Senior Workplace Manager

Join AIRs Workplace Management team as a Senior Workplace Manager and play a leadership role in strengthening resilient scalable and high-performing workplace operations. This role supports AIRs multi-site portfolio by advancing operational service continuity portfolio planning complex project delivery systems improvement transition planning and team capability. This position reports to the Director of Workplace Management.

You will serve as a senior operational leader integrating daily workplace operations real estate and portfolio priorities project execution systems innovation vendor and budget accountability and people development to improve service quality reduce risk and support AIRs evolving workplace needs.

This position is an in-office role requiring four designated days per week in AIRs Arlington Virginia office. Occasional travel for meetings training sessions site visits and/or professional conferences may be required.

About AIR:

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington Virginia the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities:

The Senior Workplace Manager will:

• Lead workplace operations and service continuity across AIRs multi-site portfolio by setting priorities managing workload distribution maintaining service standards and mitigating operational risk during periods of transition and change.
• Support portfolio planning and workplace strategy by contributing to space utilization analysis location planning occupancy decisions real estate-related projects and recommendations that align workplace resources with AIRs evolving business needs.
• Manage complex workplace projects and programs including renovations relocations decommissionings infrastructure upgrades and other portfolio initiatives ensuring scope timelines budgets quality expectations and cross-functional coordination are effectively managed.
• Improve systems processes and data practices by optimizing workplace tools advancing automation and digitization strengthening reporting and establishing scalable practices that support efficient operations and continuous improvement.
• Support transition planning and knowledge continuity by documenting critical processes strengthening knowledge transfer identifying operational gaps and helping convert individual knowledge into scalable team practices.
• Lead team development and workforce planning by coaching direct and indirect reports supporting career development strengthening accountability and helping shape future team structures through hiring onboarding and role clarity.
• Strengthen vendor budget and partner accountability through vendor strategy procurement coordination contract and service agreement oversight cost and value analysis budget discipline and performance management.
• Ensure risk management compliance safety and emergency preparedness are embedded into workplace operations and aligned with organizational policies operational standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Advance sustainability and environmental stewardship through energy efficiency waste reduction responsible resource management and vendor partnership.
• Build strong cross-functional communication and workplace experience partnerships with HR Technology and Finance offices vendors and other stakeholders to support alignment collaboration inclusive service delivery and effective workplace experience outcomes.
• Early Priorities
• Understand AIRs current workplace operations portfolio staffing structure systems and key service expectations.
• Identify operational risks workload gaps process dependencies and opportunities to strengthen service continuity.
• Support transition planning knowledge transfer and documentation of critical Workplace Management processes.
• Partner with the Director of Workplace Management to support role clarity team alignment and practical operating practices that strengthen collaboration and service delivery.
• Advance priority workplace projects including relocations decommissionings systems improvements and service delivery enhancements.
• Adapt responsibilities as business needs evolve.

Qualifications:

Education Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelors degree required; degree in facilities management business administration real estate operations engineering architecture or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in workplace management facilities management corporate real estate operations or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of people leadership experience including coaching performance management and developing team capability.
• Proven experience leading complex workplace projects or programs such as relocations renovations decommissionings infrastructure upgrades systems initiatives or multi-site operational improvements.
• Experience managing vendor relationships budgets contracts service delivery expectations or operational performance metrics preferred.
• Professional certification such as CFM FMP BOC PMP LEED or similar credential preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage workplace technology platforms and data such as work order systems room reservation tools IWMS access control dashboards and space planning applications to support project execution measure operational performance and guide continuous improvement.

Skills

• Strong communicator and relationship builder who translates stakeholder needs into clear priorities influences alignment and collaborates effectively across virtual cross-functional teams vendors and partners.
• Experienced project and program manager who leads multiple priorities in fast-paced environments manages deliverables from planning through completion and balances scope quality budget and timelines.
• Strategic analytical problem solver who uses sound judgment critical thinking data and process insight to navigate ambiguity anticipate risks and improve outcomes.
• Collaborative people leader who mentors others sets clear standards strengthens accountability and drives adoption of best practices across teams.
• Change-oriented and technology-fluent leader who adapts quickly learns new tools and uses workplace platforms Microsoft Office digital automation reporting and emerging technology tools to improve deliverables and operational effectiveness.
• Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to balance day-to-day execution long-term priorities service quality business needs and scalable operational practices.

Disclosures:Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basisof any characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local law including but not limited to actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race such as hair texture hair type and protective hairstyles such as braid locks and twists) creed color religion alienage or national origin ancestry citizenship status age physical or mental disability medical condition (e.g. cancer) sex gendergender identity or expression (including transgender status) sexual orientation marital status civil union status pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions genetic information or military or veteran adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE:If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability please send an email to Taliba Boone ator call 202.403.5000.

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