Freelance Service Delivery Manager - Medior

Who we are…and what we do 

With an annual turnover of around €2bn, ekaterra is the world’s largest tea business, with world-class, purpose-driven brands such as Lipton, Pukka, Tazo, T2 and PG Tips. ‘eka’ is a word taken from the Sanskrit language which means unity and one purpose, while ‘terra’ represents the earth and nature. As ekaterra we are truly united in one purpose: growing a world of wellbeing through the regenerative power of plants. 

In July 2022, CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII took over the full ownership of the ekaterra business from its previous owner, Unilever. As a standalone entity with a dedicated single-category focus, ekaterra is even better positioned to lead the tea industry, delivering higher growth and value, and a greater impact on the wider world. With 11 production factories in four continents and tea growing estates in three countries, ekaterra is a profitable and growing business whose brands reach hundreds of millions of consumers. It has a presence in over 100 countries. 

Under the ownership of CVC, ekaterra has an exciting future ahead with opportunities for increased investments in our iconic brands, our people, and our capabilities.  Combining the strength and scale of our brands with a focus on speed and agility, ekaterra is brewing a corporate start-up mindset that’s opening-up new opportunities for its people to flourish every day. 

At ekaterra, we put consumer love at the heart of every decision. We celebrate diverse thinkers who take personal ownership to connect ideas and make impactful things happen; people who share our values around humanity and courage and give their commitment to nurturing the wellbeing of all. In return, we offer a working culture that gives our people freedom and flexibility, and where they can grow both personally and professionally to master their field. 

Be part of our amazing blend. Come and grow yourself and, in turn, help us to grow a world of wellbeing.

Your opportunity

Currently our head quarter is based on Rotterdam, co-located with Unilever. As part of building our own ekaterra tea culture and identity we are currently looking for a Head Quarter. It’s an exciting opportunity to search and find the best location and lead the design of our future Head Quarter. You’ll lead the project end to end, connecting with all employees, ekaterra leadership, external stakeholders, and the team to deliver a fantastic office experience for our ekaterra HQ employees.

We are therefore looking for a strong, pro-active, experience workspace manager who know how to land a change in a positive manner for all involved, can deliver an excellent end-result and is able to think both strategic and discuss matters with senior stakeholders and dives into the operational details to ensure that no step is missed, and everything is perfectly in order when we move into our new home.

Are you a champion in planning, have appetite for lovely design, great at quickly establishing effective and strong relations, able to translate ambitions into actions and an experience change and transition manager? Do you get energy from working in a highly dynamic environment, with short deadlines and ambitious objectives? Then this might be a great role for you!

Your Key Tasks

You will lead the project management of establishing a new head quarter working with experts, colleagues, employees, and senior stakeholders.

• Select the best and fit for purpose office property for ekaterra’s head quarter team

• Ensure the office is ready for business by the set (tight) deadline and will deliver a fantastic employee and Tea experience

• Translate ekaterra’s vision, values, exciting brands and business objectives into a solid project plan for the future office

• Lead the search and contracting of relevant experts such as architects, design agencies, project teams etc.

• Set up and lead a squad of employee representatives from different parts of the organisation. Leverage the squad and other professionals for decision making planning, execution and delivery of the project.

• Lead change management for the entire ekaterra team, ensure representation, involvement and excitement of the leaders and employees who will work in the future office

• Successfully monitor all aspects of the project, set deadlines, manage budgets, connect involved parties, and monitor and summarize project progress

• Engage all relevant stakeholders and ensure they are aware and approve of the coming change. Prepare regular updates and reports for key stakeholders and leadership

• Support resolution of (cross-functional) issues at global and local level

• Ensure trends, fact-based decisions, wishes, culture and creativity all come to live in a fantastic office concept for ekaterra

The qualities we look for in you:

ekaterra is made up of a special blend of individuals which make our teams exciting and diverse. To be part of our blend we are looking for individuals who think Green and are environmentally conscious, who understand the power of simplicity and who are accountable for their actions. We want those who infuse mastery and passion in everything they do to create great products and unforgettable experiences for our consumers.

Skills and Experience

• Self-driven, agile, and able to set the direction, including all stakeholder wishes and requirements but with little oversight from a direct manager

• Resilient, high energy, creative and forward thinking

• Easily understand the wishes, concerns, and requirements of all relevant stakeholder. Great communication and interpersonal skills

• Supportive towards colleagues, firm when you need to hold others accountable

• Always finds the best approach balancing the interests of the business, the employees, the leaders, and other relevant stakeholders

• Is aware of latest trends and data around best workspace concept and can translate this into concrete plans, fitting to our ekaterra culture

• Solution oriented, doesn’t give up when facing a challenge and can be creative and agile in finding ways to get things done

• Goal-oriented with ability to prioritize on a consistent basis in an evolving work environment

• Analytically strong, quick to understand causes and effects, loves a bit of pressure and working in a very dynamic environment

• Experience with driving transformations, change management and employee engagement

• 3+ year experience as project manager in workspace transitions

• Loves to work in a global team in an international organisation

• Fluent in English