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MD - Head of CRES APAC, India, MEA

India

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Date live: 02/16/2026

Business Area: CRES and Location Strategy

Area of Expertise: Real Estate & Physical Security

Contract: Permanent

Reference Code: JR-0000086068

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Real Estate & Physical Security

Real Estate & Physical Security supports the business by delivering and operating its real estate strategy and ensures the physical security of Barclays real estate.

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Overall purpose of role

The Regional Head – Corporate Real Estate Services is accountable for end-to-end strategy, governance, and performance of the corporate real estate and facilities portfolio across APAC, MEA, and India. The role ensures that real estate, facilities, and workplace operations enable business growth, protect people and assets, manage risk, and deliver cost-efficient, compliant, and resilient workplaces. This role serves as a strategic partner to regional and global leadership, balancing commercial outcomes, operational excellence, health & safety, and long-term sustainability across diverse regulatory and cultural environments. This role is pivotal in ensuring that operations are run and change is delivered safely, transparently, efficiently and in a way that demonstrably creates value for the stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities

Real Estate & Location Strategy

Define and execute the regional CRE strategy aligned to global vision and business objectives. Drive portfolio optimization including expansion, consolidation, lease restructuring and exits. Lead long-term demand planning, workplace strategy, and footprint rationalization

Transactions & Lease Management

Oversee site selection, lease negotiations, renewals, acquisitions, and disposals. Ensure optimal commercial terms, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance. Manage regional broker, legal, and advisory partnerships

Facilities Management, Building Operations & Workplace Services

Provide strategic oversight and governance of end-to-end facilities management, including : Health, Safety & Premises Risk Management, own regional Health & Safety governance, policies, and compliance frameworks. Ensure proactive premises risk management, including life safety, fire systems, structural safety, and statutory compliance. Lead audits, incident management, business continuity, and crisis response in coordination with risk and security teams.

Engineering & Building Operations

Oversee engineering systems and building operations, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, BMS, and critical infrastructure. Ensure operational reliability, preventive maintenance, uptime, and asset lifecycle management. Drive energy efficiency, operational resilience, and sustainability in building operations

Third-Party & Service Provider Management

Lead governance of third-party service providers, including IFM partners, engineering vendors, and specialist contractors. Establish SLAs, KPIs, performance reviews, and continuous improvement programs. Ensure consistency of service delivery while managing local regulatory and cultural nuances

Workplace Experience & Services

                         Ensure delivery of high-quality workplace services aligned to employee experience and productivity. Champion   

                         health, safety, well-being, and inclusive workplace standards. Support evolving hybrid and flexible work models

Financial Governance & Cost Optimization

Own the regional CRE and FM budgets (opex and capex). Drive cost optimization, value engineering, and financial discipline. Establish strong governance, forecasting, and reporting mechanisms

Capital Projects & Program Delivery

Lead large-scale fit-outs, refurbishments, relocations, and greenfield developments. Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to global quality standards. Implement standardized project governance, design, and delivery frameworks

Sustainability, ESG & Compliance

Drive ESG and sustainability initiatives, including green certifications, energy optimization, and carbon reduction. Ensure compliance with local regulations, corporate policies, and global standards. Partner with global ESG, risk, and compliance teams

Stakeholder Management and Leadership

  • Support the collaboration of internal stakeholders including CRE & FM teams, operational, and risk management teams to meet client needs and expectations, so that transactions are executed accurately and on time
  • Enhancing the bank's digital capabilities when current technology is identified as not yet ready to support
  • Work with senior stakeholders across the organisation to ensure alignment, unblock dependencies and accelerate progress
  • Shape and communicate clear strategic roadmaps, ensuring coherence across all pillars of the CRES

Risk and Control Objective

  • Manage RCSA process
  • Ensure compliance to all specified controls, conduct checks & attestation processes
  • Improve process controls and proactively identify potential issues. Ensure transparency with stakeholders and work on timely remediation of gaps
  • Establish clear governance around saves and process delivery timelines

Essential Skills/Basic Qualifications:

  • 20+ years of leadership experience in Corporate Real Estate, Facilities Management, or Infrastructure
  • Proven track record managing multi-country portfolios across APAC / MEA / India
  • Experience in MNCs, GCCs, or large enterprises preferred
  • Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Facilities, Real Estate, or Business (MBA preferred)
  • Extensive executive‑level experience delivering large‑scale, complex, enterprise change.

Desirable skills/Preferred Qualifications:

Leadership Competencies

  • Strategic thinking, influencing at ExCo level and cross‑functional leadership.
  • Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to simplify complex issues.
  • Strong risk instincts, commercial acumen, excellent judgement and a bias for transparent, evidence‑based decision‑making.

Purpose of the role

To manage and develop capital project proposals and operations aligned to the needs of the bank. 

