Workplace Operations Manager - NYC

As a Workplace Operations Manager at OpenAI, you'll oversee the establishment of our NYC office's operational groundwork, maintain relationships with key stakeholders, coordinate maintenance and supplies, plan internal events, and manage the regional budget. Your role is multifaceted and critical to ensuring a supportive and productive workplace environment.

Candidates need proven experience in office management within dynamic environments, strong organizational skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workplace, and familiarity with workplace tools like ticketing systems and space planning software. A passion for building effective systems from scratch is also crucial.

The Workplace Operations Manager at OpenAI acts as a culture ambassador, promoting a positive workplace atmosphere in NYC while ensuring alignment with the company's values. By organizing initiatives and events that connect employees and foster collaboration, you'll play a key role in enriching our workplace culture.

You will work in an engaging and collaborative environment at OpenAI, where innovation is key. The NYC office will be a space designed for productivity and creativity, and you will have the opportunity to shape this environment from the ground up, focusing on both immediate needs and long-term sustainability.

The Workplace Operations Manager role at OpenAI requires you to be onsite in New York City five days a week. This hands-on position allows you to engage directly with the team and the workspace, helping you build relationships that enhance the office experience.

In your response, you should highlight specific examples of your previous roles, including the types of environments you've managed, the operational challenges you faced, and how you successfully navigated them to enhance overall workplace efficiency.

It's essential to demonstrate your organizational skills by discussing your approach to prioritizing tasks based on urgency and impact. Mention any tools or methods you use, like ticketing systems or shared calendars, to stay organized and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Share specific strategies you've implemented in past roles, such as team-building activities, feedback mechanisms, or recognition programs. Highlight how these strategies helped improve team morale and productivity, and connect them to OpenAI's values.

Discuss your experience managing budgets, including how you track expenses and ensure financial accountability. Provide examples of how you've been able to make cost-effective decisions without compromising the quality of workplace services.

Explain your conflict resolution approach, such as remaining calm, seeking to understand the other party's perspective, and finding common ground. Use an example to illustrate a successful resolution you've achieved in the past.

Share a concrete example of an initiative you led, describing the motivation behind it, the steps you took to implement it, and the resulting improvements in employee satisfaction or productivity.

Discuss your understanding of relevant safety regulations and procedures, and how you've previously monitored compliance. Highlight any coordination efforts with other teams, such as HR or Facilities Management, to ensure that safety is a shared priority.

List any specific tools or software you are familiar with, like Microsoft Office, Google Workplace, or space management software. Emphasize how you've effectively used these tools in previous roles to improve workplace efficiency.

Explain your methods for staying engaged with the headquarters or other offices, such as regular communication with leadership, participating in company-wide events, or using digital platforms to facilitate connection. Your answer should reflect a commitment to the overall organizational culture.

Share your insights on current trends, such as remote work, flexibility, and sustainability, and how they are influencing workplace operations. Discussing your awareness of industry shifts can demonstrate your forward-thinking approach.