Senior Manager, Facilities Operations, International

About the role

This role leads international facility operations after project transfer to ensure reliable, consistent performance across a global portfolio.

Operations teams keep a business running smoothly. They manage processes, vendors, and logistics across the company. The work includes planning, coordination, and continuous improvement. Strong operators are organized, pragmatic, and comfortable with change. Operations teams run on routines, checklists, and clear escalation paths. Most companies expect operators to document what they do so anyone can step in.

Key facts

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Location: UK

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Engagement: International Office Entity

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Team: Reports into the Global Facilities organization

• Years: 12+ progressive experience; 5+ years leading regional operations
• Degree: Bachelor's in facilities management, engineering, operations, construction, business, or related field

What you'll do

Regional operating models are established with clear site accountability and standardized service delivery. Facility reliability, workplace services, landlord, vendor, and site-continuity issues are escalated to this senior international point.

Site risk registers, vendor-performance views, critical-action plans, and forward-looking capacity and lifecycle concerns are maintained. Performance is managed through common KPIs and operating reviews, with resources prioritized and material decisions escalated.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in facilities management, engineering, operations, construction, business, or a related field is required. 12+ years of progressive experience in facilities management, integrated facilities management, corporate real estate operations, engineering operations, or a comparable field is mandatory. 5+ years leading complex multi-site or regional operations, including direct people leadership and outsourced service provider management, is required. Experience supporting manufacturing, engineering, laboratories, aviation, critical infrastructure, secure environments, or other technically complex work is required. Demonstrated ownership of operating budgets, forecasts, contracts, vendor performance, service levels, and facility risk is required. Strong working knowledge of maintenance, building systems, preventive maintenance, work-order management, asset lifecycle, and incident response is required. Proven ability to build teams, standardize operations, and drive accountability across geographically dispersed locations is required. Executive-level communication and judgment translate technical and operational issues into clear business decisions. Frequent travel and responsiveness to time-sensitive facility priorities as required are mandatory.

Nice to have

Experience in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, technology, or other high-growth regulated environments is preferred. Experience with SCIFs, classified environments, hangars, high-bay spaces, production facilities, or 24/7 critical operations is preferred. Experience establishing regional operating models or scaling Facilities operations across a rapidly growing portfolio is preferred. Familiarity with CMMS/EAM, IWMS, service-management, building-automation, business-intelligence, and financial systems is preferred. CFM, FMP, CPMM, IFMA, engineering, project-management, or related professional credentials are preferred. Experience leading major vendor transitions, IFM sourcing, commissioning, or project turnover is preferred. Current or prior security clearance, or experience operating in controlled-access environments, is preferred.

Practical notes

Typical interview steps

Operations interviews usually include a process scenario, an analytics question, and behavioral rounds. Candidates may be asked to improve a workflow or plan an event. Attention to detail and clear communication are tested throughout. Interviewers often ask how you would fix a process that is failing. Walking through diagnosis, a plan, and measurement is the winning structure.

Good to know

Facilities operations span site readiness, maintenance, vendor management, and risk oversight in technically complex environments. Success depends on balancing standardized processes with local mission requirements. The role requires executive judgment, financial discipline, and comfort with frequent travel. Common tools include CMMS/EAM, IWMS, and service-management platforms. Clear communication and structured decision-making are essential at executive and operational levels.

Career growth

Operations careers grow from coordinator to manager, director, and chief operating officer roles. Some people specialize in supply chain, facilities, or program management. Success depends on reliability and on improving the systems you own. Operations careers reward reliability and continuous improvement. Operators who quantify the impact of their fixes move into leadership fastest.