Accountabilities

  • Management, development and execution of building, real estate and physical asset security projects and proposals, including workspace, engineering, and facility upgrades.
  • Management of planning, design, procurement, resourcing, reporting and construction processes to ensure deliverables are completed on time and within budget.
  • Identification of potential risks and issues associated to capital projects and development of risk management strategies to mitigate them by monitoring risk exposure and taking corrective action.
  • Management of project budget for real estate and physical security projects by tracking expenses, forecasting costs and identifying cost saving opportunities.
  • Management of stakeholder relations including project sponsors, vendors, regulatory agencies, and the facilities management team to align capital project operations with the bank's objectives.
  • Identification of opportunities to improve the delivery processes for capital projects and implement best practices to enhance project performance.
  • Execution of capital projects that meet agreed quality standards, and are compliant with relevant laws, regulation, and policies.

Managing Director Expectations

  • To manage a large, complex or diverse function and take accountability for the strategic direction of the function to significantly strengthen successful and efficient businesses and contribute to the strategic initiatives of the Barclays Group
  • Lead and mentor high performing teams and embed a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects, act as a profound technical expert and thought leader, Identifying new and innovative/ground breaking ways of working. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions.
  • Drive and achieve overall success and / or competitiveness of a business division by influencing senior leaders and committees.
  • Strategically assess and manage risks to protect the business division / function and growth.
  • Influence company policy and develop functional procedures in conjunction with senior leaders / strategic positions across the business.
  • Demonstrate interpretative thinking for innovative solutions in complex situations and conceptual thinking in completely new situations.
  • Exercise management authority to make significant / complex business and strategic decisions that impact the Barclays Group, business division or function.
  • Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally and foster growth for Barclays business.
  • Mandated as the business division/ functional spokesperson or representative to external bodies and shapes the public image of Barclays.
  • Demonstrate exceptional knowledge of how business divisions and functions integrate with the Group to achieve the overall business objectives alongside industry theories and practices within own discipline.
  • Maintain broad and comprehensive functional expertise and significant product knowledge.
  • Accountable for the control and governance agenda of the business division / function.
  • Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

Barclays welcomes applications from all candidates and is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments (accommodations) are put in place to allow for a fair and inclusive recruitment process. For more information and how to request one, please review Adjustments to the recruitment process.

We’re a global, vital and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring Purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world, we help communities, individuals and businesses thrive. And we’ve created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

To find out more about Barclays' strategy please click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and opposed to discrimination on any grounds. It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Barclays is required by law to confirm that you have the Legal Right to Work in any role that you apply for. If you currently hold a work visa sponsored by Barclays, or you would require sponsorship from Barclays, you must declare this as part of your application. Sponsored visas are role and entity specific and any changes must be reviewed. It is important that you ensure you are working on the correct visa at all times. Failure to accurately disclose your visa status or Legal Right to Work may result in your application or any employment offer being withdrawn at any time.

Learn more about Barclays locations

Across our campuses, we offer modern workspaces, collaborative areas, and state-of-the-art meeting rooms. Facilities include wellness rooms, on-site cafeterias, fitness centers, and tech-equipped workstations. Designed for innovation and comfort, they support a dynamic and productive work environment.

Gain access to wellness rooms, gyms and mental health support.

Our welcoming and inclusive culture supports you to bring your whole self to work, explore your potential and pursue your passions.

Modern spaces designed for teamwork and brainstorming.

There’s so much more than work to involve and engage you on campus. From socialising to sports, from community events to volunteering.

Learn more about Barclays locations

Across our campuses, we offer modern workspaces, collaborative areas, and state-of-the-art meeting rooms. Facilities include wellness rooms, on-site cafeterias, fitness centers, and tech-equipped workstations. Designed for innovation and comfort, they support a dynamic and productive work environment.

Health and wellness

Gain access to wellness rooms, gyms and mental health support.

A place where you can belong

Our welcoming and inclusive culture supports you to bring your whole self to work, explore your potential and pursue your passions.

Collaborative Areas

Modern spaces designed for teamwork and brainstorming.

More than work

There’s so much more than work to involve and engage you on campus. From socialising to sports, from community events to volunteering.

Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more

Application Process

Your application

We’ll ask for information about you, your CV and cover letter.

1

Your assessment

Covering your behaviours and ability at work.

2

Your interview

Exploring your past experiences and skills.

3

Next step

We’ll request additional information so that you can complete our screening process

4
How to ApplyRead our FAQ's
Barclays

Working flexibly

We’re committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work in. This environment recognises and supports your personal needs, alongside the professional needs of our business. If you'd like to explore flexible working arrangements, please discuss this with the hiring manager. Your request will be reviewed in-line with the requirements of the role/business needs of the team.

Hybrid working

We have a structured approach to hybrid working, where colleagues work at an onsite location on fixed, ‘anchor’, days, as set by the business area. Please discuss the working pattern requirements for the role you are applying for with the hiring manager. Please note that working arrangements may be subject to change on reasonable notice to ensure we meet the needs of our business.

Barclays is built on an international scale.

Our geographic reach, our wide variety of functions, businesses, roles and locations reflect the rich diversity of our worldwide customer base. All of which means we offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience.
And the chance to learn from a globally diverse mix of colleagues, including some of the very best minds in banking, finance, technology and business. Throughout, we’ll encourage you to embrace mobility, exploring every part of our operations as you build your career.

Find more information

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