Background
Dun & Bradstreet is a business data and analytics company with offices across the UK. Its Marlow office needed a Facilities and Health & Safety Coordinator to support the UK Facilities Leader, and it asked Maxwell Stephens to find one.
The post combines two jobs that are often split: day-to-day facilities administration and responsibility for health and safety in every UK office.
The Challenge
On the safety side, the post holder writes and amends policies, tracks changes in legislation, carries out fire, premises and occupational risk assessments, and trains the first responders on each site. The client wanted someone who could take in detailed legal and regulatory information and apply it, and who was confident delivering training to colleagues.
On the facilities side, the work runs through the relationship with the building managing agent and its contractors, other vendors, the intranet pages, the order-to-invoice process with cost controls, and backup for reception. A recognised occupational health and safety qualification such as NEBOSH was the minimum, alongside facilities experience, and the person had to work independently across several tasks at once.
The client was also clear about temperament. The post holder needs to be patient yet assertive, able to work with minimal supervision, and willing to take on ad hoc project work as it arises. Because the role also provides backup to reception, a good level of education and a practical, unflustered manner mattered as much as the technical qualification.
Our Approach
- We took a detailed brief from the client on how far the role leaned towards compliance as opposed to administration.
- We searched for facilities and health and safety advisers in office-based businesses, concentrating on people who already held the required safety qualification.
- We screened for the ability to carry out risk assessments and deliver training with authority, as well as the discipline for purchasing and invoice control.
- We shortlisted with full CVs and our notes, and then handled the offer stage with the client.
The Outcome
Maxwell Stephens made the appointment.
If you are weighing up a similar appointment, talk to Maxwell Stephens about how we would approach the search.
Planning a similar appointment?
If you are recruiting for a similar role, our team can help you define the brief, reach the right candidates and manage the process through to appointment.