We are looking for an exceptional Director of Workplace Operations to own and elevate the experience of our global offices. This is a high-impact role for someone who combines strategic vision with operational excellence and genuinely cares about how people experience work every day. Our Workplace team sets the tone for how employees and visitors feel the moment they walk through our doors. We hold ourselves to an exceptionally high standard — designing environments that feel human, energizing, and welcoming, and programming spaces that foster connection, productivity, and a sense of belonging. In this role, you will shape and execute our global workplace strategy, oversee facilities and vendor relationships, and collaborate closely with teams across People, IT, Security, and Finance. You will also partner with leadership to ensure our physical environments reflect and support Perplexity's culture and talent strategy — helping us attract and retain the best people in the world.
This role is fully onsite and requires someone who is entrepreneurial, highly organized, hospitality-minded, and energized by building something exceptional from the ground up.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and support the development and execution of the workplace strategy and vision, aligned with company values and objectives
Define and drive long-term goals for workplace experience, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities
Partner with Event Managers to curate in-office experiences that encourage gathering and collaboration, in lieu of an in-office mandate, while creating an equally welcoming experience for non-local employees and visitors
Promote a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and productivity across all office environments
Develop, maintain, and oversee detailed budget proposals for workplace initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals
Manage and oversee budget ownership and ensure accurate allocation of spending, including identifying cost-savings opportunities across facilities and services
Review, approve, and manage invoices to support compliance and transparency in workplace expenditures
Build and nurture strong relationships with internal partners and stakeholders to ensure alignment on workplace initiatives
Partner on quality, service, and maintenance standards across all office facilities
Lead and implement standardized workplace programs, policies, and practices in collaboration with local office leads
Manage key workplace services including food and snack provisioning, site safety, emergency response planning, cleaning services, and front desk and guest services
Ensure proactive planning and preventive maintenance across all physical spaces
Partner with internal teams to support workplace health and safety programs
Oversee emergency preparedness protocols, ensuring all employees are trained and equipped to respond effectively
Qualifications
Must be located within commutable distance to our San Francisco office; this is a fully onsite role, with weekly travel to our Palo Alto office as needed
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Facilities Management, Operations Management, or a related field preferred
8-10+ years of experience in leading workplace operations, facilities management, and hospitality with 3+ years in a leadership role
Strong understanding of office space management, food services, maintenance, and employee experience best practices
Experience working in high-growth, fast-paced environments
Exceptional project management skills with a proven track record of delivering initiatives on time and within budget
Knowledge of workplace safety, compliance protocols, and emergency preparedness
Experience managing and scaling workplace operations across multiple locations preferred
Demonstrated ability to lead innovative, cost-effective workplace enhancements while delivering exceptional employee experiences
Strong vendor management expertise and stakeholder communication skills
Ability to proactively align workplace services with evolving company needs and priorities
Proven ability to influence key stakeholders and drive strategic, company-wide initiatives effectively