Head of Workplace Strategy & Operations

About the Role:

We're looking for someone who genuinely loves building great workplaces - a hands-on leader who can think big about global strategy while still caring deeply about the details that make an office a place our employees actually want to be. You'll own the experience across our offices in San Francisco, New York, Austin, London, and Berlin, and help us continue to build out our spaces as we grow.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise and knows how to use it creatively by cutting through unnecessary steps, making the right calls quickly, and delivering high-quality outcomes without defaulting to the obvious path. We need someone who thinks differently to get things done with both speed and intentionality. Most importantly, you won't wait for perfect. Instead, you'll ship, learn, and keep making it better. This role is based in San Francisco 5 days a week.

What You Will Do:

Global Strategy & Expansion

• Own our global real estate and workplace strategy,stay tightly connected to where the business is headed and anticipate what we'll need next
• Lead site selection, lease negotiations, and build-outs that set us up to scale without overbuilding
• Develop standards for new offices that ensure every office feels like Vercel, but is flexible enough to have the local vibe
• Partner closely with senior leadership and site leaders to gather input, build alignment, and ensure long-term real estate plans reflect both business priorities and the on-the-ground reality of each location

Workplace Experience

• Create spaces where our teams want to gather and are designed for real collaboration, focus, wellness, and a sense of belonging
• Be the guardian of Vercel's brand and aesthetic in the physical world and ensure every office feels unmistakably us
• Partner with our internal Design team to make sure the culture shows up in the walls, not just the website
• Sweat the details that make a workplace feel thoughtful, from the snacks to the layout to the moments that make people feel seen
• Work closely with People and IT so the physical space actually supports how employees work and grow

Facilities Operations, Safety & Security

• Own day-to-day operations across all our locations with consistency and care
• Build and run physical security programs that protect our people, including Executive Protection for our senior leaders
• Develop health, safety, and compliance programs that are taken seriously without being bureaucratic
• Manage the vendor ecosystem and hold partners to high standards while building relationships that actually work

Budgeting & Vendor Management

• Own the workplace budget and make smart tradeoffs,balancing investment with resourcefulness
• Source and negotiate with global vendors who meet our bar for quality, reliability, and values

About You:

• 8-10 years of experience in Facilities, Workplace Experience, Security and/or Real Estate leadership, including leading teams of various sizes
• Proven success at companies in the high tech space that evolved into first spaces, multiple spaces and then to regional spaces, with a track record of being scrappy, creative, and resourceful in scaling operations efficiently
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and credibility with senior leadership and site leaders, driving alignment on long-term real estate strategy as well as day-to-day operations
• Passion for creating people-centered, inclusive environments, through design and experiences
• Belief in the power of design and brand to build meaningful workplace experiences and engagement with a strong aesthetic sensibility and an eye for how physical space reinforces brand identity
• Experience establishing and managing physical security programs, including day-to-day security operations and Executive Protection
• Proven ability to build, develop, and empower a team by fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and local impact
• Strong project management and vendor negotiation skills
• Experience building relationships and collaborating with the Executive Team, People, IT, Legal, Finance and other business leaders
• Strong change management skills, especially in growth phases

Bonus If You Have:

• FMP® (Facility Management Professional) – IFMA
• SFP® (Sustainability Facility Professional) – IFMA
• LEED Accreditation – U.S. Green Building Council
• Project Management Certification (e.g. PMP) – a plus
• OSHA or local safety compliance training

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package, including equity.
• Inclusive Healthcare Package.
• Learn and Grow - we provide mentorship and send you to events that help you build your network and skills.
• Flexible Time Off.
• We will provide you the gear you need to do your role, and a WFH budget for you to outfit your space as needed.

The San Francisco, CA base pay range for this role is $220,000-$265,000. Actual salary will be based on job-related skills, experience, and location. Compensation outside of San Francisco may be adjusted based on employee location. The total compensation package may include benefits, equity-based compensation, and eligibility for a company bonus or variable pay program depending on the role. Your recruiter can share more details during the hiring process. 

Vercel is committed to fostering and empowering an inclusive community within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Vercel encourages everyone to apply for our available positions, even if they don't necessarily check every box on the job description.