Client Overview
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is one of the UK’s most influential national organisations, representing millions of working people through its affiliated unions and serving as a key voice on employment, workplace and social policy.
As part of a significant organisational transformation programme, the TUC embarked on one of the most important property projects in its history: the disposal of its long-standing London headquarters and the transition to a new modern workplace environment.
To support this complex initiative, the organisation required an experienced Estates Manager capable of overseeing both the operational management of its existing estate and the successful delivery of a major headquarters relocation programme.
The Challenge
This was a highly specialised Estates Management appointment requiring a rare combination of operational expertise, project leadership and stakeholder management capability.
The successful candidate would be responsible for managing a Grade II* listed headquarters building while simultaneously supporting the planning and execution of a major property transition.
Key areas of responsibility included:
• Strategic estates management
• Headquarters relocation and transition planning
• Heritage and listed building management
• Facilities and workplace operations
• Health, safety and statutory compliance
• Contractor and supplier management
• Budget and service charge oversight
• Stakeholder engagement and communication
• Multi-site operational management
• Business continuity and risk management
The role required an individual capable of balancing day-to-day operational delivery with the demands of a large-scale property project, ensuring continuity of services while supporting the organisation through a period of significant change.
The fixed-term nature of the assignment, combined with the specialist experience required, created a highly competitive and limited candidate market.
Our Approach
Understanding the Requirement
Maxwell Stephens worked closely with the TUC to develop a detailed understanding of the operational, technical and strategic requirements of the role.
It was clear that the successful candidate would need to combine strong estates and facilities management expertise with experience leading workplace transitions, managing complex stakeholder groups and operating within highly visible environments.
Specialist Search Process
Drawing upon our extensive Estates and Facilities Management network, we conducted a targeted search focused on senior professionals with experience across:
• Headquarters Relocation Programmes
• Estates Management
• Heritage and Listed Buildings
• Workplace Transformation
• Multi-Site Facilities Management
• Health, Safety and Compliance
• Contractor and Supplier Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Operational FM Leadership
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying candidates who could demonstrate both strategic project delivery capability and hands-on operational leadership.
Candidate Assessment
Candidates were assessed against a comprehensive range of technical and behavioural competencies, including:
• Estates and property management expertise
• Relocation and workplace transition experience
• Heritage building management
• Compliance and governance knowledge
• Budget and service charge management
• Stakeholder engagement and communication
• Contractor and supplier performance management
• Leadership and organisational change capability
Our recruitment process focused on identifying an individual capable of successfully managing both the operational and strategic demands of the assignment.
The Outcome
Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an experienced Estates Manager with a strong background in complex estates operations, workplace relocations and stakeholder management.
The successful candidate brought extensive experience across both operational facilities management and strategic property projects, enabling them to quickly assume responsibility for the organisation’s existing estate while supporting the transition to its future headquarters.
Key strengths included:
• Proven delivery of major office relocation programmes
• Extensive estates and facilities management experience
• Expertise managing heritage and listed buildings
• Strong compliance and health and safety knowledge
• Effective contractor and supplier management capability
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary facilities teams
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
Following their appointment, the Estates Manager provided leadership across both the existing estate and the relocation programme, ensuring operational continuity while helping guide the organisation through a significant period of transformation.
Results Delivered
The appointment delivered immediate value to the organisation through:
• Successful recruitment within a highly specialised candidate market
• Strong alignment between technical expertise and organisational requirements
• Enhanced leadership of estates and facilities operations
• Support for a major headquarters relocation programme
• Effective management of a Grade II* listed building
• Continued compliance and operational resilience during transition
• Strong stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle
• Improved continuity across property and workplace services
The successful placement provided the organisation with an Estates Manager capable of balancing operational excellence with strategic project delivery, ensuring a smooth transition between historic headquarters and future workplace.
Specialist Estates & Facilities Management Recruitment
Maxwell Stephens supports organisations across corporate, public sector, membership, heritage and commercial environments with specialist recruitment solutions covering estates, workplace and facilities management.
Our expertise includes:
• Estates Management
• Headquarters Relocations
• Workplace Transformation
• Facilities Management
• Heritage & Listed Buildings
• Health, Safety & Compliance
• Property & Workplace Services
• Strategic Estates Leadership
By combining specialist Facilities Management recruitment expertise with a deep understanding of workplace change, property operations and estate strategy, we help organisations secure the leaders responsible for delivering successful transitions, operational resilience and long-term asset performance.
Read what our clients and candidates say about working with us on our testimonials page.