Head of Real Estate & Corporate Facilities

Summary

The Head of Real Estate and Corporate Facilities (non technical) will lead the evolution of our growing and expanding business in the opening, constructing, relocating and remodeling of the areas where Spark does business. He/she will lead, develop and execute strategies in support of the business, build and lead organizational capability, and implement efficient systems to achieve a best-in-class Real Estate & Corporate Facilities function.

He/she will advise and influence senior management on real estate and facilities best practices (policy, governance, strategic planning, operating models and processes etc.) This role is responsible for defining and developing short, medium and long-range site master planning, controlling and directing enterprise wide real estate and corporate facilities activities across all global sites. Develop and lead all design, construction and program management including the strategic investment review, planning and execution of capital construction projects, new facilities and major renovations. He/she will be a critical business partner to Corporate Management Team to ensure business strategy and end user requirements are captured, designed, delivered and reflective of our culture and shared values. They will oversee real estate and corporate facility operations, develop site analysis, make recommendations for real estate strategy based on business needs and market conditions which support the Spark’s objectives and successfully execute the strategy.

Responsibilities

Develop Spark’s Real Estate strategy for the short, medium and long term, aligned with Spark’s strategic business priorities and in support of Spark’s Culture to achieve an optimal state of usage, security and compliance in a highly-regulated environment.

• Define a strategic vision for Spark’s real estate and corporate facilities aligned to the company’s strategy
• Provide guidance and thought leadership in all matters related to corporate real estate and facilities functions; develop and influence the annual and multi-year plan for the corporate real
• estate portfolio and corporate facilities operations, in alignment with the Company goals and ensure successful execution
• Develop and implement innovative real estate strategies to transform the real estate portfolio and workplace experience using quantitative and qualitative analysis, and driving alignment and decision-making process; determine the appropriate real estate model and facilities service provision including lease vs buy
• Demonstrate strong leadership by aligning real estate strategy with business objectives; establish relationships with all levels of leadership in the organization including senior management, functional stakeholders and 3rd party vendors to ensure the real estate portfolio is meeting both current needs and future business objectives
• Disseminate communication relating to vision and mission throughout the organization and deploy effective change management strategies to ensure key messages are transparently shared throughout the organization
• Drive employee engagement and retention by proactively developing workplace strategies that focus on service improvements, quality improvements, scalability, risk mitigation, industry trends and other relevant factors that positively impact workplace effectiveness

Responsibilities cont’d

Oversee the day to day global multi-site facility operations including facility management, office services, transportation, security, and the project management of facility projects. Directs team and service providers in executing the real estate and facilities strategic and operational goals.

• Identify and build the organizational capabilities required to execute against the real estate and facilities short, medium and long-term goals
• Motivate and inspire teams responsible for providing ongoing facilities and workplace experience services at each Spark site by fostering Spark’s culture, setting clear expectations, hiring and integrating talent, and coaching and mentoring teams
• Drive collaboration across the company ensuring that real estate and workplace strategies and their subsequent activities are socialized with and supported by key stakeholders
• Develop and implement standardized/best practice facility management processes and policies to create long term efficiencies and creates an optimal work environment that is aligned to our culture and values
• Develop and deploy global security program and partner with EHS on deployment of an enterprise wide safety program associated with office services such as ergonomics as well as personnel safety.

Responsibilities cont’d

Accountable for the operational plan, budgeting, finance and corporate activities. Manage real estate capital spend and operating budget, setting, and delivering on annual budgets.

• Completes financial analyses, prepare business cases and presents recommendations for Real Estate opportunities and projects
• Drives real estate standards and workplace policy standards to attain and maintain best in class portfolio productivity
• Oversees the management of leases: approvals, payment, audits, requirements, reporting, etc
• Monitors and maintains framework to review progress of each project against goals, objectives, approved budgets and timelines
• Owns capital plan development, cost forecasting and management
• Directs all facility and site related capital projects in support of the annual business plan and the longer-range site master plan

Responsibilities cont’d

Proactively evaluates real estate requirements over a rolling 5 year+ forward looking timeline, including acquisition, disposition and development of real estate, including leased and owned facilities

• Ensure all Spark office locations reflect our Culture and Values
• Responsible for overseeing analyses and documents required for real estate recommendations, approvals and execution
• Leads negotiations and finalize contracts with respect to leases, vendors, and service providers
• Directs third parties on construction, relocation and remodeling projects, vetting all aspects of each project to optimize costs and timelines and achieve overall project goals
• Oversee initiation of new office locations as well as expansion within existing Spark locations

Qualifications

• Demonstrates a long-term perspective that extends beyond the immediate initiatives; visualizes and articulates a clear direction for Spark during times of uncertainty.
• Intellectual curiosity and dedication to science, innovation, and complex problem-solving.
• Commitment to strategic priorities and an increasingly aligned and disciplined organizational strategy.

Executing for Results

• Focuses on how things are done as much as what is done; drives a culture of high performance with increased attention to discipline and process.
• Sets aspirational goals to take organizational performance to the next level, reinventing the operating model when appropriate; goes beyond conventional performance benchmarks to set world class best practice.

• Navigates change and uncertainty; is agile in responding to feedback from within and outside the organization.

Leading Teams

• Embraces and embodies the Spark values: “break the barriers, own your excellence, commit to collaborate, demonstrate the respect you seek, and above all, champion the patient”.
• Able to learn from colleagues, embraces perspectives from different backgrounds and fields, and step back to allow others to take action.
• Thoughtfully leads through influence and maintains focus on larger priorities; delegates effectively while managing performance and holding direct reports accountable.

Building Relationships and Using Influence

• Collaborates and looks to support other leaders; sees value in championing the work of the group over the individual.
• Offers enthusiasm and empathy toward other leaders and their respective departmental goals; influences and ensures alignment toward common priorities.
• Able to connect, engage in open dialogue, disagree when necessary, and compromise toward the greater good of Spark.

Requirements

• Generally has 15+ years of experience in progressively more responsible Real Estate/Corporate Facilities leadership roles in FDA regulated organizations
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Real Estate, Engineering or related field
• Must have experience in capital program strategic investment, planning and execution including large complex projects
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple real estate-related projects with delivery of timely and quality results