Senior director of people and space operationscompany introductionworldstrides is the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to washington, d.c. and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than half a million students annually to over 100 countries around the world. Worldstrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways.job description:reporting to the head of human resources, the senior director of people operations is responsible for overseeing human resources functions, the strategic planning and utilization of organizational spaces and acts as the leader of the merida location for worldstrides. This role ensures that the organization's workforce is effectively managed and that physical spaces are optimized to support operational goals. The role will manage a space administrator while working closely with a local team of hr professionals. This position will also partner heavily with the us-based human resources team.responsibilities:operations strategic responsibilities:partner with stakeholders for the office planning, overseeing all aspects of the transition from planning to execution.serve as the primary cross-functional liaison between the merida office and u.s. leadership, ensuring clear and consistent communication, particularly around escalations, risks, and issues.oversee emergency preparedness and business continuity planning, working with health & safety (h&s), it, global hr, finance, legal and the businesses to ensure the merida office is prepared for any potential disruptions.lead the merida health and safety protocols, contributing to ongoing safety and operational improvements.manage partner with the finance team on all aspects of site/facility operations, including budget tracking, forecasting, local tax and statutory requirements and cost management.ensure compliance with government and legal requirements related to facilities operations, including local regulations and reporting obligations.operations administrative responsibilities:serve as the primary contact with the landlord and external property management vendors, ensuring the smooth operation of all lease and facility agreements.oversee space management, including layout optimization, space allocation, and any required adjustments based on changing office needs, in partnership with human resources.manage the day-to-day operations of the facilities and utilities, ensuring all systems are functioning effectively and efficiently.provide leadership and task prioritization for the space manager role, responsible for it, parking, and building pass management, coordinating with relevant teams and external vendors to ensure team members have the necessary access and resources.people strategic responsibilities:partner closely with the merida hr team who champions community awareness initiatives, fostering positive relationships with local stakeholders and supporting corporate social responsibility (csr) goals in the merida region.drive team member engagement initiatives, working closely with hr and leadership to enhance the overall team member experience and well-being.support cultural reinforcement by ensuring that the merida office embraces and integrates worldstrides’ values, mission, and principles.provide insight into capacity planning for the office, offering strategic input on department needs and workforce planning based on evolving business goals.monitor and report on market and competitive awareness, providing insights into regional trends that could impact office operations, team member engagement, or company performance.stay informed on local market dynamics, including economic, cultural, compliance and industry trends, to ensure the merida office’s operations are aligned with regional needs and competitive positioning.people administrative responsibilities:participate in creating the strategy and organization of team member activities and events to enhance team engagement, morale, and company culture.model the importance of location-specific training by championing language classes and cultural integration programs, to support team members in the merida office.qualifications:possess unrestricted work authorization in mexico and meet full work availability.minimum five years of demonstrated leadership experience in operations, facilities management, or a related field.proven ability to manage large-scale office moves, space planning, and strategic facilities management.passion for fostering team member engagement, community awareness, and cultural integration within the office environment.strong financial management skills, with experience in managing site budgets.demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills in fast-paced environments.comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity.demonstrated proficiency with technology.proven ability to effectively communicate with multiple stakeholders, including u.s. leadership, external vendors, and internal teams.knowledge of local government and legal (mexico) requirements related to office and business operations.ability to function effectively in a team environment, with a collaborative approach to leadership and cross-functional partnership.willingness to contribute to worldstrides’ culture of sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion, both with team members and program participants.bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, facilities management, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.extensive experience in human resources management and space planning, with a proven track record in leadership roles.strong strategic planning, organizational, and communication skills; proficiency in data analysis and project management.
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