Supporting a High-Performance Workplace Environment at Activision Blizzard

Background

Activision Blizzard is one of the world's leading interactive entertainment companies, developing and publishing some of the most recognisable and successful gaming franchises globally. Its London studio operates in a fast-paced, creative and technology-driven environment, and the workplace has to keep up with it: facilities and workplace services are expected to support innovation and collaboration rather than simply keep the lights on.

To support the London studio, the organisation asked Maxwell Stephens to recruit an experienced Office & Facilities Supervisor/Manager — someone to oversee workplace services, facilities operations and employee support functions in a demanding, high-performing environment.

The Challenge

Activision Blizzard needed a facilities professional who could manage the day-to-day operation of the London studio while making sure the environment reflected the organisation's high standards. The role combined facilities management, workplace operations, health and safety, security and team leadership, so the appointee had to balance operational delivery with a strong employee and visitor experience.

The remit was broad:

• Workplace and facilities management
• Front-of-house and visitor services
• Office moves and workplace change coordination
• Contractor and supplier management
• Health, safety and compliance oversight
• Fire safety management
• Building security and access control
• Workplace administration and records management
• Service contract management
• Team leadership, recruitment and development

That breadth is what makes supervisor-level workplace roles in studio environments hard to fill. The successful candidate needed strong organisational skills, genuine operational expertise and the ability to hold several priorities at once in a fast-moving setting where workplace performance directly supports employee productivity and business success. Many candidates have depth in two or three of these areas; far fewer are credible across all of them, and fewer still are comfortable being the visible face of the workplace to employees and visitors at the same time.

Our Approach

Maxwell Stephens worked closely with Activision Blizzard to understand both the operational requirements of the role and the particular culture of the organisation. It was clear early on that facilities expertise alone would not be enough: the appointee would need strong interpersonal skills, leadership capability and a customer-focused approach to workplace service delivery.

• A targeted search through our facilities management and workplace services network. Rather than rely on advertising response, we searched for candidates with experience across workplace management, facilities management, office operations, corporate services, health & safety, front-of-house operations, building security, workplace experience, and team leadership and administration.
• Emphasis on fast-paced, customer-focused environments. We gave particular weight to candidates who had operated where service quality, responsiveness and attention to detail were essential, because those habits transfer directly to a studio setting.
• Assessment against technical and behavioural competencies. Candidates were assessed on facilities and workplace operations management; health, safety and compliance knowledge; contractor and supplier management; office administration and service delivery; leadership and people management; communication and stakeholder engagement; problem-solving and operational planning; and workplace experience and customer service.

The aim throughout was to identify an individual capable of supporting both the operational and the cultural requirements of a globally recognised entertainment business.

The Outcome

Maxwell Stephens placed an experienced Office & Facilities Supervisor/Manager who brought a strong combination of workplace management, facilities operations and leadership expertise. The successful candidate integrated quickly into the London studio, taking ownership of workplace services and keeping facilities, support services and employee-facing functions running smoothly.

Their key strengths included:

• Extensive facilities and workplace management experience
• Strong health and safety knowledge
• Proven contractor and supplier management capability
• Experience managing front-of-house and workplace services
• Effective leadership and team development skills
• Strong organisational and communication abilities

Working closely with internal stakeholders, contractors and service providers, the appointed manager played a key role in maintaining a safe, efficient and engaging workplace.

The placement gave Activision Blizzard an experienced workplace and facilities leader able to support both day-to-day operational standards and the evolving needs of a high-performance studio environment.

Why This Placement Worked

Studio and creative workplaces put the facilities function on show. The person running the office is judged on visitor experience and the feel of the space as much as on compliance and contractor performance, and a hire that is strong on one side and weak on the other tends to show quickly. This search defined the role as an equal blend of operations, safety, security and service from the outset, and assessed candidates on all of them rather than on facilities credentials alone.

Maxwell Stephens supports organisations across the technology, gaming, media, corporate and creative sectors with specialist recruitment for workplace management, facilities management, office and facilities leadership, corporate services, workplace experience, health & safety, front-of-house operations, and property and workplace services. If you are recruiting a workplace or facilities lead for a demanding studio or office environment, get in touch with our team.