Background
ASOS is one of the world's leading online fashion retailers, serving millions of customers across the globe with an extensive range of fashion, beauty and lifestyle products. Operating internationally with dedicated websites and operations across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, ASOS has built its reputation on innovation, customer experience and rapid growth.
To support its expanding global workplace portfolio, ASOS appointed Maxwell Stephens to recruit a Senior Workspace Manager. Based at the company's Leavesden Customer Care Centre, the role also provided strategic oversight for facilities operations across Birmingham, together with regional offices in Paris, Berlin, Sydney and New York.
This was a senior leadership appointment requiring a highly experienced workplace professional capable of managing operational excellence while supporting the company's ambitious international growth.
The Challenge
Reporting to the Head of Workspace, the Senior Workspace Manager was responsible for delivering exceptional workplace services across a complex international property portfolio.
The successful candidate needed to combine strategic leadership with hands-on operational management, ensuring every workplace supported the ASOS brand, employee experience and business objectives.
Key responsibilities included:
- Leading workplace operations across multiple UK and international locations.
- Managing all hard and soft Facilities Management services.
- Ensuring full statutory compliance and Health & Safety governance.
- Leading on-site Workplace and Facilities teams.
- Managing vendor performance and strategic supplier relationships.
- Overseeing workplace budgets and financial performance.
- Supporting workplace strategy across the global portfolio.
- Leading operational readiness for office relocations, fit-outs and refurbishment projects.
- Managing Building Management Systems (BMS) and critical infrastructure.
- Driving exceptional workplace experience and customer service.
- Developing team capability through coaching and leadership.
- Managing service delivery through KPIs and SLAs.
The role demanded a leader capable of balancing operational excellence with strategic workplace planning while supporting a fast-moving, high-growth international business.
Our Approach
Working closely with ASOS, we developed a detailed understanding of both the technical requirements of the role and the company's dynamic culture.
Our executive search focused on senior Facilities and Workplace professionals with experience managing complex corporate environments and international office portfolios.
We prioritised candidates with expertise in:
- Workplace and Facilities Management leadership.
- Multi-site and international property portfolios.
- Hard and soft FM service delivery.
- Building projects, office fit-outs and workplace transformation.
- Contractor procurement and supplier management.
- Financial management and budget control.
- Health & Safety and statutory compliance.
- Building Management Systems and critical infrastructure.
- Team leadership and organisational development.
- Workplace strategy and employee experience.
Alongside technical capability, we sought professionals who demonstrated commercial awareness, strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to thrive within a fast-paced, constantly evolving organisation.
Professional qualifications such as IWFM, IFMA, RICS, or degree-level qualifications in Property, Building Services or Facilities Management were considered highly desirable.
The Outcome
Following a comprehensive executive search and rigorous assessment process, Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an outstanding Senior Workspace Manager.
The successful candidate brought extensive experience managing corporate workplaces, international property portfolios and complex operational environments.
Since joining ASOS, they have successfully:
- Strengthened workplace operations across multiple international offices.
- Enhanced supplier performance and service delivery.
- Improved compliance and operational governance.
- Supported workplace projects, office moves and fit-outs.
- Delivered consistent workplace standards across global locations.
- Managed significant operational budgets.
- Developed high-performing workplace teams.
- Enhanced the employee and visitor experience across the portfolio.
The appointment provided ASOS with an experienced workplace leader capable of supporting the company's continued international growth while maintaining the high standards expected of one of the world's leading fashion brands.
Supporting Global Workplace Excellence
Recruiting senior Workplace and Facilities leaders for international organisations requires more than technical expertise, it demands strategic thinking, operational excellence and the ability to lead across diverse cultures and locations.
Maxwell Stephens' specialist executive search expertise enabled ASOS to secure an exceptional Workplace leader capable of delivering world-class workplace experiences across a global portfolio.
Candidate Testimonial
"Working with Maxwell Stephens made the entire recruitment process straightforward and enjoyable. The team were professional, supportive and always available to answer questions or provide advice. I was kept informed throughout every stage by phone, email, text and even video calls. Their commitment didn't stop once I accepted the role—they even took the time to visit me after I started. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Maxwell Stephens to anyone looking for their next opportunity or searching for outstanding Facilities professionals."