Client Overview
Commercial Estates Group (CEG) is one of the UK’s leading property investment, development and asset management organisations, responsible for a diverse portfolio of commercial properties and business destinations across the country.
To support the ongoing performance of its Birmingham portfolio, CEG required an experienced Facilities Manager capable of overseeing multiple assets, maintaining high standards of service delivery and enhancing the occupier experience across a complex operational environment.
The appointment was critical to ensuring the effective management of facilities services, operational performance and compliance across a portfolio of high-profile commercial properties.
The Challenge
CEG required a Facilities Manager capable of leading facilities operations across multiple sites while ensuring consistency, efficiency and service excellence throughout the portfolio.
The successful candidate would be responsible for managing both hard and soft facilities services while supporting the wider objectives of asset performance, occupier satisfaction and operational resilience.
Key areas of responsibility included:
• Multi-site facilities management
• Hard and soft services oversight
• Contractor and supplier management
• Health, safety and statutory compliance
• Service charge and budget management
• Occupier engagement and customer service
• Operational risk management
• Sustainability and environmental initiatives
• Facilities software and performance reporting
• Team leadership and development
• Project support and operational continuity planning
The role required an individual capable of balancing operational delivery with commercial awareness, ensuring service standards were maintained while delivering value and supporting long-term asset objectives.
Strong organisational and leadership skills were essential, given the complexity of managing multiple assets, service providers and stakeholder groups simultaneously.
Our Approach
Understanding the Requirement
Maxwell Stephens worked closely with CEG to gain a comprehensive understanding of the portfolio, operational requirements and strategic objectives associated with the role.
The successful candidate needed to demonstrate not only strong facilities management expertise but also the commercial and interpersonal skills required to operate effectively within a property management environment.
Specialist Search Process
Drawing upon our extensive Facilities Management and Property Management network, we conducted a targeted search focused on candidates with experience across:
• Multi-site Facilities Management
• Commercial Property Management
• Hard & Soft Facilities Services
• Contractor and Supplier Management
• Service Charge Management
• Health, Safety & Compliance
• Sustainability & ESG Initiatives
• Occupier Experience
• Property Operations
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying candidates with proven experience managing commercial property portfolios while delivering exceptional customer service and operational performance.
Candidate Assessment
Candidates were assessed against a comprehensive range of operational, technical and behavioural competencies, including:
• Facilities and property management expertise
• Financial management and budgetary control
• Contractor performance management
• Compliance and governance
• Stakeholder engagement and communication
• Sustainability and environmental awareness
• Leadership and people management
• Operational planning and problem-solving
Our assessment process focused on securing a facilities professional capable of delivering immediate operational impact while supporting the long-term success of the Birmingham portfolio.
The Outcome
Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an experienced Facilities Manager with a strong background in commercial property operations, multi-site facilities management and customer-focused service delivery.
The successful candidate quickly established themselves as a key member of the property management team, taking ownership of facilities operations and driving improvements across multiple assets.
Key strengths included:
• Extensive multi-site facilities management experience
• Strong commercial and financial management capability
• Expertise across hard and soft FM service delivery
• Proven contractor and supplier management experience
• Strong compliance and risk management knowledge
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Professional industry qualifications, including IWFM membership and IOSH certification
Working closely with occupiers, contractors and internal stakeholders, the Facilities Manager successfully aligned operational activities with wider investment, asset management and property performance objectives.
Results Delivered
The appointment delivered significant benefits across CEG’s Birmingham portfolio, including:
• Enhanced oversight of multi-site facilities operations
• Improved management of hard and soft FM services
• Stronger budgetary control and financial performance
• Enhanced contractor management and service delivery standards
• Improved occupier engagement and customer satisfaction
• Increased focus on sustainability and environmental performance
• Strengthened health, safety and compliance management
• Improved operational resilience and continuity across the portfolio
The successful placement provided CEG with a facilities leader capable of delivering operational excellence while supporting the long-term performance and value of its Birmingham property portfolio.
Specialist Facilities & Property Management Recruitment
Maxwell Stephens supports property owners, investors, developers and managing agents with specialist recruitment solutions across facilities, property and estate management.
Our expertise includes:
• Facilities Management
• Multi-Site Portfolio Management
• Property Management
• Hard & Soft FM Services
• Health & Safety
• Sustainability & ESG
• Occupier Experience
• Property & Workplace Services
By combining specialist Facilities Management recruitment expertise with a deep understanding of commercial property operations, we help organisations secure the professionals responsible for maintaining high-performing, compliant and customer-focused environments.