Client Overview
Kisharon School is a specialist Free School with a strong Jewish ethos, providing education and support for children and young people aged 4 to 19 with a wide range of complex learning needs, including autism spectrum conditions, physical disabilities, sensory impairments and additional learning difficulties.
As part of its continued development, the school completed the construction of its new Parson Street campus, a purpose-built facility designed to provide a safe, accessible and supportive learning environment for students, staff and visitors.
To support the successful transition into the new building, Kisharon School required an experienced Site and Facilities Manager capable of leading the operational handover, establishing facilities management processes and ensuring the site was fully prepared for occupation.
The Challenge
The appointment was critical to the successful mobilisation and ongoing management of a newly completed educational facility.
Kisharon School required a Site and Facilities Manager who could take ownership of both the building handover process and the ongoing operation of the estate, ensuring that the new campus met the highest standards of safety, compliance and operational performance.
Key areas of responsibility included:
• Site mobilisation and building handover management
• Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) implementation
• Reactive maintenance management
• Health, safety and statutory compliance
• Fire safety and emergency preparedness
• Contractor and supplier management
• Service Level Agreement (SLA) oversight
• Building systems and infrastructure management
• Security and site operations
• Risk management and compliance auditing
• Minor works and building repairs
• Stakeholder engagement with staff, contractors and leadership teams
The successful candidate needed to possess a strong technical understanding of building operations alongside the leadership capability required to manage a complex site transition.
Experience within educational environments and knowledge of compliance areas such as COSHH, asbestos management and fire safety were considered essential.
Our Approach
Understanding the Requirement
Maxwell Stephens worked closely with the Headteacher, Trustees and senior leadership team to gain a detailed understanding of the school’s operational requirements, organisational culture and the complexities associated with bringing a new campus into full operation.
The successful candidate would need to combine technical facilities expertise with strong organisational skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Specialist Search Process
Drawing upon our extensive Facilities Management and Education sector network, we conducted a targeted search focused on candidates with experience across:
• Educational Facilities Management
• Site and Estates Management
• Building Handover and Mobilisation Projects
• Planned and Reactive Maintenance
• Health & Safety Compliance
• Contractor and Supplier Management
• Building Services and Infrastructure
• Operational Risk Management
• Statutory Compliance
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying candidates with experience managing new-build facilities and overseeing site mobilisation programmes.
Candidate Assessment
Candidates were assessed against a comprehensive range of technical and operational competencies, including:
• Facilities and site management expertise
• Building handover experience
• Health, safety and compliance knowledge
• Contractor management capability
• Maintenance planning and coordination
• Leadership and decision-making skills
• Crisis management and problem-solving ability
• Stakeholder engagement and communication
Our recruitment process focused on identifying an individual capable of delivering immediate operational leadership while supporting the long-term success of the new campus.
The Outcome
Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an experienced Site and Facilities Manager who exceeded the school’s expectations both technically and culturally.
The successful candidate quickly assumed responsibility for the site handover process and played a key role in ensuring the Parson Street campus was fully operational and ready for occupation.
Key strengths included:
• Extensive facilities and site management experience
• Strong health, safety and compliance expertise
• Proven maintenance and contractor management capability
• Experience supporting building mobilisation and handover projects
• Strong technical knowledge of building services and infrastructure
• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach
Following their appointment, the Site and Facilities Manager successfully established operational processes, implemented maintenance programmes and ensured compliance standards were maintained across the new facility.
Results Delivered
The appointment delivered significant benefits to Kisharon School during a critical stage of its development, including:
• Successful mobilisation and operational handover of the new Parson Street campus
• Implementation of Planned Preventative Maintenance programmes
• Enhanced health, safety and statutory compliance management
• Effective contractor and supplier oversight
• Improved operational readiness and building performance
• Stronger facilities governance and risk management
• Safe, secure and well-maintained learning environments
• Ongoing support for staff, students and visitors
The successful placement provided Kisharon School with the facilities leadership required to ensure a smooth transition into its new campus while supporting the school’s commitment to providing outstanding educational environments for young people with complex needs.
Specialist Education Facilities Recruitment
Maxwell Stephens supports schools, colleges, universities and specialist educational organisations with recruitment solutions across facilities, estates and property management.
Our expertise includes:
• Site & Facilities Management
• Estates Management
• Educational Facilities Recruitment
• Building Handover & Mobilisation
• Health & Safety Compliance
• Maintenance Management
• Contractor & Supplier Management
• Property & Workplace Services
By combining specialist Facilities Management recruitment expertise with a deep understanding of educational environments, we help organisations secure the professionals responsible for maintaining safe, compliant and high-performing estates.