Director of Workplace Solutions
Company : Sodexo
Location : Chicago, IL
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 31 December 2025
Role Overview
Sodexo WRX is seeking a Director of Workplace Solutions to join our WRX Solutions Team! In this role, you will be a key contributor by building compelling customer value propositions infused with hospitality principles that create vibrant workplace ecosystems where employees thrive. You'll develop solutions that transform workplaces from obligations into invitations—to do great work, feel fulfilled, and come back energized each day. Reporting to the Business Solutions VP, this role will focus specifically on new and existing Integrated Facilities Management business opportunities across Corporate HQ/Class A Office, Life Sciences Tech and Finance sectors.
The successful candidate will combine a strong background in Facilities Management with Business Development experience, bringing both technical expertise and a hospitality-first mindset to create solutions for Fortune 1000 companies that deliver dynamic workplace experiences.
This is a Remote Role with approximately 50% travel.Candidates can reside in any state near a major airport.
What You'll Do
Solution Development with Hospitality at the Core
- Develop dynamic workplace solutions that integrate technical excellence with hospitality principles for new client opportunities and current client business growth across Life Sciences, Corporate HQ/Class A Office, Tech and Finance sectors
- Create workplace ecosystems infused with care and personal touch, building solutions that make people feel valued, supported, and nurtured while meeting technical and operational requirements
- Design integrated experiences that deliver exceptional service "from door to desk," encompassing hard and soft facility services, amenities, and guest experiences that light up every workday
Strategic Project Leadership
- Project manage SME teams to create solutions that balance technical rigor with human-centered design; manage multiple projects simultaneously with a "yes, and" mindset
- Champion the One Team approach, ensuring solutions reflect our commitment to transcending rigid roles and training everyone—from chefs to engineers—on hospitality and guest service as our north star
- Develop innovative, tailored solutions that achieve customers' key drivers while incorporating hospitality principles that create excitement, build culture, and drive collaboration
Market Intelligence & Competitive Positioning
- Research industry trends in both facilities management and workplace hospitality to provide leading-edge solutions that deliver a competitive advantage
- Understand the evolving workplace landscape, including return-to-office dynamics, collaboration spaces, well-being priorities, and the shift toward experience-driven workplace management
- Maintain deep knowledge of competitor landscape and position Sodexo WRX's unique hospitality-first mission and "built-in flexibility, backed by action" approach
Client Partnership & Value Creation
- Build compelling value propositions that demonstrate how our hospitality-infused IFM approach positively impacts well-being and performance, driving productivity, loyalty, and growth
- Develop solutions that create "home away from home" environments—complete with expertise, care, and a feeling of belonging—that help clients' employees perform at their highest potential
- Ensure competitive pricing that meets margin and risk requirements while delivering exceptional value through our ownership model and scale of self-performing delivery
Transition & Mobilization Excellence
- Work closely with transition and operational leaders to provide contextual guidance for successful mobilization of new business using our Amaze culture program and service delivery systems
- Follow contract details closely, including scope of work, risk/reward KPIs, client satisfaction metrics, and financial drivers
- Ensure solutions are designed for agility, with the structure and flexibility to shift with client needs in real-time
What We Offer
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
What You Bring
Industry Experience & Technical Expertise
- 7+ years of experience delivering workplace experiences through hard, soft, and amenity services in Hospitality, Corporate HQ/Class A Office, or Finance environments
- Experience developing service delivery models for clients, including knowledge of how to best leverage self-performance, subcontracting, and technology solutions
- Experience analyzing operating unit cost structures for management fee and profit and loss models
- Understanding of current and emerging technologies and their practical application to current and future operating models
Hospitality-Driven Client Relationship Skills
- Experience in client-facing roles with proven business acumen, bringing a hospitality mindset to nurture relationships with current and prospective clients
- Ability to identify and solution for clients' needs through the lens of creating caring environments and moments that matter
