GDS Ops WES leader

Job Title: Associate Director Workplace Enablement Services (WES)

Job Summary

The Associate Director WES Operations will lead the strategy transformation and governance of the firms workplace ecosystem to deliver an exceptional experience for our people and clients. The role blends operational excellence with visionary leadership to create safe sustainable and people-centric workplaces that promote collaboration innovation and business agility.

Working closely with leadership across Service Lines Enablement Functions and Global Teams the Associate Director will ensure the firms workplaces align with its values purpose and strategic priorities supporting one integrated global brand.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Transformation
• • Develop a forward-looking workplace strategy aligned with the firms hybrid work model business growth and global standards.
  • Lead continuous improvement and operational transformation programs emphasizing experience efficiency and sustainability.
  • Leverage technology data and analytics to optimize operational decisions and future space planning.
  • Partner with business leadership to translate organizational needs into actionable scalable workplace solutions.

• Workplace Design Space Utilization & Real Estate Operations
  • Oversee space and real estate strategy to ensure optimal utilization flexibility and alignment with business needs.
  • Collaborate with global real estate and design teams to maintain premium workplace aesthetics and functionality.
  • Conduct predictive utilization studies to inform long-term capacity and investment decisions.

• Facilities & Operations Excellence
  • Manage delivery of high-quality safe hygienic and efficient facilities operations supporting seamless business continuity.
  • Drive vendor governance performance monitoring and global process standardization.
  • Advance ESG and sustainability initiatives within workplace operations supporting firm-wide environmental goals.
  • Manage financial and commercial budgets with the ability to optimize operational costs while enhancing experience and service quality.

• Safety Security & Well-being
  • Oversee comprehensive safety security and business resilience programs.
  • Foster a culture of compliance prevention and proactive risk management.
  • Drive health and well-being initiatives ensuring the workplace supports physical and psychological safety.

• Guest Experience & Hospitality Services
  • Lead hospitality event and mobility services consistent with the firms brand promise of Exceptional Client Service.
  • Manage logistics for meetings conferences travel and global mobility requirements including visas accommodation and onboarding for inbound travellers.
  • Ensure an elevated client and visitor experience integrating professionalism and efficiency.

• Employee Transport & Mobility
  • Direct employee transportation programs that ensure safety reliability and operational efficiency.
  • Implement technology-based transport monitoring and route optimization tools.
  • Align Employee Transport services with inclusion well-being and flexible working policies.

Cross-Functional Integration & Reporting Structure

This position will directly report to the India Location Leader/ Chief Operating Officer and work in close partnership with:

• Real Estate & Facilities to align property strategy design and operations with firm growth and sustainability objectives.
• Human Resources to integrate workplace programs with employee engagement inclusion and well-being initiatives.
• Technology & Digital Transformation to embed smart workplace technologies analytics and automation into daily operations.
• Finance for budgeting forecasting and cost optimization governance.
• Risk Compliance & Security to uphold safety standards business continuity and regulatory adherence.
• Global Shared Services & Sustainability Teams to ensure consistency with global frameworks and firm-wide ESG commitments.

Leadership Behaviours & Culture Alignment

• Integrity: Demonstrates ethical leadership transparent governance and accountability in all operations.
• Inclusive Leadership: Promotes diversity equity and belonging in workplace decisions and team management.
• Innovation: Champions new technologies digital tools and sustainable practices that future-proof the workplace.
• Collaboration: Builds trusted relationships across functions and geographies for shared success.
• Excellence: Embodies the firms commitment to high performance and Exceptional Client Service.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Engineering Facilities Management or Business Administration; MBA or masters preferred.
• 15 years of progressive experience in Workplace operations corporate real estate hospitality or facilities management within professional services (Big 4 experience preferred).
• Demonstrable expertise in operational transformation cost optimization and cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong stakeholder management strategic thinking and data-driven leadership skills.
• Experience managing large distributed teams third-party vendors and multi-site portfolios.

