Client Overview
Costain is one of the UK’s leading infrastructure,engineering and construction organisations, delivering complex projects acrosstransportation, energy, water and defence sectors. With a nationwideoperational footprint and a reputation for excellence, Costain relies onhigh-performing workplaces and project environments to support its people andproject delivery teams.
To strengthen its Group Facilities function, Costainrequired an experienced Group Facilities Manager to oversee facilitiesoperations across a regional portfolio, ensuring operational efficiency,statutory compliance and strategic estate management across multiple locations.
The role was critical in supporting both corporate officesand project facilities while helping to deliver safe, efficient and resilientworking environments throughout the South of the UK.
The Challenge
Costain required a Group Facilities Manager capable of providing both operational leadership and strategic oversight across a diverse portfolio of office and project facilities.
The successful candidate would be responsible for maintaining high standards of facilities management while supporting business continuity, compliance and long-term estate planning.
Key areas of responsibility included:
• Multi-site facilities management
• Corporate office and project facility operations
• Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) oversight
• Reactive maintenance management
• Health, safety and statutory compliance
• Contractor and supplier management
• Security and operational resilience
• Business continuity planning
• Capital improvement and lifecycle planning
• Budget management and financial control
• Office mobilisation and demobilisation projects
• Workplace technology and AV infrastructure support
The role required a facilities professional capable of operating across multiple locations while balancing day-to-day operational requirements with longer-term strategic objectives.
Strong leadership capability, commercial awareness and a detailed understanding of compliance obligations were essential, together with the ability to support project teams operating within fast-moving environments.
Our Approach
Understanding the Requirement
Maxwell Stephens worked closely with Costain’s leadership team to gain a detailed understanding of the organisation’s facilities management structure, operational priorities and future estate requirements.
The successful candidate would need to combine technical expertise with strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to operate effectively across both corporate and project environments.
Specialist Search Process
Drawing upon our extensive Facilities Management network, we conducted a targeted search focused on candidates with experience across:
• Multi-Site Facilities Management
• Corporate Workplace Operations
• Construction and Engineering Environments
• Health & Safety Compliance
• Contractor and Supplier Management
• Capital Projects and Asset Planning
• Business Continuity and Operational Resilience
• Workplace Technology and AV Systems
• Property and Facilities Leadership
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying candidates with experience managing geographically dispersed estates while maintaining high standards of service delivery and compliance.
Candidate Assessment
Candidates were assessed against a comprehensive range of technical, operational and leadership competencies, including:
• Facilities management expertise
• Contractor and supplier management capability
• Health, safety and compliance knowledge
• Budget management and financial control
• Property and workplace operations experience
• Capital planning and project delivery capability
• Business continuity and risk management awareness
• Stakeholder engagement and communication skills
Our assessment process focused on identifying an individual capable of supporting both the immediate operational requirements of the business and its long-term facilities strategy.
The Outcome
Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed a highly experienced Group Facilities Manager with a strong background in multi-site facilities management, compliance leadership and operational delivery.
The successful candidate brought extensive experience managing complex property portfolios and demonstrated the technical expertise and leadership capability required to support Costain’s national operations.
Key strengths included:
• Extensive multi-site facilities management experience
• Strong contractor and supplier management expertise
• Comprehensive health, safety and compliance knowledge
• Proven budget management and commercial awareness
• Experience supporting corporate and operational environments
• Strong business continuity and risk management capability
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• A proactive and solutions-focused management style
Following their appointment, the Group Facilities Manager assumed responsibility for facilities operations across their regional portfolio, helping to strengthen operational performance, compliance and workplace support services.
Results Delivered
The appointment delivered significant benefits across Costain’s property portfolio, including:
• Enhanced leadership of facilities operations across multiple locations
• Improved oversight of planned and reactive maintenance programmes
• Strengthened health, safety and statutory compliance performance
• Improved contractor and supplier management
• Enhanced business continuity and operational resilience
• Greater control of facilities budgets and expenditure
• Effective support for project office mobilisation and demobilisation
• Continued delivery of safe, efficient and high-performing workplace environments
The successful placement provided Costain with a Group Facilities Manager capable of delivering operational excellence while supporting the organisation’s wider business objectives and long-term property strategy.
Specialist Facilities Management Recruitment
Maxwell Stephens supports engineering, infrastructure, construction and corporate organisations with specialist recruitment solutions across facilities management, workplace operations and property leadership.
Our expertise includes:
• Group Facilities Management
• Multi-Site Facilities Leadership
• Workplace Operations
• Health & Safety Compliance
• Contractor Management
• Business Continuity Planning
• Capital Projects & Asset Management
• Strategic Facilities Leadership
By combining specialist Facilities Management recruitment expertise with a deep understanding of operationally complex environments, we help organisations secure the professionals responsible for maintaining safe, compliant and high-performing estates.