Background
Commercial Estates Group (CEG) is a property management company with a portfolio of over 100 properties across the UK. Its stated purpose goes beyond constructing and managing physical space: CEG sets out to create environments where the businesses in its buildings can thrive and the people using them can flourish. That commitment shapes how it recruits for site-based roles, and it was the starting point when CEG asked Maxwell Stephens to find a Building Manager for one of its key properties in Luton.
The Challenge
CEG needed a Building Manager who could uphold its standards on site: impeccable customer service for occupiers, efficient day-to-day operations, and proactive management of every aspect of the building rather than a reactive, job-by-job approach.
A single-site Building Manager role of this kind is more demanding than it looks. The manager is the landlord's face to every tenant in the building, the first point of contact when something goes wrong, and the person responsible for keeping subcontracted services, inspections and compliance on track without a large team around them. Candidates with the operational experience are not always the ones with the service instinct, and a property business that defines itself by the quality of its communities cannot compromise on either.
Our Approach
Maxwell Stephens began by analysing CEG's requirements in detail, so that the search was measured against what the role actually needed rather than a generic building management job description. We then searched for candidates who not only had the requisite experience but also showed the ethos CEG was looking for: a genuine commitment to service and a proactive, leadership-minded approach to running a building.
Drawing on our extensive network and specialism in facilities management recruitment, we identified a candidate whose skills and attributes matched CEG's vision closely.
The Outcome
The selected candidate brought a wealth of experience in facilities and building management and a proven track record of overseeing a diverse set of responsibilities. A strong focus on customer service, combined with robust organisational and managerial skills, made them a clear fit for the role.
On taking up the position, the new Building Manager integrated into the CEG team and quickly took responsibility for all facets of property management at the site. Their proactive approach to customer management led to strong, lasting relationships with tenants, supporting high levels of satisfaction and retention.
Their management of subcontracted services and close oversight of building operations resulted in streamlined processes, improved efficiency and cost savings for CEG. By introducing rigorous inspection protocols and building a culture of safety and high standards on site, they ensured the property consistently met and exceeded regulatory requirements.
"We are immensely grateful to Maxwell Stephens for their exceptional recruitment services. The candidate they provided has proven to be an invaluable asset to our team, consistently delivering outstanding results and upholding our commitment to excellence. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Maxwell Stephens for all our future recruitment needs." — CEG Management Team
Why This Placement Worked
The search was framed around CEG's ethos as much as the technical requirements of the role. Building management appointments succeed or fail on the relationship between the manager and the occupiers, and assessing for service instinct and proactivity from the outset is what produced a candidate who could deliver on both fronts.
If you are recruiting a Building Manager for a tenant-facing commercial property — someone who has to combine operational control with a visible, service-led presence on site — Maxwell Stephens can help you find them. Get in touch with our team.
Planning a similar appointment? Explore our Facilities Management recruitment approach.