One facility manager’s global career growth

Vanessa Missiaglia is a facilities manager based in CBRE’s office in Lima, Peru. She became part of the CBRE team in 2015 after her previous employer – a global conglomerate specializing in healthcare, renewable energy, and aerospace technologies – went through a series of changes and outsourced its facilities to CBRE. Managing the general administration and operations of facilities in Peru, Vanessa is responsible for a range of activities from improving operational procedures to managing budgets and optimizing the use of each facility’s space. She draws on her experience managing sites across the country in her previous role to develop and grow facilities management (FM) at CBRE. 

We spoke to Vanessa about her experience transitioning to CBRE. She gives us insight into how the move opened career opportunities and continues to challenge and reward her today. 

What was your role before transitioning to CBRE? 

As a property leader for a large multinational company, I was responsible for the management and administration of the Peru office. Bringing all areas of the business together, I helped optimize the facilities to meet day-to-day needs, drive better processes, and bring the culture to life. The role was varied, covering administrative tasks, financial management, logistics, projects, communications, security, and environment, health, and safety (EHS) to make sure the facilities operated smoothly and were in line with the company’s goals.  

How did you feel when you learned you would be transitioning to CBRE? 

I was definitely apprehensive at first. Ultimately, my position went from being embedded in the business’s culture to becoming one of CBRE’s suppliers, so I was unsure of how my relationship with the business would change. 

I liked my role and felt confident in my responsibilities, and I was concerned that we would be asked to manage processes in a different way against our best knowledge. The team I was part of had a lot of experience in managing the facilities, but CBRE recognized our expertise and made it clear that we played an important role in the success of the client relationship. Throughout the transition, the team leaders were in constant communication with us. It was clear from the beginning that our skills were valued. 

From an HR point of view, the transition process was seamless. The HR team was very quick to respond to and resolve queries, which gave me confidence that everything would be managed well when we did move across.  

What was your experience like when starting at CBRE? 

Throughout the transition, the communication was very open. Any questions we had – whether they regarded HR issues or the role itself – were answered quickly. Our new coworkers also offered lots of support, so we felt comfortable with internal processes as we joined the business.  

From the start of our discussions, the CBRE team was keen to draw on our knowledge and experience. It was the same when we joined the business. They wanted to hear our ideas and take our lead with how we managed the facilities, so I always felt that my opinions and role were validated. 

We also received lots of training on the technical side of our roles, such as security management, as well as the softer skills, like leadership expertise. In addition to wanting us to transition smoothly to the business, CBRE also gave us everything we needed to thrive and develop.  

How did outsourcing help your role, team, and the business more broadly? 

CBRE’s ambition is to exceed client expectations, which means we bring more ideas to improve facilities to the forefront. As a specialist company, we have experience working with different accounts and in other countries, which gives us insights into better ways to manage facilities. Our client now benefits from this expertise. 

Another key benefit is standardization. Our processes have greater order, which gives clients clearer information to make decisions. Our compliance processes are also guaranteed, so the client carries less risk.  

How has your career developed since making the move?  

My role expanded beyond Peru to also manage offices in Chile, Bolivia, and Panama shortly after I joined CBRE. I am now focusing on Peru again, but I work closely with the CBRE platform team to support a wide range of tasks for our facilities here. I have also taken on new accounts, including a global financial services company. With CBRE’s support, I take the lead to implement new initiatives and make a tangible difference in the way we manage facilities.  

In addition to the training modules that we are assigned through CBRE’s learning platform, Talent Coach, we can also access other training to continue our personal development. It has opened my eyes to different possibilities in my role and wider career path.  

What is it like to work for CBRE? 

My role at CBRE is dynamic – every day is different. Our team leads many processes, and we play a strategic role in managing projects. It’s also a collaborative place to work and we have constant contact with our colleagues and leaders to learn and share ideas.  

Leadership here is very open and personable. CBRE is always preparing us for the future with training and plans to develop our roles. It’s a leading company, and being part of this business is exciting, especially given that the support we receive from experience leaders means we can see what our future holds.  

Looking ahead, what are your plans for the future?  

Business in Peru is evolving, and regional leadership is looking to us to expand our role in the country. I’m part of a growing team that is working to attract new clients, consolidate services from across the country, and develop the platform to strengthen CBRE’s position in Peru. It’s an exciting time for the business and the team in Peru.