Background & Client Overview
John Brown Media, a specialist business operating across marketing communications, media and publishing, appointed Maxwell Stephens to recruit an experienced Facilities Manager to oversee its workplace operations.
The role was central to maintaining a safe, efficient and productive working environment, with responsibility spanning building maintenance, health and safety, budgets, supplier management, workplace services and team leadership.
Given the breadth of the remit, John Brown Media required a Facilities Management professional who could combine strong operational experience, commercial awareness, people leadership and a proactive approach to compliance and service improvement.
The Challenge
The Facilities Manager role covered a wide range of operational and strategic responsibilities.
The successful candidate needed to manage day-to-day workplace services while also controlling costs, maintaining compliance and ensuring employees received a consistently high standard of support.
Key responsibilities included:
Building Maintenance & Workplace Operations
Overseeing general maintenance and ensuring buildings, equipment and workplace services remained reliable and fit for purpose.
Health & Safety Leadership
Acting as the workplace safety representative, carrying out risk assessments and managing health and safety policies and procedures.
Compliance Management
Coordinating activities including fire drills, PAT testing, water treatment and pest-control services while ensuring relevant requirements were properly managed.
Budget & Cost Management
Taking responsibility for Facilities budgets, reviewing expenditure and identifying appropriate cost-saving opportunities.
Contract & Supplier Management
Reviewing Facilities contracts and working closely with maintenance contractors and subcontractors to ensure repairs and services were delivered effectively.
Team Leadership
Leading and motivating the Facilities team while maintaining strong standards across Reception, Post Room and Catering operations.
Facilities Meetings & Task Management
Chairing regular Facilities meetings, prioritising operational requirements and delegating responsibilities effectively.
Event Coordination
Supporting company events and ensuring Facilities-related logistics were organised and delivered smoothly.
Our Recruitment Approach
Maxwell Stephens conducted a targeted search for Facilities Management professionals with proven experience in corporate workplace operations, health and safety, team leadership and supplier management.
Our assessment focused on candidates who could demonstrate:
- broad Facilities Management experience
- building-maintenance knowledge
- health and safety and risk-management capability
- budgetary and commercial awareness
- contractor and supplier management
- leadership of workplace-support teams
- strong organisation and prioritisation
- clear stakeholder communication
- a proactive approach to continuous improvement
Particular attention was given to candidates capable of balancing operational demands with the service expectations of a creative and fast-moving working environment.
Following a detailed search and assessment process, Maxwell Stephens successfully placed a highly experienced Facilities Manager with John Brown Media.
Outcome & Impact
The successful appointment strengthened several areas of John Brown Media's workplace operation.
Improved Operational Efficiency
The Facilities Manager introduced a more structured approach to Facilities activity, helping improve day-to-day coordination and workplace performance.
Stronger Health & Safety Management
Clear oversight of risk assessments, policies and routine compliance activities helped maintain a safe and well-managed working environment.
Improved Budget Control
Effective management of Facilities expenditure and regular review of contracts helped identify opportunities for cost efficiencies without compromising essential services.
Stronger Supplier Management
Closer coordination with maintenance contractors and service providers helped improve accountability and the delivery of building repairs and workplace services.
Enhanced Team Leadership
The successful candidate provided clear direction to the Facilities team, helping maintain strong standards across Reception, Post Room, Catering and wider support functions.
Better Compliance Coordination
Regular activities such as fire drills, PAT testing, water treatment and pest-control arrangements were managed within a more structured Facilities framework.
Effective Workplace Support
The candidate's broad operational experience helped ensure Facilities services continued to support employees effectively while responding to the changing needs of the business.
Outcome
The successful placement gave John Brown Media a Facilities Manager capable of balancing building operations, compliance, financial control, supplier management and team leadership within a busy corporate environment.
The appointment demonstrates Maxwell Stephensbuilding operations, compliance, financial control, supplier management and team leadership** within a busy corporate environment.
The appointment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens' ability to identify Facilities Management professionals who can strengthen both the day-to-day performance and longer-term efficiency of workplace operations.
Looking for an experienced Facilities Manager to improve workplace operations, compliance and team performance? Contact Maxwell Stephens to discuss your recruitment requirements.