Background
The Bader International Study Centre (BISC), located within the magnificent Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, is the international campus of Queen's University, Canada. Set within a stunning 600-acre estate, the campus combines world-class education with a unique historic setting, featuring a Grade I listed 15th-century castle, student accommodation, academic buildings, landscaped grounds and extensive recreational facilities.
Maintaining an estate of this scale and heritage requires specialist operational leadership. To support the long-term preservation and day-to-day management of the campus, BISC appointed Maxwell Stephens to recruit a Buildings & Facilities Manager. The successful candidate would oversee the maintenance, development and operational performance of one of the UK's most distinctive educational estates.
The Challenge
This was a highly diverse leadership role, combining heritage property management with modern Facilities Management, Health & Safety, project delivery and estate operations.
The successful candidate would be responsible for maintaining the historic castle while ensuring the wider campus continued to provide an exceptional environment for students, staff and visitors.
Key responsibilities included:
- Leading the maintenance and operational management of the 600-acre estate.
- Managing the preservation and upkeep of the Grade I listed castle.
- Overseeing student residences, academic buildings and ancillary facilities.
- Managing planned and reactive maintenance programmes.
- Leading the in-house maintenance team.
- Delivering capital works and refurbishment projects.
- Managing Health & Safety compliance across the estate.
- Working with security teams to enhance estate safety and CCTV systems.
- Managing contractor procurement and supplier performance.
- Overseeing the maintenance of the vehicle fleet.
- Managing operational budgets and financial planning.
The breadth of the role required an experienced Facilities professional capable of balancing heritage conservation with the operational demands of a busy international university campus.
Our Approach
Recognising the specialist nature of the appointment, Maxwell Stephens undertook a targeted executive search focused on professionals with experience managing large estates, heritage properties and complex Facilities Management operations.
Working closely with BISC's senior leadership, we identified the key technical competencies and personal qualities required to succeed within this unique environment.
Our search prioritised candidates with experience in:
- Heritage and listed building management.
- Estates and Facilities Management.
- Building maintenance and construction.
- Health & Safety leadership.
- Capital project delivery.
- Procurement and contractor management.
- Budget management and financial control.
- Team leadership and operational management.
Professional qualifications such as NEBOSH, IWFM/CIWFM, CIOB, City & Guilds, or equivalent construction and Facilities Management credentials were important considerations throughout the recruitment process.
In addition to technical expertise, we sought candidates with excellent leadership skills, strong communication abilities and a collaborative approach capable of working with academic staff, students, contractors and senior stakeholders alike.
The Outcome
Following a comprehensive executive search, Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an outstanding Buildings & Facilities Manager.
The successful candidate brought extensive experience in estates management, heritage buildings and operational Facilities leadership, enabling them to quickly take responsibility for the maintenance and strategic development of the campus.
Since joining BISC, they have successfully:
- Led the maintenance and preservation of the Grade I listed estate.
- Improved planned maintenance and operational efficiency.
- Strengthened Health & Safety governance across the campus.
- Successfully managed capital improvement and refurbishment projects.
- Enhanced contractor performance and procurement processes.
- Supported the continued development of the estate while preserving its historic character.
- Delivered an exceptional environment for students, staff and visitors.
Their appointment has ensured the Bader International Study Centre continues to benefit from professional estate leadership while safeguarding one of the UK's most remarkable educational environments.
Recruiting Estates & Facilities Leaders for Heritage Environments
Managing historic estates requires a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic leadership and an appreciation for heritage conservation.
Through our specialist Facilities and Estates Management executive search process, Maxwell Stephens successfully delivered a high-calibre appointment capable of preserving the past while supporting the future of this exceptional international campus.
Candidate Testimonial
"Professional, knowledgeable and incredibly supportive throughout the entire recruitment process. Maxwell Stephens kept me fully informed at every stage, offering interview preparation, guidance and regular communication before and after each interview. Their expertise gave me real confidence, and I always felt they genuinely cared about helping me secure the right opportunity. Thanks to their support, I secured what I can honestly describe as my dream job."