Global Business Operations Lead

Job Title
Global Business Operations Lead

Job Description Summary
- Must be on-site 5 days a week in Santa Clara, CA

The Global Business Operations Lead is responsible for driving strategic alignment, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across all service lines, processes, governance frameworks, and compliance obligations. This role ensures a cohesive and effective operating model across the account by integrating strategy, planning, communication, and execution.

The position partners closely with Account Leadership, service line leaders, and corporate functions to deliver consistent, scalable, and high-performing business operations. The role influences stakeholders at all levels of the organization and fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Alignment

• Support the Director of Strategic Planning and Account Leadership Team in the development and execution of the overall Account Strategy.
• Drive cross-functional business planning to establish a clear, consistent, and effective operating rhythm across all services and programs.
• Ensure alignment between strategic objectives, service line priorities, and operational execution.
• Partner with leadership to maintain a strong internal and client-facing partnership framework.
• Support corporate programs including Account Health Assessments, Client Insights, and Account Business Planning.

Governance, Compliance & Performance Management

• Establish and maintain governance frameworks to ensure all Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), contractual obligations, and compliance requirements are met.
• Oversee account-wide performance tracking, reporting, and continuous monitoring of operational effectiveness.
• Review complex financial and business analyses to drive informed decision-making and strategic recommendations.
• Ensure consistency and standardization of processes across service lines.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement across all service lines by identifying opportunities, developing solutions, and ensuring effective implementation.
• Lead and support transformation initiatives focused on process optimization, efficiency gains, and service quality enhancement.
• Solve complex, cross-functional problems with innovative, scalable, and practical solutions.
• Align business operations processes with evolving business needs and organizational constraints.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Partnership

• Proactively engage with service line leaders to understand demand, challenges, and priorities.
• Coordinate across support functions (Finance, People Operations, Technology & Analytics, Procurement) to deliver integrated operational support.
• Foster a highly collaborative environment that drives holistic decision-making and accountability.
• Influence and negotiate effectively with senior leadership, key stakeholders, and client groups to achieve desired outcomes.

Communication & Operating Rhythm

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communication strategy across the account and service lines to support key initiatives.
• Create executive-level presentations, dashboards, and reporting packages on strategic and operational topics.
• Lead internal governance meetings, business reviews, and events, ensuring clear agendas, alignment, and outcomes.
• Ensure consistent messaging and transparency across all levels of the organization.

Business Acumen & Analytics

• Leverage strong analytical and quantitative skills to interpret complex business and financial data.
• Develop actionable insights and recommendations that drive performance improvements and strategic outcomes.
• Integrate data from multiple service lines and functions to enable holistic decision-making.

People Leadership & Development

• Lead and develop the Business Operations team to deliver high-quality, scalable operational support across all service lines.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance management to ensure team effectiveness and engagement.
• Partner with HR and Account Leadership to recruit, retain, and develop top talent.
• Oversee key people processes including performance reviews, promotions, and compensation planning.
• Drive a culture of accountability, growth, and continuous learning.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) required.
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in program management, business operations, or strategic planning within a complex, matrixed environment.
• Proven experience leading continuous improvement initiatives across areas such as governance, financial management, communications, and operational delivery.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to interpret complex data and develop strategic solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience managing competing priorities and solving advanced problems in dynamic environments.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking & Execution
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
• Governance & Compliance Management
• Executive Communication & Influence
• Financial & Business Acumen
• Problem Solving & Innovation
• Talent Development & Leadership

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate's experience and qualifications.

The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.

The compensation for the position is: $ 148,750.00 - $175,000.00

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: "Cushman & Wakefield"