Workplace Operations Specialist

Director Of Workplace Operations

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