Director, Facilities & Real Estate,India

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

A. Position Summary:

The Director, Facilities & Real Estate – India is a key leadership position responsible for the planning, design and delivery of multi-scale office and facility enhancement projects, lease negotiations & portfolio management, and facilities management & operational services across the Pan-India portfolio.  The role works in close collaboration with the team members across Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) in APAC, UK pan-regional teams – Workplace Strategy, Design & Construction and including Health & Safety.

B. Key Responsibilities:

• Interacts, collaborates and consults with senior leaders from multiple divisions and offices in order to translate their vision of an innovative productive workspace into an actual cost-effective office design that can be implemented.  Accountability includes liaison and collaboration with JV, acquisition and new-venture businesses’ Facility and Office Managers, across the region. 
• In close partnership with the GRE/International London-based team HQ for design, as well as workplace strategy - directs all local and regional construction projects from initial customer contact through to occupancy in a manner than ensures customer satisfaction and accurate and timely completion of projects. This may involve supervising contractors and vendors activities (architects, engineers, furniture vendors, etc.) and those of other GRE team members to ensure coordinated and seamless service delivery. Ensures adherence to established frameworks at the onset of all facilities projects that set time frames, budgets and approvals needed for all team members involved.
• Develops a strategic real estate plan in conjunction with corporate manpower planning that ensures the availability of space at the right price.  Negotiates leases with significant flexibility to accommodate changing requirements and constantly looks for innovative ways to support business needs with cost effective solutions.
• Contributes to the overall management and integrity of the lease administration system that ensures accuracy of rent payments, and a timely review of notifications provided in the lease agreement. 
• Reviews and approves rent, operating and tax escalations for accuracy and proper payment and addresses lease accounting issues (ARO, TI, deposits, etc) with the appropriate Finance teams.  Plans, coordinates, and executes the budget plan for London and regional offices under budget management.  Manages facilities maintenance, repair, leasehold improvement collection, equipment maintenance and repair, and utilities.
• In close consultation with the Senior Director, establishes vision, values, goals, objectives, policies, processes and procedures related to how corporate real estate transactions and construction projects are managed.  Analyzes costs and customer requirements with industry standards to ensure cost efficient utilization of WBD facilities as well as local/regional compliance. 
• Understands industry trends and innovations and leverages them across projects in a cost-effective manner, with regards to workplace strategy, architectural design, engineering, ergonomics and furniture in order to meet business requirements with long-term reliability/maintenance/feasibility in mind. 
• Maintains management accountability for multiple hard and soft Facility Management service lines across WBD’s India office portfolio, with considerable focus in Mumbai given on-site services and personnel (Facilities Helpdesk, Handyman, Facilities Maintenance, Mailroom, Catering, Reception and Cleaning contracts). 
• Develops metrics, operational standards and processes and delivers excellent results, within a client-facing and customer service oriented team.  The role will collaborate heavily with multiple suppliers, IT, Facilities and Networks, Theatrical, GBS and IDC operational staff, as well as management at multiple levels in order to provide both operational solutions and strategic recommendations for evolving the Facilities Management area across a varied array of office locations and business units that are part of the Discovery portfolio. 
• The role will also work in close partnership with the Technical Facilities organization (peer org unit) responsible for the Engineering and Technical service maintenance across any technical centers in India, to support any needs both mission critical and daily/operational.  The role will also liaise closely with GRE across Asia-Pac, to ensure proper alignment with globally applicable approaches and standards.
• Provides leadership, direction and consultation to department and directs, as well as other WBD groups and divisions, and multiple cross-functional project teams of internal and external resources (architects, engineers, project managers, consultants, attorneys, contractors, sales representatives, distributors, equipment manufacturers, vendors, etc.) to achieve company goals.
• Reviews and / or prepares project plans, budgets, schedules and performance measures including financial statements and progress reports to ensure both departmental and overall project efficiencies.
• As a collaborative partner to the D&C leaders for International, supports the reviews of Construction Documents (CD’s), specifications, Statements of Work (SOW’s), Requests for Proposals (RFP’s), Purchase Requisitions, bids and invoices, as needed – leveraging department and professional/external resources where appropriate - to ensure implementation of the best technical and most cost-effective solution.  Supports the D&C leads during the negotiation of contract pricing, terms and conditions; cost and schedule performance; and supports the review of vendor deliverables for quality and compliance.
• Manages the Facilities Helpdesk, Handyman, Facilities Maintenance, Mailroom, and Cleaning contracts in a fair, consistent, transparent and results-oriented manner which maintains and enhances the reputation of the services provided.  Incorporates appropriate performance metrics ensuring best value from the supply chain and supplier, with regular monitoring of supplier performance against the applicable benchmarked criteria and KPIs, ensuring objectives and responsibilities are met.  Ensures that all of the suppliers in the FM supply chain are contractually compliant and ensures suppliers are working safely at all times.
• Identifies positive / negative trends in performance and continuous improvement opportunities to reduce cost, avoid unnecessary spend, improve quality and performance and takes proactive corrective action where necessary in consultation/collaboration with APAC Senior Director.
• Ensures all contract documentation is reviewed and updated and supplier service level agreements are in place and reviewed and updated, on a regular basis.  Manages contract disputes, withholding of payments, applying financial incentives and remedies.
• Ensures continuity of supply and managing supply chain risk in co-operation with the procurement function.  Coordinates all quotations and purchase order requirements and raises orders as required.  Follows-though all POs, invoices and credits as required.  Addresses statutory compliance obligations in particular and close collaboration with Health & Safety obligations to minimize the risk of failure.
• Within the context of multiple customer requests at any given time, be able to maximize utilization of resources (both internal and external) within the context of business objectives; scoping projects and estimating resources needed to achieve project objectives; developing and monitoring project schedules to ensure the timely completion of projects and effective use of resources.
• Selects, trains, develops, coaches, and assigns department staff.  Evaluates performance and conducts performance management planning.  Initiates or makes recommendations for personnel actions.  Maintains ongoing communication with subordinates to review programs, provide feedback, discuss new developments, and exchange information.
• Develops Communication Plans for special project rollouts and major initiatives.
• Responsible for compliance and related activities in including managing roster of transportation for staff, general safety and security (in collaboration with WBD security Director) and other statutory guidelines to ensure the organization is fully compliant as per law.
• Other duties as assigned.

C. Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Masters in Corporate Real Estate, Facility Management or Finance Operations preferred – technical experience in IT/Broadcast/Technical Facilities a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years senior managerial experience in operations, finance or large-scale project management.
• Must possess strong personnel management background with proven track record.
• Strong written, oral communication, and presentation skills.
• Must be able to manage and execute multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience establishing and implementing effective business processes and standard operating procedures.
• Proficiency in managing large operating and capital budgets, in a fast-pace and ever-changing environment.
• A high level of initiative, customer focus, aptitude for learning.
• Detail oriented with exceptional follow-up skills.
• Clear and concise written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to travel across the India and surrounding markets as necessary

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/  along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.If you’re a qualified candidate and you require adjustments or accommodations to search for a job opening or apply for a position, please contact us at recruitadmin@wbd.com.