Background
CARE International UK is part of a globally recognised humanitarian organisation dedicated to fighting poverty and responding to emergencies. With operations in 87 countries, its mission depends on an efficiently managed office that supports staff in delivering critical work worldwide. CARE International UK asked Maxwell Stephens to recruit an experienced Office Manager for its London office in Vauxhall.
The Challenge
The role was multifaceted. Alongside overseeing the smooth running of the office, the Office Manager would cover facilities management, health and safety compliance, supplier and budget management, and office security. The successful candidate would also support travel safety procedures for staff working in high-risk locations — a responsibility with few parallels in a conventional corporate office manager role.
That breadth meant the ideal candidate had to be proactive, highly organised and capable of managing multiple priorities without losing focus on operational efficiency or staff well-being. In a humanitarian organisation the office is a support function for people doing difficult work elsewhere, and the person running it has to understand that their standards reach well beyond the building.
Our Approach
Maxwell Stephens starts from the view that good facilities management is about more than keeping things running; it is about creating an environment in which people and organisations can do their best work. Drawing on our network and sector knowledge, we identified candidates with:
- Strong facilities management experience, including supplier and contractor oversight.
- IOSH health and safety qualifications and experience managing compliance.
- A proactive, solutions-driven approach to office and budget management.
- The communication and leadership skills to manage teams and liaise with stakeholders.
An IOSH qualification at this level signals a candidate who treats health and safety as a discipline rather than a box to tick, which matters in any organisation where compliance and security responsibilities sit with the office manager.
The Outcome
After a thorough selection process, we placed an Office Manager who met all of these requirements, bringing both technical expertise and a genuine commitment to supporting CARE International UK's mission. The appointment has given the organisation:
- A well-maintained, efficiently run office that supports staff productivity.
- Compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations.
- Effective supplier and budget management, with a focus on cost-efficiency.
- Strong security and travel safety procedures for staff operating in high-risk areas.
Why This Placement Worked
Office manager roles in the charity and NGO sector are often recruited as administrative posts. This one was scoped from the outset as a facilities, compliance and security role with an administrative element, and the search was run for candidates with the qualifications to match. Getting that framing right is usually the difference between an office manager who copes and one who leads.
If you are recruiting an office or facilities manager for a charity, NGO or mission-led organisation, Maxwell Stephens can help. Get in touch with our team.