Facilities Operations Senior Specialist

Job Description

The Facilities Operations Senior Specialist is responsible for supporting facilities and workplace operations across our UK and international region, including our London International Headquarters (IHQ) in Paddington as well as 12 other offices across Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

Reporting to the Facilities Operations Manager – UK & International, this role will play an important part in helping to deliver a high-quality workplace experience across the region. You’ll help ensure our offices are safe, efficient, well maintained, and set up to support employees and visitors day-to-day.

This is a varied role with a mix of operational oversight, service provider management, workplace improvement support, compliance coordination, and stakeholder engagement. It would suit someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced corporate environment, is comfortable balancing day-to-day facilities activity with longer-term improvements, and can build strong working relationships across a range of teams and locations.

The ideal candidate will have solid client-side facilities management experience, strong organisational and communication skills, and a practical, service-focused approach.

This role is based onsite five days per week at the London International Headquarters, with regular travel to international offices as required.

Key Responsibilities:

Supporting the operational oversight of facilities services and workplace functions across the IHQ and international offices, ensuring the office environment is safe, well maintained, efficient, and responsive to business needs.
Supporting the management of third-party FM service providers delivering a range of workplace services, including planned and reactive maintenance, cleaning, hospitality, events, and small works projects.
Providing direction and day-to-day guidance to service providers to make sure resources are allocated appropriately and services are delivered as expected.
Monitoring service performance SLA’s / KPI’s and helping drive continuous improvement in workplace service delivery.
Coordinating with colleagues across the wider Global Operations Team, including Real Estate, Environment, Health, Safety & Security (EHSS), and Workplace Technology (DTE), to support workplace initiatives and improvements.
Supporting the delivery of space changes, office moves, workplace reconfigurations, and refurbishment activity.
Ensuring facilities operations are aligned with statutory and internal health, safety, and compliance requirements.
Supporting key compliance activities such as audits, risk assessments, permit to work processes and the ongoing monitoring of facilities-related compliance obligations.
Assisting with department budget planning and allocation, including tracking expenditure and monitoring costs against budget.
Carrying out facilities-related administrative duties, including raising purchase requisitions, supporting invoice verification, and using procurement systems accurately and efficiently.
Acting as key point of contact for local office contacts internationally on facilities-related questions, issues, and support needs.
Acting as a key point of contact for building management teams and landlord representatives, liaising as needed to ensure base building systems, shared spaces, and common areas are maintained in line with lease obligations.
Supporting the oversight of the ServiceNow Facilities Helpdesk, working closely with the Helpdesk Coordinator and FM service providers to ensure requests are managed effectively and colleagues receive a responsive service.
Supporting emergency response arrangements and assisting with the coordination of incident management through to resolution.
Deputising for the Facilities Operations Manager when required, helping maintain continuity across operations and service delivery.

Skills and capabilities:

Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage your own priorities, FM service provider priorities, and keep activities moving in a structured and efficient way.
Excellent communication skills, with confidence working with colleagues, service providers, building management teams, and senior stakeholders.
A practical, solutions-focused approach, with the ability to make sound decisions and respond quickly to urgent issues or changing priorities.
A strong customer service mindset and a genuine focus on delivering a positive workplace experience.
Strong understanding of facilities operations and hard and soft service delivery within a corporate environment.
Good awareness of facilities-related health and safety legislation, compliance standards, and operational risk management.
A collaborative working style, with the ability to build trust and work effectively across cross-functional teams.

Experience and qualifications:

Essential:

Strong background in Facilities Management and/or Workplace Services in a corporate environment.
Experience working with third-party FM service providers delivering workplace services including M&E and cleaning.
Experience using and overseeing CMMS / CAFM systems.
Experience supporting EHSS and compliance-related activities.
IOSH Managing Safely.

Preferred:

Experience working in a global organisation and/or supporting international office operations.
NEBOSH General Certificate.
Broader exposure to workplace improvement projects, refurbishment activity, and operational readiness planning.

Flex Designation:

On-Site Designated

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this On-Site designated role, you will work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.

Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

#LI-Onsite

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com