Expression of interest - Senior Consultant / Associate Director, Workplace Strategy

Associate Director Workplace Strategy, Singapore

Workplace Strategies (WPS) is part of the fast-growing business line of Advisory & Transaction (A&T), Advisory within CBRE. The WPS business provides advice to corporate occupiers of commercial real estate who are seeking to optimize business performance by releasing the value within their property portfolio and aligning real estate strategy to corporate business strategy.

Specialist services include:

• Location analysis - Strategic real estate location analysis and planning
• Portfolio optimisation - Development of strategic plans for property portfolios
• Feasibility and needs analysis - Real estate impact analysis on corporate performance
• Optimization of work style and workplace relationship - adoption of flexible way of working
• Workplace Research and Strategy - evaluation of current workplace from multi facets, and building future workplace strategy
• Change Management - training and educating occupiers about new way of working, aligning business leaders to adopt change, and evaluating the effect of workplace on performance.

The Team:

Workplace Strategies support enterprising clients in delivering a more effective working environment. An environment aligned to the needs of their business, and geared to generating improved productivity and cost efficiency. Whether supporting the recruitment and retention of talent; or simply underpinning a broader portfolio optimization initiative, workplace strategy has a growing influence in driving superior business performance.

One of our main aims is to drive business performance through our people, who we see as a key differentiator from other consultant organizations operating in the same space.

The philosophy behind our recruitment process is to bring into the team individuals who are self motivated with a 'can do' attitude and who have a breadth of relevant past experience in dynamic workplaces. Candidates will generally have been involved in developing workplace strategies, implementing programs with a strong element of change and in building effective communications networks with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation. We value the ability to think creatively while acting strategically.

Generally projects have a finite time limit and so we want to employ individuals who can grow organically and diversify if they want to, developing themselves in whichever direction they want that supports Workplace Strategies and its various work streams, enjoying a variety of different experiences.

CBRE WPS teams are deeply connected within APAC region, as well as globally. We share knowledge, insights, and data within the team to empower each other for greater services to our clients. This collaborative, supportive, team-spirit is essential in anyone who joins the team.

The talent and skills are we looking for

The people who work on our team come from diverse backgrounds: MBAs, change managers, corporate communications, technology, designers, psychology, organizational behaviour and others. All of us are pursuing a passion to create better and more meaningful environments for people to work in. We are looking for people who are excellent communicators who are not intimidated talking to very senior people in our client organisations. Lateral thinking, dealing with ambiguity, persistence and a willingness to put forward alternative ideas are all important traits. Candidates will generally have been involved in developing workplace strategies, and/or implementing programs with a strong element of change and in building effective communications networks with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation All roles will include engagement with client managers and staff, collection and review of data about workplaces, capturing and assessing different work styles in an organisation and the preparation of well-structured and well written strategies and reports. We have an established set of tools and playbooks to support our processes.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead a team to deliver on-going Workplace and Change Management projects
• Execute strategy and change engagements
• Conduct research activities, excel analytics, leadership interviews and host and lead workshops
• Ability to draft change communication plans, templates and implement change in organisation
• Drive synergies across the practice areas, including shared business development resources, assignment staffing and marketing approaches.
• Ensure quality staff and career pathing/progression among team members.
• Ensure compliance with CBRE policies including fee sharing, licensing requirements, subcontractor liability, etc.
• Drive partnerships and cross-marketing efforts with other CBRE consulting practices, Brokerage, Capital Markets, Project Management, Facilities Management and other divisions of the company.
• Work with the A&T leadership team to manage all aspects of client service and delivery as needed, including budget management, client interaction, staff direction, review of project-related products, and client presentations. Resolve and/or facilitate escalations as needed.
• Collaborate with A&T leadership team to ensure optimal and efficient use of staff resources at and below the engagement leader level
• Foster a "one team" practice.
• Lead the practice's contribution to the global CBRE practice in partnership with Asia leaders.

Secondary Responsibilities (applicable based on candidates experience):

• Manage a local geographic WPS team who are responsible for delivering the overall CBRE program of works for a variety of client projects.
• Drive profitability, business development and revenue expansion for the WPS team as outlined in business plan and approved budgets.
• Drive market-recognized thought leadership, product development, standards of excellence, and quality control across the practice areas.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Manages the planning, organization and controls for separate activities across the practice.

Key Requirements:

Experience

Proven, measurable expertise in every aspect of workplace strategies and relevant project management approaches, tools and phases of the project lifecycle

Successful experience managing a P&L and project-based work.

Demonstrated team leadership skills

Possesses strong experience in managing a diverse workforce including sales, operations and expense management

Fosters a strong service-orientation and an "advisory role" in client relationships

Has strong understanding of industry and demonstrates knowledge/capabilities in the areas of financial analysis, business administration, legal, human resources, ethical practices, marketing, business development and sales

Demonstrates the ability to think strategically and to synthesize the business and financial data

Utilizes an entrepreneurial approach and develops innovative solutions.

Experience of large and small scale organizational change initiatives

Previous implementation management experience is essential

Experience of high level facilitation and delivery of focussed business interventions

Proven exposure at senior management level with a core role in strategic development

Communication

Ability to comprehend, analyse and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to employees, clients, top management and /or public groups. Ability to motivate and negotiate effectively with key employees, top management and client groups.

Financial Knowledge

Possess advanced financial skills and knowledge to review the complex financial reports prepared by others and to make recommendations to executives that impact the line of business.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve advanced problems and deal with a variety of options in complex situations. Requires expert level analytical and quantitative skills.

Draws upon the analysis of others and makes recommendations that have direct impact on the division/line of business/company.

Other skills and/or abilities

A strong entrepreneurial and creative spirit

Some knowledge and understanding of all facets of property and asset management, leasing, brokerage, marketing, and financial reporting

Is flexible and adept at handling multiple priorities and initiatives

Displays excellent organisational skills

Exceptional communication skills - both written and verbal in English

Able to work effectively and diplomatically at all levels in an organization

Excellent active listening skills

Problem solving and root cause identification skills.

Strong analytic and decision making abilities.

Must be a team player and able to work with and through others.

Ability to influence others and move toward a common vision or goal.

A solid understanding of behavioural change and the change process.

Innovative and creative approach to problem-solving

Qualifications / Professional Membership

Relevant Degree or Master's Degree, and industry certifications.