Background
Principal Place is one of London's most recognisable mixed-use developments, located in the heart of Shoreditch. Developed by Brookfield Properties, the landmark scheme combines a 600,000 sq ft Grade A office building, premium retail and restaurant space, landscaped public realm, luxury residential accommodation and extensive roof terraces. The development is also home to Amazon's UK Headquarters, making it one of the capital's highest-profile commercial destinations.
As preparations continued for the operational management of this flagship asset, Brookfield Properties appointed Maxwell Stephens exclusively to recruit an Operations Manager. The successful candidate would play a central role in delivering exceptional building performance and customer experience across one of London's most prestigious commercial developments.
The Challenge
Managing an asset of Principal Place's scale and profile required an experienced Operations Manager capable of balancing technical building management with exceptional stakeholder engagement.
The successful candidate would oversee the day-to-day operational performance of the development, ensuring world-class service delivery for occupiers, visitors and retail tenants while maintaining the highest standards of compliance, safety and presentation.
Key responsibilities included:
- Leading the operational management of a landmark mixed-use development.
- Managing hard and soft Facilities Management services.
- Coordinating contractors and specialist service providers.
- Building strong relationships with occupiers, retailers and stakeholders.
- Maintaining exceptional Health & Safety and statutory compliance.
- Supporting financial and service charge management.
- Driving operational efficiencies and continuous improvement.
- Ensuring an outstanding customer experience across the estate.
- Supporting the mobilisation and ongoing operation of Amazon's headquarters.
Given the prominence of the development, Brookfield required an individual capable of representing the organisation professionally while operating confidently within a fast-paced, high-profile environment.
Our Approach
Working closely with Brookfield's senior leadership team, we developed a detailed understanding of the operational requirements of Principal Place and the calibre of individual needed to support such a prestigious development.
Leveraging our extensive network within commercial real estate and Facilities Management, we undertook a targeted executive search focusing on professionals with experience managing premium commercial assets and mixed-use developments.
We prioritised candidates who demonstrated:
- Commercial property and Building Management expertise.
- Strong operational leadership skills.
- Experience managing premium corporate environments.
- Excellent contractor and supplier management capability.
- Outstanding stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
- Technical knowledge of building services and compliance.
- Commercial awareness and customer-focused leadership.
- The confidence to represent a world-class property development.
In addition to technical competence, significant emphasis was placed on personality, professionalism and the ability to build trusted relationships with occupiers, clients and service partners.
The Outcome
Following an extensive executive search, Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an outstanding Operations Manager for Principal Place.
The successful candidate brought extensive experience managing high-profile commercial properties together with exceptional stakeholder management and operational leadership skills.
Since joining Brookfield Properties, they have successfully:
- Supported the operational management of one of London's premier mixed-use developments.
- Maintained exceptional workplace and public realm standards.
- Built strong relationships with occupiers, retailers and contractors.
- Ensured high levels of Health & Safety and statutory compliance.
- Delivered outstanding customer service across the estate.
- Supported the efficient operation of Amazon's UK headquarters.
- Contributed to the long-term success of one of London's flagship commercial developments.
This appointment further strengthened Maxwell Stephens' long-standing relationship with Brookfield Properties and reinforced our reputation for delivering senior Facilities and Property Management professionals for landmark developments.
A Trusted Recruitment Partner for Premium Commercial Real Estate
For more than two decades, Maxwell Stephens has partnered with leading property owners, investors and managing agents to recruit exceptional Facilities and Property Management professionals.
Our specialist market knowledge, extensive industry network and rigorous executive search methodology continue to deliver high-calibre appointments for some of the UK's most prestigious commercial assets.
Client Testimonial
"I have known Peter professionally for over ten years and have used Maxwell Stephens extensively. They have an excellent reputation for delivering high-quality Facilities and Property Management professionals. They take the time to understand each requirement, maintain regular communication throughout the process and consistently recommend candidates worth meeting. Their knowledge of the market, salary benchmarking and industry insight is invaluable. I'm very happy to use Maxwell Stephens as our sole recruitment partner."