Workplace Operations Lead

We are looking for an exceptional Workplace Operations Lead 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 ResponsibilitiesSupport the development and execution of the workplace strategy and vision, aligned with company values and objectivesDefine and drive long-term goals for workplace experience, ensuring alignment with organizational prioritiesPartner 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 visitorsPromote a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and productivity across all office environmentsDevelop, maintain, and oversee detailed budget proposals for workplace initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goalsManage budget ownership and ensure accurate allocation of spending, including identifying cost-savings opportunities across facilities and servicesReview, approve, and manage invoices to support compliance and transparency in workplace expendituresBuild and nurture strong relationships with internal partners and stakeholders to ensure alignment on workplace initiativesPartner on quality, service, and maintenance standards across all office facilitiesImplement standardized workplace programs, policies, and practices in collaboration with local office leadsManage key workplace services including food and snack provisioning, site safety, emergency response planning, cleaning services, and front desk and guest servicesEnsure proactive planning and preventive maintenance across all physical spacesPartner with internal teams to support workplace health and safety programsOversee emergency preparedness protocols, ensuring all employees are trained and equipped to respond effectivelyQualificationsMust 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 neededBachelor's degree in Business Administration, Facilities Management, Operations Management, or a related field preferred8+ years of experience in workplace operations, facilities management, and hospitalityStrong understanding of office space management, food services, maintenance, and employee experience best practicesExperience working in high-growth, fast-paced environmentsExceptional project management skills with a proven track record of delivering initiatives on time and within budgetKnowledge of workplace safety, compliance protocols, and emergency preparednessExperience managing and scaling workplace operations across multiple locations preferredDemonstrated ability to lead innovative, cost-effective workplace enhancements while delivering exceptional employee experiencesStrong vendor management expertise and stakeholder communication skillsAbility to proactively align workplace services with evolving company needs and prioritiesProven ability to influence key stakeholder ... (truncated, view full listing at source)