Job Title: Workplace Portfolio Lead

Employment Type: Full-time

Position Overview

Waabi, an AI company founded by Raquel Urtasun, is at the forefront of developing next-generation self-driving technology. With a world-class team and an innovative approach leveraging AI for safe real-world driving, Waabi is accelerating the commercialization of self-driving solutions. Backed by leading investors in technology, logistics, and the Canadian innovation ecosystem, Waabi operates offices in Toronto, San Francisco, Dallas, and Pittsburgh, and is experiencing rapid growth. We are seeking diverse, innovative, and collaborative individuals eager to make a positive global impact. Learn more at: www.waabi.ai

We are looking for a highly experienced and strategic Workplace Portfolio Lead to oversee and optimize our diverse real estate and facilities portfolio across the United States and Canada. This role is crucial for shaping our long-term facilities strategy, identifying operational efficiencies, and ensuring our physical footprint supports our business objectives and employee needs.

Responsibilities

• Portfolio Strategy & Planning:
  • Develop and execute a long-term facilities portfolio strategy aligned with company growth, financial goals, and cultural values.
  • Encompasses office spaces, R&D Workshops, and business operational spaces.
  • Identify opportunities for optimization, consolidation, expansion, and new site selection.
• Real Estate & Lease Management:
  • Manage all aspects of real estate transactions, including lease negotiations, renewals, expansions, and dispositions.
  • Collaborate with legal, finance, and external brokers to secure favorable terms and ensure compliance.
• Space Planning & Utilization:
  • Partner with internal stakeholders (HR, IT, departmental leaders) to understand space requirements.
  • Develop innovative solutions for efficient space utilization, including agile workspaces, hybrid models, and future-forward office designs.
  • Ensure consistency and a cohesive visual identity across the portfolio.
• Capital Planning & Budgeting:
  • Develop and manage capital expenditure budgets for facilities projects (new construction, renovations, major equipment upgrades).
  • Monitor and control spending to ensure on-time and within-budget project delivery.
• Vendor & Contract Management:
  • Provide strategic guidance on vendor strategy and landscape for the Facilities Operations team.
  • Support, negotiate, and manage contracts with external vendors and service providers (property management, maintenance, construction, security) to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Data Analysis & Reporting:
  • Collect, analyze, and report on key facilities metrics (e.g., space utilization, operational costs, energy consumption, project status).
  • Inform decision-making and demonstrate portfolio performance.
• Sustainability Initiatives:
  • Drive and support sustainability initiatives across the facilities portfolio.
• Team Collaboration & Management:
  • Collaborate closely with internal teams (Finance, Legal, HR, IT, business units) for seamless integration of facilities services.
  • Manage a small team of local and remote employees as Waabi grows.
• Stakeholder Communication:
  • Effectively communicate facilities strategies, plans, and performance to executive leadership and relevant stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher.
• Advanced degrees, certifications, or licenses in real estate, portfolio, or facility management or operations are a plus.
• At least 7 years of experience in facilities management, real estate portfolio management, or corporate real estate.