Director of Facilities and Workplace Experience

Akin • Washington, WA

1d • $175,000 - $275,000

About The Position

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Director of Facilities and Workplace Experience, working under the general supervision and direction of the Senior Director of Operations - U.S. The role can reside in the Philadelphia or Washington, DC office and will be responsible for providing U.S. wide functional leadership for Office Services across all U.S. offices, partnering with Local Office Administrators and their onsite Office Services Managers and Coordinators to drive consistent, technology‑enabled operations, optimize vendor relationships and equipment standards, and support strategic real estate and workplace initiatives. The role will help shape how people use space while optimizing back-of-house functions and partnering with client-facing front of house teams to ensure seamless delivery of workplace experience. Key areas of focus include facilities management; space utilization - hoteling, renovation and maintenance; office services; security; lease administration; and oversight of technology platforms that support these areas. The Director of Facilities and Workplace Experience is expected to perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s attorneys, advisors and staff, while maintaining an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Business Administration, Operations, or a related field; advanced degree or certification preferred.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in facilities, workplace, real estate, or corporate operations management in a multi-office, cross cultural environment with major law firms, professional services firms or other similarly sophisticated institutions.
• Demonstrated experience managing vendors and contracts, supporting lease and construction projects, and leading distributed teams; strong communication, negotiation, and change‑management skills
• Strong knowledge of real estate lease administration, vendor contract management, and office services operations.
• Demonstrated track record in managing large-scale operational projects, including technology implementations and significant office buildouts.
• Expertise with operational technology platforms such as ServiceNow, PS Ship, hoteling platforms and lease management systems.
• Proficiency in office equipment used on a regular basis including computers, printers, copy machines, facsimile machines and telephones.
• Proven leadership experience managing multi-office teams and vendor relationships.
• Ability to operate strategically.
• Strong leadership skills and willingness to function as a role model across offices.
• Proven experience driving positive transformation and innovation in a professional services setting.
• Knowledge of OSHA and other relevant state and federal laws related to the support departments.
• Excellent judgment and common sense.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to organize self and others, work independently, take initiative and see projects through to completion.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Ability to meet deadlines and respond to changing priorities.
• Ability to handle many tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work with a wide range of people in a team setting and ability to establish effective working relationships within the department, office, firm, clients, vendors and others outside the firm.
• Strong service orientation.
• Commitment to professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Office Services and Operations Support Develop and maintain expectations, standards, processes and metrics for Office Services while respecting direct reporting lines. Partner with Local Office Administrators to implement and monitor these standards and address gaps across offices. Conduct monthly meetings with OS teams nationwide to align processes and performance. Oversee tracking and reporting of service performance metrics using ServiceNow and provide regular updates to firm leadership. Lead U.S. strategy for office services vendors and equipment (copiers/MFDs, mail/courier, supplies, etc.), including RFPs, renewals, standards, and pricing. Establish preferred standards for equipment models, service levels, and refresh cycles, and advise local offices on purchases and changes. Key business services owner for vendor relationships and contracts such as Xerox, Copitrak, PS Ship, UPS, EMS, and others to optimize purchasing power and ensure best practices in contract management. Support the Senior Director of Operations on business resumption planning for Office Services and Facilities including annual updates of emergency procedures across U.S. offices
• Facilities Management & Lease Administration Support the Senior Director of Operations with all real estate documentation and activities including renewals, expansions, and consolidations, gathering and maintaining data and partnering with brokers and internal stakeholders, as needed. Maintain HarborFlex or equivalent lease management databases; track key lease dates, options, and obligations notifying firm management, as needed, of upcoming deadlines. Manage subtenant invoicing, operating expense and real estate tax reconciliations, and chargebacks to ensure accurate and timely payments. Support hoteling initiatives, working closely with Office Services and Guest Services on implementation and protocols along with IT on necessary technology enhancements. Review and analyze attendance data to make recommendations for best practices in space utilization and hoteling initiatives. Oversee operational setup when opening new offices, including procurement of equipment, supplies, and services such as catering, conference support, security, and copiers. Participate in tenant improvement projects of varying scope, including RFP processes for construction, architecture, consultants and project management services. Coordinate signage installations and updates in alignment with firm branding standards. Oversee compliance of real estate and construction related contracts, including review with General Counsel and outside counsel as needed. Partner with IT to manage security installations, upgrades, and vendor coordination across U.S. offices to include budgeting and ensuring compliance with local regulatory requirements. Identify and implement appropriate security protocols and procedures in compliance with GC guidelines and best practices to ensure the security of our U.S. offices.
• Technology Innovation and Contract Management Serve as the primary business owner for operations technology platforms, including Eptura, ServiceNow, EMS, HarborFlex, Office Depot purchasing platforms, PS Ship, package tracking systems, and other related tools. Evaluate, recommend, and implement new platforms and tools in partnership with IT to increase efficiency and service delivery. Use data and reporting from these systems (e.g., usage, service levels, occupancy, costs) to recommend operational improvements. Manage contract reviews, negotiate vendor agreements, and ensure compliance with firm and legal standards.
• Budgeting Develop and manage the operating and capital budgets for facilities and office services, including forecasting, variance analysis, and long‑range planning for capital projects.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director