Background
Jupiter Asset Management is one of the UK's leading investment management companies, managing assets on behalf of institutional and private investors across the globe. Headquartered in London, Jupiter operates an international network of offices throughout Europe and Asia, supporting its clients through a culture built on collaboration, innovation and operational excellence.
To support its growing international footprint, Jupiter sought an experienced Head of Facilities to lead its Workplace and Facilities function. The role carried responsibility for the London headquarters while providing strategic oversight across the firm's global office portfolio.
Recognising our specialist expertise in senior facilities management recruitment, Jupiter appointed Maxwell Stephens to identify a high-calibre leader capable of operating within a complex, international financial services environment.
The Challenge
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the Head of Facilities would be responsible for developing and leading a facilities management function that supported both the operational performance and the long-term strategic objectives of the business. This was a highly visible leadership position, requiring someone capable of balancing operational standards, workplace experience, compliance, financial management and global stakeholder engagement. Key responsibilities included:
- Leading facilities management across Jupiter's London headquarters and international offices.
- Managing Workplace, Facilities and Reception teams.
- Driving operational consistency across multiple global locations.
- Overseeing office fit-outs, refurbishments and workplace projects.
- Managing health & safety, fire safety and statutory compliance.
- Developing business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
- Managing facilities budgets and financial performance.
- Procuring and overseeing third-party suppliers and service partners.
- Supporting workplace technology and infrastructure planning.
- Managing space planning, CAD drawings and workplace documentation.
- Leading environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives.
The successful candidate needed to combine strong strategic leadership with exceptional operational expertise while engaging confidently with senior executives, international stakeholders and external partners. In a regulated financial services firm, the facilities lead is also expected to hold their own with risk, compliance and technology colleagues, which narrows the field beyond pure FM experience.
Our Approach
Understanding the Organisation
We worked closely with Jupiter's leadership team to develop a detailed understanding of the organisation's operational structure, workplace strategy and long-term business objectives. This allowed us to build a comprehensive candidate profile that reflected both the technical requirements of the position and the leadership qualities needed to succeed within a global investment management business.
Executive Search
Drawing on our extensive facilities management network, we undertook a targeted executive search focused on senior workplace and facilities leaders with experience managing complex corporate estates and international office portfolios. We prioritised candidates who demonstrated:
- Senior facilities management leadership experience.
- International and multi-site portfolio management.
- Workplace strategy and project delivery expertise.
- Strong health & safety and statutory compliance knowledge.
- Financial and budget management capability.
- Contractor and supplier management expertise.
- Business continuity and risk management experience.
- Professional qualifications including IWFM, IOSH and NEBOSH.
Equally important was identifying individuals with the commercial awareness, communication skills and executive presence required to influence stakeholders at every level of the organisation.
Rigorous Candidate Assessment
Each shortlisted candidate completed a structured assessment process examining technical competence, leadership capability, strategic thinking, stakeholder management, cultural alignment and long-term career motivation. Rather than presenting a high volume of applicants, we delivered a carefully curated shortlist of candidates who were technically credible, commercially astute and fully aligned with Jupiter's requirements.
The Outcome
Maxwell Stephens appointed an experienced Head of Facilities who brought extensive expertise in corporate facilities management, global workplace operations and strategic property leadership. The successful candidate quickly assumed responsibility for facilities management across Jupiter's international office portfolio, providing strong operational governance while supporting the firm's wider business strategy. Since joining Jupiter, they have:
- Established consistent facilities management standards across international offices.
- Strengthened health & safety, fire safety and regulatory compliance.
- Enhanced workplace operations and employee experience.
- Delivered office projects and workplace improvements.
- Improved supplier performance and contract governance.
- Strengthened business continuity and operational resilience planning.
- Supported environmental and sustainability initiatives.
- Delivered effective financial management across the facilities function.
Their strategic leadership and operational expertise have helped ensure Jupiter's workplaces continue to support both employee performance and organisational growth across multiple international locations.
Specialist Recruitment for Global Financial Services Organisations
Recruiting senior facilities leaders for global investment firms demands a combination of technical expertise, commercial understanding and exceptional leadership capability. Through our specialist executive search methodology and decades of experience recruiting facilities management professionals, Maxwell Stephens delivered a senior leader capable of supporting Jupiter Asset Management's international operations while maintaining high standards of workplace performance, compliance and service delivery.
If you are recruiting a Head of Facilities or another senior workplace leader for a multi-office or regulated environment, Maxwell Stephens can help you define the brief and reach candidates with the right blend of technical depth and executive presence. Get in touch with our team.