Head of Common Functions Real Estate

Company Description

AFRY provides engineering, project management, and advisory services that enable the energy and industrial transition and strengthen resilience in society. With 18,000 experts worldwide, we combine a global reach with local insights and deep sector knowledge to make a lasting impact for generations to come.

Our shared principles - Results driven, Client Centric, Empowering and Accountable - guide us in how we work, grow and succeed together.

Job Description

Are you ready to shape the future of workplaces in a global organization? AFRY is looking for an experienced and forward-thinking leader to take on the role as global Head of Common Functions Real Estate.

This is a unique opportunity to build and lead a newly established global function of approximately 60 employees with significant impact across our organization. You will play a key role in creating future-ready workplaces, driving strategic initiatives, and ensuring operational excellence across our global real estate portfolio (approximately 280 offices worldwide).

As Head of Common Functions Real Estate, you will lead AFRY's global real estate and workplace agenda, ensuring alignment with business objectives while creating sustainable, efficient, and inspiring work environments.

You will be a member of the Common Functions Leadership Team and work closely with senior leaders and stakeholders across the organization. As the function is newly established, you will have the opportunity to influence structures, ways of working, and long-term strategies from the ground up.

Your responsibilities will include:

Develop and execute AFRY's global real estate strategy aligned with business goals

Manage the full property lifecycle, including leasing, redevelopment, and portfolio optimization

Drive cost efficiency, portfolio performance, and space utilization

Manage external partners including landlords, brokers, developers, and advisors

Lead workplace strategy initiatives related to hybrid work, employee experience, and future workplace concepts

Oversee workplace operations including facilities management, office services, and vendor management

Ensure safe, compliant, and high-quality workplaces across all locations

Drive workplace innovation, sustainability initiatives, and digital transformation

Lead office redesign, relocation, and workplace transformation projects

Own budgets and financial performance related to real estate and workplace operations

Build, lead, and develop a newly established global team

Collaborate with leaders across AFRY and act as a trusted advisor on workplace and portfolio decisions

Qualifications

Who are you?

We are looking for an experienced leader who combines strategic thinking with operational excellence. You are comfortable navigating complex environments and building strong relationships across functions, cultures, and geographies.

To succeed in this role, you likely bring:

A university degree

10+ years of experience within Real Estate and Workplace Operations, with a strong understanding of related processes and operations

Proven experience leading and developing teams

Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to create engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement

Experience developing and implementing strategies that drive business value

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a results-oriented mindset

Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all organizational levels

Fluent English, both written and spoken

Experience from AFRY or similar global matrix organizations is considered an advantage.

Who you are as a leader

We believe you are someone who:

Drives change and thrive in building new ways of working

Plans and structures work effectively in a complex environment

Build networks and create strong stakeholder relationships

Communicates clearly and confidently across different audiences and settings

Additional Information

Why join AFRY?

You will join a newly established global organization where you will have a real opportunity to shape both the function and its future direction. You will become part of an experienced and collaborative leadership team and contribute to creating workplaces that support our people and business ambitions around the world.

At AFRY, we believe in creating sustainable solutions for future generations. Through collaboration, innovation, and curiosity, we create meaningful impact every day.

Location: While we have a hybrid working model at AFRY we expect that this role requires significant presence on-site in Solna, Sweden as well as other AFRY locations.

Employment type: Permanent

Start date: As soon as possible

Ready to shape the future workplace at AFRY? We look forward to hearing from you.

Welcome to submit your application, the deadline is 2026-08-31

Contact person for questions: Gunilla Fridén, Head of Common Functions, email: gunilla.friden@afry.com

We kindly ask not to be contacted by staffing and recruitment agencies or salespeople offering additional job advertisements.

At AFRY, we engineer change in everything we do. Change happens when brave ideas come together. When we collaborate, innovate technology, and embrace challenging points of view. That's how we're making future. We are actively looking for qualified candidates to join our inclusive and diverse teams across the globe. Join us in accelerating the transition towards a sustainable future.