Background
Mott MacDonald, a globally renowned consultancy, asked Maxwell Stephens to recruit a Senior Facilities Management (FM) Consultant to join its team in Greater London. The role demanded a highly skilled individual capable of leading multiple projects at once, contributing to business development and mentoring junior staff.
A senior consultancy role in FM is a different proposition from a senior operational one. The successful candidate would not be running an estate; they would be advising clients on how to run theirs, helping to win that work in the first place, and building the capability of the team around them. That combination shapes the candidate pool from the outset.
The Challenge
Mott MacDonald needed a candidate who possessed extensive FM expertise and also had a strong background in business development and consultancy. Specifically, the ideal candidate had to be:
- Broad across FM disciplines. Adept in strategic reviews, procurement, contract management and environmental sustainability, rather than a specialist in one.
- Commercially capable. Comfortable contributing to business development and winning consultancy work, not only delivering it.
- Operationally proficient. Able to use business management systems, manage budgets and deliver high-quality projects to a consultancy standard.
- A developer of people. Willing and able to mentor junior staff while carrying a senior project load.
Practitioners with deep FM delivery experience often have little exposure to consultancy or to winning work; consultants with strong commercial skills are not always grounded in how facilities are actually run. Finding someone credible on both sides, at senior level, narrows the field considerably.
Our Approach
Maxwell Stephens approached the search with a clear strategy:
- Understanding the client's needs. Detailed consultations with Mott MacDonald to understand the specific requirements of the role and the organisational culture the appointee would be joining.
- Sourcing candidates. Drawing on our extensive network within the FM sector and our recruitment tools to identify people with the required skill set and experience.
- Screening and shortlisting. Thorough screenings and assessments to make sure that every candidate put forward met the standard Mott MacDonald required.
- Interviews and evaluation. Coordinating multiple rounds of interviews, managing communication between the client and candidates, and providing detailed feedback in both directions.
The Outcome
After a rigorous selection process, we identified a candidate who matched Mott MacDonald's requirements closely. The successful candidate brought:
- Extensive experience. A robust background in FM delivery and consultancy, with significant experience in both the public and private sectors.
- Professional qualifications. Membership of a recognised professional body with chartered status, affirming their expertise and commitment to the field.
- Business acumen. A strong track record in business development, demonstrating the ability to win consultancy work and contribute to strategic growth.
- Technical proficiency. Advanced knowledge of FM service standards and legislative requirements, and proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management tools.
- Communication skills. The ability to engage professionally with clients and team members, ensuring clear and effective communication.
Why This Placement Worked
Senior FM consultancy roles are frequently briefed as delivery roles with a business development expectation attached, and filled accordingly. This search treated commercial capability and technical breadth as equal parts of the specification, and assessed candidates against both. The result was a Senior Facilities Management Consultant who could win work as well as deliver it, which is what the role actually required.
If you are recruiting a senior FM consultant or a similar hybrid of technical and commercial responsibility, Maxwell Stephens can help you define the brief and reach candidates who genuinely cover it. Get in touch with our team.