Core Competencies

• Strategic and Analytical Leadership
• Operational Transformation & Process Optimization
• Global Collaboration & Governance
• Employee-Centric Design & Engagement
• Business Continuity & Risk Management
• Sustainability & Innovation Mindset

Performance Metrics

• Employee engagement and satisfaction scores
• Operational cost reduction and efficiency benchmarks
• Space utilization safety and sustainability KPIs
• Service quality and compliance audit results
• Client and visitor experience ratings

Shorter executive summary version

Associate Director Workplace Enablement Services (WES)

Role Overview

The Associate Director Workplace Enablement Services (WES) leads the strategic transformation of the firms workplaces into innovative safe and people-centric environments that enable exceptional client service. This role focuses on operational excellence cost optimization and employee experiencedelivering scalable efficient and sustainable solutions that reflect the firms global standards and culture of integrity collaboration and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and execute workplace strategy aligning with firm growth hybrid working and business agility.
• Lead end-to-end management of facilities real estate safety and workplace services ensuring operational excellence and continuity.
• Oversee space planning predictive utilization and sustainable workplace design to enhance productivity and efficiency.
• Drive digital transformation through analytics automation and smart workplace solutions.
• Ensure robust safety security and well-being programs that uphold a risk-free compliant and inclusive work environment.
• Manage hospitality guest experience to ensure seamless client and employee service.
• Direct employee transportation programs that ensure safety reliability and operational efficiency including technology implementation considering inclusion wellbeing and flexible working policies.
• Collaborate closely with Real Estate HR Technology Finance and Risk & Compliance teams to deliver integrated workplace outcomes.

Leadership & Culture

• Acts with integrity transparency and accountability in all operations.
• Fosters inclusivity and well-being while empowering teams across geographies.
• Champions innovation and continuous improvement.
• Promotes collaboration and shared success across all business functions.
• Delivers excellence consistent with the firms global brand and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Business Engineering or Facilities Management; MBA preferred.
• 15 years of progressive experience in Workplace operations corporate real estate hospitality or facilities management within professional services.
• Proven experience in operational transformation cost management and cross-functional leadership.
• Strong financial stakeholder engagement and vendor governance acumen.

Success Indicators

• Enhanced employee engagement and workplace satisfaction.
• Operational cost efficiency and sustainability performance.
• Improved space utilization and service delivery metrics.
• Safety compliance and client experience excellence.

Professional-ready job posting template

Associate Director Workplace Enablement Services (WES)

Function: Operations

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to join our team as the Associate Director Workplace Enablement Services (WES). This role will shape the future of our workplacestransforming them into safe sustainable and human-centred environments that empower our people and enable exceptional client outcomes.

The successful candidate will drive strategic workplace transformation initiatives optimize operations and create innovative scalable solutions that enhance employee experience operational efficiency and business agility. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact by redefining how we work connect and collaborate across our global network.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of a forward-focused workplace strategy aligned with firm priorities hybrid work models and sustainability goals.
• Oversee end-to-end operations across real estate facilities management safety and hospitality servicesensuring efficiency compliance and continuity.
• Drive digital and process transformation initiatives that enhance space utilization workplace performance and employee well-being.
• Partner with Service Line Leaders Real Estate Talent Technology Risk and Finance to deliver integrated people-centric solutions.
• Build and sustain a culture of safety inclusivity and performance excellence across all firm locations.
• Ensure premium client and visitor experience through seamless high-touch hospitality and mobility services.
• Direct employee transportation programs that ensure safety reliability and operational efficiency including technology implementation considering inclusion wellbeing and flexible working policies.

What Were Looking For

• 15 years of progressive experience in Workplace operations corporate real estate hospitality or facilities management within professional services.
• Strong strategic leadership and transformation experience in managing complex multi-site operations.
• Solid financial and commercial acumen with the ability to optimize operational costs while enhancing experience and service quality.
• Experience leading through influence collaboration and cross-functional partnerships.
• Deep understanding of workplace innovation sustainability and global health & safety standards.
• Bachelors degree in Engineering Business Administration or Facilities Management; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.

Leadership & Culture

• Integrity Acting with transparency ethics and accountability.
• Collaboration Building trusted relationships across functions and borders.
• Innovation Driving continuous improvement and embracing new ways of working.
• Inclusion Creating an environment where every voice is heard valued and respected.
• Excellence Upholding the highest standards in everything we do.

Success Measures

• Improved employee engagement and workplace satisfaction scores.
• Operational efficiency and cost optimization achievements.
• Enhancement of sustainability health and safety metrics.
• Exceptional client and visitor experience ratings.