Job Title
Soft Services Continuous Improvement ManagerJob Description Summary
The Continuous Improvement Manager, Maintenance Operations identifies and drives operational efficiency and service delivery improvements across accounts and at the enterprise level with direct impact on P&L performance. This role targets key operational levers including labor optimization, technology deployment, and performance enablement across accounts delivering soft services (janitorial, day porter, office and mailroom, and grounds services).
Combining deep soft services operations expertise with enterprise-level execution, this role partners closely with Finance, Business Development, and Human Resources to drive optimal account-level performance.
This role is accountable for delivering finance-validated P&L impact.Job Description
Enterprise-Level Margin Recovery & Performance Optimization
Will be focusing on accounts within Soft Services. Janitorial/Custodial/Office Space service lines
50% travel required
This is a remote position but you must be based within the Midwest or East Coast
Analyze service execution, key performance indicator trends, labor utilization, financial performance, and client relationships to identify root causes for under-performing accounts
Identify and eliminate inflated operating expenses at soft services client sites to improve account health and financial performance
Build business cases and financial models to prioritize improvement initiatives based on P&L impact and implementation feasibility
Develop solutions in partnership with Client Services and business support teams to elevate account performance
Charter and lead margin recovery projects at under-performing accounts, defining scope, timeline, deliverables, and success metrics in partnership with account leadership
Track and report progress and financial impact to enterprise leadership, escalating risks or resource needs as required
Establish governance and accountability mechanisms to sustain performance gains after project close
Standardize best practices through playbook development across accounts to prevent recurrence of common performance and margin detractors
Produce results-oriented case studies and boilerplate content for use in solution scaling and business development proposals
Labor Optimization & Workforce Efficiency
Evaluate staffing models, scheduling practices, and resource deployment against workload demand to identify labor efficiency opportunities
Reduce reliance on overtime and premium labor through improved scheduling and workforce planning practices
Partner with account and site leadership to right-size crews and align labor spend with the contracted scope of work
Identify and address skill gaps or training needs that limit productivity and service quality
Reduce external vendor dependence through scope insourcing, process development, and training and skills development
Technology Deployment & Adoption
Drive adoption and expansion of C&W Services’ AI-enabled tools and platforms to improve service delivery and reduce operating costs
Identify opportunities to deploy automation for labor-intensive or manual processes across maintenance and engineering operations
Partner with TechOps and Business Optimization to pilot, deploy, and scale AI-driven solutions across accounts
Cross-Functional Partnership & Enterprise Collaboration
Partner with Finance, Business Development, Commercial Operations, and Human Resources to align improvement initiatives with broader business objectives
Support new business development, account growth, and client transitions through data, insights, and best practices generated from CI initiatives
Required
Bachelor's degree in facilities management, business, or related field, or equivalent professional experience
7+ years in soft services operations, facilities management, including exposure to multi-site or portfolio-level account management
Demonstrated experience identifying and delivering measurable P&L impact through operational improvement initiatives
Strong analytical skills with experience using financial and operational data such as labor utilization, KPI performance, and budget adherence to diagnose root causes and prioritize solutions
Understanding of business fundamentals including P&L management, budgeting, and financial statements, with the ability to translate operational decisions into financial outcomes
Experience leading cross-functional projects including scoping, chartering, and driving initiatives to completion with measurable outcomes
Working knowledge of quality inspection systems, work order platforms, or other soft services management platforms
Ability to travel to client sites as needed
Preferred
Lean Six Sigma certification
Experience deploying or scaling AI-enabled tools within janitorial, office and mailroom, or groundskeeping services
Prior experience in a continuous improvement, operational excellence, or process improvement role specifically within soft services or a related services industry
Experience optimizing workforce structure and labor spend, including staffing models, scheduling and crew right-sizing against contracted scope
Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements. The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications. The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role. The compensation for the position is: $ 127,500.00 - $150,000.00C&W Services is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at C&W Services, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email . Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.
INCO: “C&W Services”
Cushman & Wakefield is a global real estate services firm that helps clients optimize their property portfolios and achieve sustainability goals. The company provides comprehensive services including facility management, energy efficiency rebate processing, and strategic project management across diverse real estate portfolios. They work with property managers, vendors, and utilities to identify and capture energy efficiency incentives and rebates for qualifying projects. The firm serves corporate clients by supporting their sustainability initiatives while driving operational cost reductions through energy optimization programs.
