Manager, Workplace & Facilities

Job description

Welcome to Planet. We believe in using space to help life on Earth. Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history. This constellation delivers an unprecedented dataset of empirical information via a revolutionary cloud-based platform to authoritative figures in commercial, environmental, and humanitarian sectors. We are both a space company and data company all rolled into one. Customers and users across the globe use Planet's data to develop new technologies, drive revenue, power research, and solve our world’s toughest obstacles. As we control every component of hardware design, manufacturing, data processing, and software engineering, our office is a truly inspiring mix of experts from a variety of domains. We have a people-centric approach toward culture and community and we strive to iterate in a way that puts our team members first and prepares our company for growth. Join Planet and be a part of our mission to change the way people see the world. Planet is a global company with employees working remotely world wide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands. About the Role: The Manager, Workplace & Facilities leads Workplace operations for our Berlin site and provides regional leadership across our EMEA offices. Ideal candidates are collaborative leaders who excel in operational excellence. Based in Berlin, this role leads a team responsible for workplace operations, facilities, hospitality, and employee services across a five-floor office and manufacturing site supporting approximately 300 employees. The role serves as the senior Workplace contact onsite and partners closely with local leadership, Manufacturing, People Team (HR), Security, Corporate Engineering, and other teams. This is a hands-on leadership role. You’ll lead and develop the Workplace team while staying closely involved in day-to-day operations. The role requires someone who can set direction, build strong processes, and develop the team, while also stepping in when needed to solve problems, remove blockers, and directly support operational work across the office and region. While Berlin is the primary focus of the role, this role also provides leadership and oversight across our Workplace teams in Ljubljana, Haarlem, and London. Regular travel to our regional offices is required, with occasional travel to our U.S. offices. This is a full-time, in-office position based in our Berlin office 5 days per week. Impact You’ll Own: Spearhead and develop the Berlin Workplace team across office operations, facilities, hospitality, and front-of-house services. Own day-to-day Workplace operations, budget management, vendor performance, landlord relationships, and operational escalations for the Berlin site. Serve as the primary Workplace partner to Berlin leadership and the first senior escalation point for Workplace matters. Partner with Manufacturing leadership to support an integrated office and manufacturing site, including shared building services, security and access, employee onboarding, communications, and workplace operations. Establish clear ways of working between Workplace and Manufacturing while maintaining defined ownership of manufacturing operations and equipment. Oversee major Workplace events and projects by setting scope, budget, timelines, responsibilities, and operating plans for the team. Lead Workplace teams and operating budgets across Ljubljana, Haarlem, and London and provide regional coaching, oversight, and escalation support. Lead Workplace planning for executive, customer, and other high-profile visits in partnership with Executive Assistants, Manufacturing, Security, and other teams. Lead Workplace onboarding for new employees across the Berlin site, including manufacturing employees. Manage Workplace communications, employee feedback, and change management related to the Berlin site. Support regional office projects, expansions, and workplace changes led by the Senior Director, Workplace and Employee Experience. Apply established global Workplace policies and standards across EMEA and escalate opportunities for broader changes. Partner with People Team and site leadership on employee-related workplace matters, applying sound judgment, discretion, and consistent workplace practices. What You Bring: Typically 6 to 8 years relevant work experience. 4 to 6 years supervisory or leadership experience. Experience managing workplace operating budgets, vendors, service contracts, and landlord relationships. Experience leading projects involving multiple teams, timelines, budgets, and operational dependencies. Experience partnering with senior executives and making independent workplace operating decisions. Experience managing office operations, facilities services, hospitality, and employee-facing workplace programs. Ability to identify competing stakeholder needs, define responsibilities, and drive issues to resolution. Ability to communicate workplace changes, operational requirements, and risks to employees and senior leaders. Ability to operate across both strategic planning and hands-on workplace needs. Ability to navigate sensitive employee and stakeholder matters with discretion, sound judgment, and diplomacy. Professional working proficiency in German and English. Ability to travel within EMEA approximately quarterly. What Makes You Stand Out: Experience leading Workplace operations across multiple countries or locations. Experience supporting a combined office and manufacturing, research and development, laboratory, or other technical environment. Experience supporting executive, customer, or other high-profile visits. Experience with workplace construction, office expansions, or major site transitions. Experience leading workplace change management or employee onboarding programs. Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting may be removed earlier than projected if a suitable pool of applications has been received. For this reason, we recommend applying as soon as you are able to. Export Control Requirements: Planet Labs Germany GmbH is authorized to receive U.S. export-controlled information at Planet under an export license issued by the Bureau of Industry and Security. This position requires access to U.S. and German/EU export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by German, EU, or U.S. authorities. Benefits While Working at Planet: These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy. Paid time off including vacation, holidays and company-wide days off Employee Wellness Program Home Office Reimbursement Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning Equity Volunteering Paid Time Off Compensation: The expected starting gross salary range for this role is listed below. Individual placement within this range is determined objectively based on gender-neutral criteria such as your skills, qualifications, and professional experience. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or equity. Germany Salary Range €68.500 — €85.600 EUR San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Why we care so much about Belonging. We’re dedicated to helping the whole Planet, and to do that we must strive to represent all of it within each of our offices and on all of our teams. That’s why Planet is guided by an ultimate north star of Belonging—dreaming big as we approach our ongoing work. If this job intrigues you, but you’re thinking you might not have all the qualifications, please... do apply! At Planet, we are looking for well-rounded people from around the world who can contribute to more ways than just what is listed in this job description. We don’t just fill positions, we aspire to fulfill people’s careers, most excited about folks who are motivated by our underlying humanitarian efforts. We are a few orbits around the sun before we get to where we want to be, so we hope you’re excited to come along for the ride. EEO statement: Planet is committed to building a community where everyone belongs and we invite people from all backgrounds to apply. Planet is an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Know Your Rights. Accommodations: Planet is an inclusive community and we know that everyone has their own needs. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please reach out to accommodations@planet.com or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you. Privacy Policy : By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Planet Data Privacy Notice for California Staff Members and Applicants , and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein. Privacy Policy (European Applicants): By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Candidate Privacy Notice GDPR Planet Labs Europe , and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein. AI in Our Interviewing Process : Planet is committed to providing an exceptional interview experience for all candidates. We currently use Metaview to better focus on candidates and less on trying to capture notes. As such, with the candidate's consent, select interviews may be recorded and include a "Planet AI Notetaker" for transcription and summarization purposes. Should an interview involve use of AI interview technologies, the candidate will receive notification and have the ability to opt out both in advance and/or real-time. Opting out will not affect one's candidacy. Candidate AI Policy : Planet embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and we encourage its responsible use. We understand that candidates may use various resources, including AI tools, to prepare for interviews and assessments. However, during any live interview stage or when actively completing assessments for this position, the use of AI tools—e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs), deep fake technology, etc.—is strictly prohibited unless explicitly prompted by an interviewer or assessment instructions . If you are unsure about acceptable use, please contact your recruiter for clarification. If an AI tool or similar technology is desired as an accommodation, please contact accommodations@planet.com with your request for assistance. Your message will be confidential, and we will be happy to assist you. Violation of this policy may result in disqualification of your application.