KAREN LEE
Workplace Experience and Operations Professional
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven Workplace Operations Leader with 18 years of experience in corporate real estate planning, vendor management, process optimization, and team leadership. Proven expertise in strategic space planning, business continuity, property management, and cost-saving initiatives. Strong ability to lead cross-functional teams, enhance operational efficiency, and foster inclusive, customer-centric environments. Passionate about driving sustainability and creating workplaces where individuals feel safe, valued, and engaged.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work History
CORPORATE REAL ESTATE MANAGER, ASEAN
Equinix Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
08.2020 - 08.2024
- Strategic Planning: Led corporate real estate planning and operations, encompassing capacity forecasting, space allocation, and asset inventory management. Oversaw key services, including front desk operations, corporate services, food services, furniture vendors, security, copy center, and mailroom. Drove strategic space planning initiatives to optimize real estate portfolio and achieve cost-saving targets.
- Operational Excellence: Improved processes through continuous enhancement driven by employee feedback, while ensuring strict adherence to finance, legal, compliance, and risk policies. Oversaw procurement and vendor relationships to optimize efficiency and deliver maximum value.
- Business Continuity & Safety: Led Business Continuity Planning initiatives and represented the organization on office safety, building emergency, and ergonomic committees. Ensured compliance with safety regulations and implemented emergency preparedness policies aligned with corporate standards.
- Repairs & Maintenance Management: Managed the procurement, preventive maintenance, and system upgrades, including budget forecasting for replacements. Oversaw facilities and systems such as furniture, electrical, audiovisual, cabling, janitorial, plumbing, utilities, HVAC, security systems, and signage to ensure optimal functionality and efficiency.
- Property Management Coordination: Managed office expansions, relocations, reconfigurations, repairs, and equipment moves across multiple ASEAN locations. Developed and enforced event policies, collaborating with internal teams and property management to address building maintenance, security, safety, and HVAC needs. Built strong relationships with building management to ensure smooth execution of large events, maintaining health and security standards
- Resource & Budget Management: Managed annual budget forecasts and expenses, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and policy compliance. Delivered regular performance and financial reports to leadership for informed decision-making.
- Team Leadership & People Management: Led the Corporate Real Estate (CRE) team in ASEAN, driving performance, cost management, and adherence to best practices. Coached and developed team members, set clear performance goals, and provided constructive feedback. Fostered a team culture focused on inclusivity, wellness, and sustainability.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Built and maintained strong relationships with key stakeholders, including landlords, property managers, vendors, and corporate teams. Analyzed data to support decision-making and collaborated with IT, Procurement, Security, and Operations to align departmental objectives.
WORKPLACE SOLUTIONS SENIOR MANAGER, ASIA PACIFIC
Polycom Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
07.2013 - 08.2020
- Managed 21 Offices Across APAC: Oversaw end-to-end operations for 12 leased offices and 9 serviced offices, ensuring lease renewals, terminations, and compliance with lease timelines.
- Project & Facilities Management: Led all aspects of real estate transactions, construction projects, facilities management, move management, space planning, and financial budgeting.
- Lease Renewals & Financial Analysis: Conducted in-depth financial analysis and prepared business cases for lease renewals, collaborating with stakeholders at least three months before expiry for strategic decision-making.
- Construction & Office Delivery: Delivered the new Shanghai office in December 2019 with an open-concept design and demo capabilities, while managing the consolidation of the Beijing site.
- Office Consolidation: Successfully consolidated three offices into one, overseeing the relocation of labs, training rooms, server equipment, and employees within budget and timeline, achieving targeted cost savings.
- Cross-functional Leadership: Led cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones and deliver high-quality outcomes.
- Performance Excellence: Consistently met or exceeded annual performance targets set by senior leadership.
FACILITIES OPERATIONS MANAGER (ASEAN, HKG & KOREA)
Symantec Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
10.2006 - 06.2013
- Facilities Operations Management: Directed facilities operations and maintenance across the Asia South region, ensuring uninterrupted service for critical IT infrastructure with zero downtime.
- Project Management: Served as a local liaison for the Corporate Real Estate team, collaborating with landlords and supporting the project management team on construction initiatives. Successfully led a migration project for 180 back-office employees, relocating operations from Suntec Tower 4 to Singapore Post Office, efficiently occupying a 40,000-square-foot space. Oversaw the setup of new office requirements, ensuring completion within timeline and budget constraints.
- Workplace Environment: Fostered a safe, comfortable, and productive workplace by conducting regular facility inspections, ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements, optimizing operational efficiency, and prioritizing employee well-being.
- Budget & Capital Management: Managed capital expenditures and forecasted operating budgets, aligning both short-term needs and long-term financial objectives, with a focus on expansion projects and high-value equipment replacements.
- Space Utilization & Reporting: Monitored space utilization and cost allocations, providing regular reports to the Corporate Real Estate team. Maintained an up-to-date equipment inventory and forecasted maintenance budgets.
- Front Desk & Team Leadership: Led front desk operations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Korean and Taiwan, coaching and training Receptionists and Facilities Coordinators to deliver exceptional customer service and operational support. Supervised operations staff, ensuring compliance with company policies and empowering employees to take ownership of responsibilities, driving accountability and improved performance outcomes.
Education
ACCREDITED MASTER OF CORPORATE REAL ESTATE (MCR) -
CORENET
Singapore 01.2014 - 12.2014
ACCREDITED CERTIFIED FACILITIES MANAGER (CFM) -
INTERNATIONAL FACILITY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
Singapore 03.2010 - 11.2010
ACCREDITED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL (FMP) -
INTERNATIONAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
Singapore 07.2008 - 08.2008
Skills
Workplace Operations Management
New Office Setup and Transitioning Planning
Space Planning Management
Project Management
Stakeholder engagement
Facilities management
Team Leadership and Development
Financial budgeting and reporting
Microsoft Suite
First-Aid Trained
Fire Warden Trained
Websites
Timeline
CORPORATE REAL ESTATE MANAGER, ASEAN
Equinix Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
08.2020 - 08.2024
ACCREDITED MASTER OF CORPORATE REAL ESTATE (MCR) -
CORENET
01.2014 - 12.2014
WORKPLACE SOLUTIONS SENIOR MANAGER, ASIA PACIFIC
Polycom Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
07.2013 - 08.2020
ACCREDITED CERTIFIED FACILITIES MANAGER (CFM) -
INTERNATIONAL FACILITY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
03.2010 - 11.2010
ACCREDITED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL (FMP) -
INTERNATIONAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
07.2008 - 08.2008
FACILITIES OPERATIONS MANAGER (ASEAN, HKG & KOREA)
Symantec Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
10.2006 - 06.2013
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