Manager, Real Estate & Facilities

Who are we? Our mission is to scale intelligence to serve humanity. We’re training and deploying frontier models for developers and enterprises who are building AI systems to power magical experiences like content generation, semantic search, RAG, and agents. We believe that our work is instrumental to the widespread adoption of AI. We obsess over what we build. Each one of us is responsible for contributing to increasing the capabilities of our models and the value they drive for our customers. We like to work hard and move fast to do what’s best for our customers. Cohere is a team of researchers, engineers, designers, and more, who are passionate about their craft. Each person is one of the best in the world at what they do. We believe that a diverse range of perspectives is a requirement for building great products. Join us on our mission and shape the future! ABOUT THE ROLE We’re seeking an experienced Manager, Real Estate & Facilities to join our team at Cohere. This position is perfect for someone who wants to take over a comprehensive operational portfolio that combines strategic real estate management with hands-on facilities oversight. You’ll be the point person for our global broker relationship (JLL), lease negotiations, and overall workplace strategy & operations. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES STRATEGIC REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT - Lead all lease negotiations, renewals, and terminations for our global portfolio - Manage and optimize our relationship with JLL as our global brokerage partner - Align headcount vs. office space strategy with FP&A and HR on budget parameters, ensuring offices are managed accordingly - Conduct market analysis and site selection in conjunction with the Head of Procurement, HR and Leadership for new locations and expansions - Oversee portfolio performance metrics and financial reporting - Manage real estate budget for the company FACILITIES OPERATIONS & VENDOR MANAGEMENT Vendor Management & Negotiation - Negotiate contracts with vendors for cleaning, security, maintenance, and other facility services - Manage vendor relationships (including JLL as a key vendor partner), performance evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives Operations, Compliance & Implementation - Consolidate and streamline FM services across all office locations - Direct physical security operations and compliance across all sites - Develop and implement facilities policies, procedures, and sustainability initiatives - Manage facility budgets, capital planning, and expense optimization - Oversee facility moves, reconfigurations, and workplace experience enhancements - Ensure compliance with building codes, safety regulations, and lease agreements This role may require occasional travel to visit office locations and conduct operational reviews. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED - Experience: 8-10 years in combined real estate and facilities management - Broker/Vendor Management: Demonstrated success managing relationships with global brokerage firms and vendors - Lease Expertise: Strong background in commercial lease negotiation and administration - Strategic Thinking: Ability to link operational decisions to business strategy and growth objectives - Financial Partnership: Experience managing budgets in partnership with FP&A to ensure budget control and optimization PREFERRED - Multi-site Portfolio: Experience managing real estate/facilities across multiple locations - CRE/FM Certifications: CPM, CFM, or similar professional designations - Technology Proficiency: Experience with FM software, lease management systems, and data analytics WHY JOIN COHERE At Cohere, we’re building the future of AI while creating exceptional workplaces for our team. You’ll have: - Impact: Direct ownership of critical operational functions that support our global workforce - Growth: Opportunity to shape our real estate and workplace strategy as we scale - Innovation: Work with cutting-edge technology in a dynamic AI company - Culture: Collaborative environment where operational excellence is valued - Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, vision, 401(k), and competitive compensation APPLY NOW Ready to take on a more strategic role? We want to hear from you if you have the experience and drive to manage our real estate and facilities operations at a high level. If some of the above doesn’t line up perfectly with your experience, we still encourage you to apply! We value and celebrate diversity and strive to create an inclusive work environment for all. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to providing equal opportunities. Should you require any accommodations during the recruitment process, please submit an Accommodations Request Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12a6IrLdF3kI2nonKSr4tiFuz18rLQbaeYV-JM9L4o9Q/edit, and we will work together to meet your needs. We may use AI-enabled tools to screen and assess applicants against the criteria for this position. This helps our recruiters identify potentially qualified candidates, but it doesn't limit the applications our recruiters may review or consider. Full-Time Employees at Cohere enjoy these Perks: 🤝 An open and inclusive culture and work environment  🧑‍💻 Work closely with a team on the cutting edge of AI research  🍽 Weekly lunch stipend, in-office lunches & snacks 🦷 Full health and dental benefits, including a separate budget to take care of your mental health  🐣 100% Parental Leave top-up for up to 6 months 🎨 Personal enrichment benefits towards arts and culture, fitness and well-being, quality time, and workspace improvement 🏙 Remote-flexible, offices in Toronto, New York, San Francisco, London and Paris, as well as a co-working stipend ✈️ 6 weeks of vacation (30 working days!)