Director, Real Estate & Facilities

Appian•McLean, VA

About The Position

Lead the global strategy and execution of Appian's corporate real estate portfolio, capital projects, and workplace operations—shaping inspiring environments that fuel innovation and support our rapidly scaling AI-Powered Process Automation business. The Real Estate and Facilities team serves as a strategic partner to business units by aligning Appian's corporate physical footprint with enterprise growth goals in AI-Powered Process Automation. This team optimizes capital deployment and drives long-term portfolio value while designing, delivering, and operating inspiring, inclusive, and agile workspaces. You will champion corporate culture, enhance employee well-being, and empower a global workforce to innovate across multiple office locations worldwide. As Appian scales its AI-Powered Process Automation platform globally, we need a visionary facilities leader to transform our real estate strategy and workplace experience. This role offers the rare opportunity to shape the physical environments where groundbreaking enterprise technology is built—balancing growth, sustainability, and employee experience across a dynamic global footprint. You will drive meaningful impact by ensuring our spaces reflect our innovation-first culture while optimizing millions in capital investment.

Requirements

Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Real Estate, Facilities Management, Architecture, Engineering, or related field
10+ years of progressive experience in corporate real estate, facilities management, and workplace strategy
Demonstrated expertise managing workplace strategy, space planning, and facility operations for technology or high-growth enterprises
Capital budget management experience including forecasting, financial modeling, and multi-million dollar project portfolio oversight
Advanced proficiency with MS Office, MS Project, Google Suite, facilities management systems, and physical security platforms
Exceptional project management capabilities with ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives and competing priorities
5+ years of leadership experience managing multi-office global environments and Workplace or Facilities programs and teams

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business Administration, or related discipline
Experience with AutoCAD, Revit, or other design and space planning software applications
Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills with ability to influence senior executives and cross-functional teams
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and execute strategic initiatives in fast-paced, high-growth technology environments

Responsibilities

Lead a comprehensive global real estate portfolio strategy that aligns facility investments with business growth objectives and optimizes total cost of ownership across multiple geographies
Oversee multi-million dollar capital budget planning, forecasting, and project pipeline management for office expansions, renovations, and new site acquisitions
Partner with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to translate workplace strategy into actionable facility designs that enhance employee experience and operational efficiency
Negotiate and manage complex vendor contracts, service agreements, and lease terms to maximize value and mitigate risk across the global portfolio
Oversee facilities operations including physical security systems, building maintenance, space planning, and workplace services to ensure safe, compliant, and high-performing environments
Execute project management for construction, build-outs, and office reconfigurations by interpreting blueprints, coordinating contractors, and delivering on-time, on-budget results
Drive workplace innovation initiatives that support hybrid work models, sustainability goals, and evolving employee needs in a fast-paced growth environment
Establish metrics, reporting frameworks, and operational dashboards to measure facility performance, space utilization, and return on real estate investments
Manage and develop a high-performing Facilities team, fostering a culture of service excellence and continuous improvement