- Strong presentation skills—the ability to interact with external and internal customers, effectively communicating how hospitality principles elevate workplace experiences
- Demonstrated ability to build trust and affinity with clients by providing thoughtful, personal, and positive interactions
Leadership & Collaboration
- Strong leadership, motivational, and collaborative skills with high ability to influence without authority across diverse stakeholders (business leadership, Technical Solution Developers, Finance, HR, Legal, Operations)
- Experience managing multiple projects in different points of the project lifecycle simultaneously, demonstrating agility and the "yes, and" mindset
- Commitment to the One Team philosophy, working seamlessly across service lines to take ownership of issues and opportunities
- Cultural ambassador for the Amaze program, understanding how shared ownership, intentional hospitality, and human-centered service moments drive outcomes
Strategic & Analytical Capabilities
- Ability to translate technical knowledge into clear, concise communications for diverse stakeholders, connecting technical requirements to hospitality-driven outcomes
- Strong problem-solving skills with ability to analyze and interpret contractual, financial, technical, operational data, and commercial terms
- Understanding of go-to-market strategy and competitive landscape, articulating how Sodexo WRX's hospitality approach differentiates from traditional FM providers
- Ability to identify how technical and hospitality solutions address client needs to create vibrant, versatile work environments where employees thrive
Who We Are
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
Qualifications & Requirements
Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Functional Experience - 7 years in developing technical solutions and construction design
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Frequently asked questions
In Chicago's competitive corporate sector, a Director of Workplace Solutions must blend strategic vision with hospitality-driven empathy, leading cross-disciplinary teams to craft vibrant, employee-centered workspaces that foster productivity and well-being. Strong stakeholder influence without direct authority is key to navigating diverse organizational priorities.
Unlike conventional facilities management, this role integrates hospitality principles to transform workplaces into engaging ecosystems. It requires combining technical facility expertise with innovative service design to boost employee satisfaction and client growth, emphasizing a human-centered approach beyond maintenance and operations.
Success hinges on a mix of technical knowledge in integrated facility services, strong business development acumen, and a hospitality mindset. Effective communication, strategic project leadership, and the ability to tailor workplace solutions that balance flexibility and operational rigor are essential.
Sodexo offers a hospitality-first culture that empowers directors to innovate workplace experiences with a strong support network. The role benefits from access to extensive resources, diverse sector exposure, and a commitment to employee well-being, fostering both professional growth and impactful client partnerships.
Sodexo’s model emphasizes personalized, hospitality-infused solutions that resonate with Chicago clients’ evolving needs, leveraging local market insights and flexible service delivery. This approach builds trust through consistent value creation, aligning workplace ecosystems with clients’ business goals and employee engagement priorities.
In Chicago, Directors of Workplace Solutions typically earn between $130,000 and $180,000 annually, depending on experience and sector expertise. Competitive compensation reflects the role’s blend of technical and hospitality skills, alongside significant leadership responsibilities in integrated facility management.
Certifications like IFMA’s Certified Facility Manager (CFM) or WELL AP are highly regarded in Chicago’s market, signaling expertise in facility operations and employee wellness. Additionally, credentials in project management (PMP) and hospitality management can provide a competitive edge.
Chicago’s extensive transit options and proximity to major airports facilitate flexible commuting for directors, many of whom work remotely part-time. However, travel demands up to 50% require balancing in-office presence with travel, influencing scheduling to maintain productivity and personal well-being.
The role involves designing adaptable workplace ecosystems that support hybrid models, emphasizing collaboration spaces, technology integration, and employee wellness. Directors develop solutions that encourage seamless transitions between in-office and remote work, creating environments that sustain engagement and productivity.
Yes, Sodexo’s leadership roles provide exposure to Fortune 1000 clients across diverse industries, fostering advanced skills in hospitality-driven facilities management. The company’s emphasis on innovation, diversity, and cross-functional teamwork equips directors with valuable experience for senior strategic positions.