Background
Boston University London (BU London) asked Maxwell Stephens to recruit a Facilities & Projects Manager for its campus. This case study follows that placement and what came after it: the candidate has since been promoted to Head of Facilities on the strength of their performance.
Boston University's London campus offers a diverse range of study abroad programmes and depends on a supportive, efficient environment for students and faculty. With a strong emphasis on maintaining high standards of facilities management, BU London wanted someone who could run day-to-day operations and also drive projects and improvements across the campus.
The Challenge
BU London needed a Facilities & Projects Manager who could:
- Oversee the maintenance and operation of the campus facilities.
- Lead projects aimed at improving infrastructure and services.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Improve the overall campus experience for students and staff.
That called for an unusual blend of technical skill, project management expertise and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Education estates add a further complication: improvement work has to be planned around term dates and the people using the buildings, so the manager needs to be as strong on scheduling and communication as on the technical side.
Our Approach
After a thorough evaluation, Maxwell Stephens presented BU London with a shortlist of strong candidates. The chosen candidate not only met but exceeded the requirements of the brief, bringing the combination of operational grounding and project capability that the role demanded.
The Outcome
From the outset, the new Facilities & Projects Manager showed strong leadership and technical acumen, managing several critical projects, including:
- Upgrading campus infrastructure to support a growing student population.
- Introducing energy-efficient solutions to reduce operational costs.
- Strengthening safety protocols and compliance measures.
That performance did not go unnoticed. Within two years, the candidate was promoted to Head of Facilities. In the new role, key achievements include:
- Strategic planning and delivery of large-scale renovation projects.
- Streamlining facilities operations to improve efficiency and service quality.
- Building a culture of continuous improvement and sustainability.
What the Client and Candidate Said
“Maxwell Stephens delivered an outstanding candidate who has transformed our facilities management approach. Their ability to lead and innovate has been instrumental in enhancing our campus environment. We are thrilled with the results and look forward to continuing our partnership with Maxwell Stephens for future recruitment needs.” - BU London's Leadership Team
"I have now been working at Boston University for 2 Years and enjoying the post very much. This has all come about because you helped make it happen of which I have very grateful indeed." - Candidate testimonial
Why This Placement Worked
Facilities and projects roles are often filled with a good operator who is then expected to grow into projects, or a good project manager who is expected to pick up operations. Recruiting for both from the start — and for the proactive temperament that turns a maintenance post into an improvement role — is what made this appointment a foundation for promotion rather than a stop-gap.
If you are recruiting a facilities or projects role for a campus or education estate, Maxwell Stephens can help. Get in touch with our team.