JLL—Account Director

Job description

Description: JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. POSITION OVERVIEW The Account Director serves as one of JLL’s most important leadership positions, responsible for delivery to the client across multiple service lines, sites, and geographies while managing diverse responsibilities across different timeframes. This role acts as the primary point of contact for all matters related to the account while building and maintaining strong, long-lasting customer relationships. The Account Director is accountable for strategic leadership, operational excellence, integrated facilities management delivery, financial performance, client satisfaction, governance, risk management, sustainability initiatives, and people leadership across the client portfolio. The role ensures seamless service delivery, business continuity, compliance, commercial optimization, and continuous improvement within critical and high-availability operational environments. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership & Account Management - Act as the primary point of contact for all matters specific and related to the account - Develop forward-looking, peer-reviewed strategic plans that maximize profitability and leverage JLL’s capabilities - Create and execute annual account business plans aligned with client growth and JLL profitability objectives - Build and maintain strong, long-lasting customer relationships - Oversee customer account management including forecasting, budgeting, and tracking of key account metrics - Ensure seamless and efficient delivery while improving cost optimization, mitigating risk, fostering sustainable practices, and supporting team development including cross-skilling - Conduct strategic reviews of service and supply contracts to determine value optimization opportunities across the portfolio - Lead benchmarking of facilities services across sites and geographies to ensure operational consistency and best value delivery - Lead renegotiation and tendering activities in alignment with JLL procurement guidelines and commercial governance requirements - Drive account profitability, productivity optimization, and continuous operational improvement initiatives Client Relationship Management - Conduct regular client engagements including: - Weekly Operations Meetings - Monthly Management Review Meetings - Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) - Demonstrate strong attention to detail and proactive communication of updates, issues, risks, mitigation solutions, and delays - Proactively engage stakeholders to ensure on-site client expectations are met or exceeded - Build and develop effective client and stakeholder relationships across multiple levels of the organisation (JLL and Client) - Serve as the key point of contact for Facilities and Workplace services across the client portfolio - Liaise closely with client representatives to resolve issues and enhance workplace and operational performance - Lead by example to drive high levels of client satisfaction and service excellence - Maintain client satisfaction at the highest level with target Net Promoter Score (NPS) performance exceeding agreed thresholds Operational Excellence & Site Operations Management - Manage all building-related technical and service contracts and ensure operational excellence across the portfolio - Develop and implement procedures, operational standards, and performance measures to ensure efficiency, accuracy, consistency, and reliability of systems and work methods - Ensure compliance with contract requirements and effective management of operational risk - Manage internal reporting including development trackers, operational expenditure (opex), capital expenditure (capex), compliance, risk, and issue management - Recommend continuous quality improvement initiatives and implement industry best-practice operations - Implement building procedures and performance measures and ensure they are maintained - Ensure all Critical Environment Management (CEM) requirements are achieved and maintained - Ensure uninterrupted operations within mission-critical and high-availability environments - Review operations regularly to reduce costs and improve operational standards - Develop and implement Preventive and Planned Maintenance (PPM) programs to minimize equipment failure, maintenance costs, operational disruption, and lifecycle replacement costs - Drive asset reliability and maintenance optimization initiatives across the portfolio - Ensure adequate supply of materials and services required for uninterrupted facilities operations - Provide 24/7 emergency call support and site attendance as required - Coordinate critical out-of-hours issues and participate as a key team member during investigations and emergency response situations - Ensure uninterrupted site operations Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) - Oversee integrated facilities management services including hard and soft services - Manage IFM service delivery models including self-performed and subcontracted services covering: - Facility Management - Workplace Services - Site Services - Ground Maintenance - Engineering Services - Employee Services - Utilities and Energy Management - Specialty Services - Ensure governance and account management structures are effectively implemented - Identify account-level resources for quality management and implementation of global playbooks - Sponsor the Asset Management Program and Audit Program, allocating resources and ensuring execution - Drive regional consistency in IFM standards, procedures, systems, and service delivery practices - Implement and oversee comprehensive energy management and sustainability programs across the portfolio Procurement & Vendor Management - Manage all third-party and subcontractor performance - Ensure vendors are effectively managed and deliver services on time and within budget - Ensure vendor procurement processes comply with agreed client procurement guidelines and JLL best practices - Ensure vendors are selected based on local market capability and responsiveness to operational requirements - Ensure tender documentation, evaluation processes, and contract awards are completed in accordance with client standards - Conduct strategic vendor reviews and identify opportunities for commercial improvement and service enhancement Contracts Management - Plan and manage all contracts to ensure services are professionally delivered at optimal cost and value - Ensure contract expiry dates are monitored and re-procurement activities are initiated when required - Continually assess contracts to ensure best value delivery to the client - Support contract negotiations and commercial discussions as required Financial Management - Ensure site financial operations meet or exceed targets and comply with all JLL financial controls and ethical standards - Ensure all financial processes are followed with no non-compliance outcomes - Demonstrate strong understanding of account financials, contract management, forecasting, and commercial excellence - Develop and oversee account forecasting and budget management processes - Support financial reconciliation for service contract accounts - Identify and implement cost savings initiatives and profitability improvement strategies - Contribute to regional and global operational excellence and financial initiatives as required Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) Management - Ensure the provision of a safe working environment across all sites - Ensure compliance with statutory regulations relating to fire, health, safety, and environmental standards - Ensure all workplaces meet applicable Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) standards - Support the Account HSSE Manager in identifying and addressing operational risks and improvement opportunities - Implement and enforce all client-specific safety and compliance programs - Drive proactive safety culture initiatives and continuous HSSE improvements Risk Management & Business Continuity - Ensure a comprehensive property risk management program including audits is implemented and maintained - Ensure disaster recovery and business continuity plans are developed, implemented, tested, and maintained - Ensure escalation procedures and incident reporting processes are fully implemented and operational - Develop and maintain emergency response procedures including: - Fire Evacuation Plans and Fire Drills - Emergency Evacuation Procedures - Bomb Threat Response Procedures - Disaster Logistics Support Plans - Business Continuity and Recovery Processes - Coordinate disaster recovery planning activities across account functions and critical sites - Ensure DRP testing, dry runs, and response audits are completed periodically - Act as an escalation point for issues requiring senior leadership intervention or support - Assist in developing guidelines and strategies to ensure compliance with JLL business conduct standards - Ensure all statutory notices, compliance requirements, and regulatory obligations are managed appropriately Data Management, Policies, Procedures & Audit - Ensure integrity, accuracy, and audit readiness of operational and compliance systems data - Ensure account policies, procedures, and operational documentation remain current, standardized, and aligned across the portfolio - Drive adoption, governance, and compliance of operational systems and reporting platforms - Ensure teams maintain familiarity with systems, procedures, and compliance requirements - Support operational audits and continuous improvement initiatives Performance Management & Reporting - Achieve Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreement (SLA) targets - Attain all agreed client KPIs and operational performance measures - Ensure continual service improvement across the account - Ensure timely and meaningful monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting to clients and internal stakeholders - Provide portfolio insights, operational analytics, financial trends, and performance reporting - Ensure reporting standards meet local, regional and global client expectations Business Development & Growth - Develop new business and identify innovative growth opportunities - Expand share of wallet by solving client pain points and enhancing service delivery - Participate in contract negotiations and commercial discussions - Work collaboratively with facilities management colleagues within the client location and broader JLL network - Support regional and global strategic initiatives as required Leadership & People Management - Build and lead empowered, technically capable account leadership teams aligned to the client’s industry and business needs - Foster talent development and conduct meaningful career development discussions - Manage diverse teams across multiple geographies, functions, and operational timeframes - Manage, coach, and mentor team members to support professional growth and succession planning - Develop and sustain a high-performing, engaged, and motivated team culture - Ensure high standards of staff morale, trust, accountability, and work ethics - Build and maintain an environment that supports teamwork, collaboration, and performance excellence - Ensure teams are appropriately trained on facilities management systems, operational procedures, compliance standards, and client requirements - Support onboarding and integration of new team members through structured mentoring and knowledge-sharing practices - Drive learning, leadership development, capability building, and succession planning initiatives across the account KEY RESULT AREAS - Uninterrupted site operations - Client satisfaction and retention - Continual service improvement - Achievement of client KPIs and SLAs - Account profitability and growth - Operational excellence and compliance - Effective risk mitigation and business continuity - Team engagement, development, and retention - Sustainability and energy optimization outcomes REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Education - Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Building, Facilities Management, or related discipline; Mechanical bias preferred - Advanced degree and/or professional certifications are advantageous Experience - Minimum 10 years’ experience in Facilities Management with proven leadership and team management capability - Minimum 3+ years in a similar multi-service line Account Leadership role - Experience within 24/7 large-scale operational environments; manufacturing, R&D, semiconductor, or mission-critical operations preferred - Proven track record managing multiple scaling accounts or regional enterprise portfolios Technical Knowledge & Skills - Client-centric approach with strong stakeholder management capability - Authentic leadership style with ability to build trust and credibility - Solution-oriented mindset with strong commercial and operational judgement - Growth-driven approach focused on continuous improvement and enhanced client experience - Strong relationship management and influencing capability - Financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, commercial management, and profitability optimization - Strong analytical, presentation, communication, and organizational skills - Knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety requirements and statutory compliance - Strong technical understanding of Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) systems - Strong knowledge of facilities operations, maintenance strategy, reporting, and governance - Ability to manage multiple complex operational matters simultaneously - Sound computer literacy including Microsoft Office and facilities management systems PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES - Strong personal brand reflecting professionalism, expertise, and credibility - Demonstrated integrity, accountability, and commitment to delivery excellence - Strong influencing capability with ability to positively impact client outcomes - Ability to work under pressure and manage emergency situations effectively - Hands-on leadership style with collaborative team approach - Ability to execute with speed while leveraging team and platform capabilities - Strong adaptability and resilience within dynamic operational environments - Flexibility to provide 24/7 support when required Location: On-site –Bengaluru, KA Scheduled Weekly Hours: 48 If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table! At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing. JLL Privacy Notice Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely. For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement. For additional details please see our career site pages for each country. Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at HRSCLeaves@jll.com. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL.