Global Corporate Services – EMEA Head of Client Services, VP

Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $1.1 trillion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Global Corporate Services (GCS) team at Blackstone services all global offices and lines of businesses across the firm. The GCS team is delineated by its Corporate Real Estate & Strategy (CRES), Administrative Services (AS) and Travel & Expense (T&E) departments which deliver services associated with Corporate Real Estate, Workplace Services, Facilities, Design & Construction, Office Services, Conference, Meeting Room & Internal Events Management, Catering Dining & Pantry Services and Travel Expense and Records Management. We are seeking a full-time employee to join and lead client services in the EMEA AS Team, based in the London office.

Position Objective:

The EMEA Head of Client Services will possess the expertise and knowledge in the areas of hospitality, venue management and office services with ability to provide operational support and execution of best-in-class experiences, all while operating in the fast-paced, high volume corporate environment.

Job Description:

Blackstone is seeking an experienced Hospitality professional that will report into the International Head of Administrative Services for EMEA & APAC regions. This position will be responsible for managing and coordinating operational teams, primarily in London, but with engagement and support across the EMEA office portfolio, to deliver best is class, right-sized services.

The role entails end-to-end client relationship and activity management and coordination between all service teams to achieve flawless execution. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, communication, operations and pre-eminent client service skills. The EMEA Head of Client Services must be confident managing a variable workload in a collaborative environment with high-level (low profile) internal and external clients and colleagues.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Leadership & Management

• Manage delivery of service lines to very high standards to support business performance
• Act as primary relationship manager for all professional and corporate group contacts for the design, configuration and provision of services and delivery of internal meetings and events
• Partner with Events and Marketing team to ensure that all onsite BX events align to branding and corporate design and production standards
• Partner with GCS CRES and T&E team to deliver holistic office-based experiences
• Produce BEOs with execution support from respective AS teams, Reception, AV, Events teams
• Elevate current services to next level in London and across EMEA
• Build and document standard operating procedures
• Integrate the ESG and Wellness agendas across verticals
• Develop excellent relationships with peers across global regions to develop and drive consistency of the BX brand implementation to bring the client and colleague experience to life
• Lead weekly internal coordination meetings with all internal partners
• Ensure adherence with regional health and safety regulations, and that all food and beverage areas are maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness

Reporting & Cost Management

• Prepare monthly reports to identify opportunities, efficiencies and cost optimization of services
• Manage monthly re-billing and detailed budget management for services; work closely Accounts Payable to ensure invoice/payment requests are properly processed in a timely fashion and re-charged correctly to Cost/Project Codes
• Proactively manage and maintain positive vendor relationships (i.e. outsourced vendors, food and beverage suppliers, etc); including conducting regular performance evaluation meetings to ensure BX service levels and values are achieved and within budget as well as invoice processing and payments/re-charges
• Oversight of all team ordering, purchasing, and invoice reconciliation

Venue Management

• Day-to-day oversight internal meeting room presentation and preparedness
• Act as gatekeeper and arbiter for ~20 meeting and conference spaces across 2 buildings in London; prioritising and relocating meetings as required to optimise business use of space in line with Compliance public/private walls, and with support of Venue Manager and Reception Team
• Assume the role as an “expert in residence” in space optimisation, keeping up-to-date on emerging technologies and opportunities to enhance the space
• Serve as the main point of contact on the day of internal meetings/events
• Report, track and monitor internal meeting/event/visitor activity, demand and data points, regular analysis and propose process improvements; e.g., tech systems EMS, Cvent, Envoy
• Become expert user for the conference room booking platform (EMS) in order to provide user support, optimise tool and ensure integrity and accuracy of information (EMS), build and conduct training modules including for Envoy visitor registration platforms

Ad Hoc GCS Projects

• Contribute to the design and operation of BX future London HQ project and any new venue requirements in London and across Europe
• Build relationships with EMEA Office Managers and aid in training, set up and build out of local requirements in line with core role responsibilities described above
• Perform administrative duties and special projects related to the department as assigned

Qualifications / Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 10+ years of related experience in hospitality, food & beverage, venue management/events in a corporate environment (financial services within EMEA a plus)
• Motivated, responsible self-starter who operates with a sense of urgency and is results-oriented; takes initiative, leadership qualities and able to work within a group or alone
• Ability to be flexible with work hours early/late is critical to meet customer needs
• Ability to work exceptionally well as a team member & leader, and communicate to staff, consultants, and clients at all levels with humility and openness to demonstrate by example the hospitable demeanor Blackstone expects of all full-time outsourced service providers
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral with an outgoing and positive approach
• Familiarity and understanding of various corporate services specific systems; including but not limited to Concur, CVENT, IWMS tools, advance Adobe, BOX, Document Management tools, floorplan viewing software, EMS conference booking tools, strongly preferred, MS Office Suite: specifically comfortable working with numbers, advanced Excel skills required
• Experience of negotiating commercial terms and managing vendor performance
• Strong organizational, technical and multi-tasking skills with the ability to prioritize multiple meetings and deliverables and with high level of attention to detail; high quality standards, solutions-seeking, creative problem-solver. Some physical work, i.e., moving/set up of furniture
• Able to meet frequent and specific deadlines; consistent follow up to ensure tasks completed
• Strong work ethic, patience and a winning attitude. Calm and collected in a dynamic environment
• Demonstrates sound judgment in order to resolve problems and make decisions
• Resourceful, anticipates stakeholder requirements, flexible and proactive to issues and changes
• Highest level of professional demeanor, appearance and personal integrity
• European languages a plus

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or any other category protected by law.

The duties and responsibilities described here are not exhaustive and additional assignments, duties, or responsibilities may be required of this position. Assignments, duties, and responsibilities may be changed at any time, with or without notice, by Blackstone in its sole discretion.

Blackstone is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital or partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic predisposition, veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense or stalking, or any other class or status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. All Blackstone employees, including but not limited to recruiting personnel and hiring managers, are required to abide by this policy.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application, please contact Human Resources at 212-583-5000 (US), +44 (0)20 7451 4000 (EMEA) or +852 3656 8600 (APAC).

Depending on the position, you may be required to obtain certain securities licenses if you are in a client facing role and/or if you are engaged in the following:

• Attending client meetings where you are discussing Blackstone products and/or and client questions;
• Marketing Blackstone funds to new or existing clients;
• Supervising or training securities licensed employees;
• Structuring or creating Blackstone funds/products; and
• Advising on marketing plans prepared by a sales team or developing and/or contributing information for marketing materials.

Note: The above list is not the exhaustive list of activities requiring securities licenses and there may be roles that require review on a case-by-case basis. Please speak with your Blackstone Recruiting contact with any questions.

To submit your application please complete the form below. Fields marked with a red asterisk * must be completed to be considered for employment (although some can be answered “prefer not to say”). Failure to provide this information may compromise the follow-up of your application. When you have finished click Submit at the bottom of this form.

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