Client Overview
PVH Corp. is one of the world's largest and most respected fashion companies, owning globally recognised brands including Calvin Klein and TOMMY HILFIGER. Operating across more than 40 countries, PVH combines iconic retail brands with a sophisticated international corporate infrastructure supporting thousands of employees across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
As the organisation continued to grow across the region, PVH identified the need for a senior leader capable of transforming its Corporate Services and Facilities function. The business partnered with Maxwell Stephens to recruit a Head of Corporate Services & Facilities (EMEA) for the Calvin Klein division—a strategically important appointment reporting directly to the Vice President of People.
The Challenge
This was a high-impact executive appointment with responsibility for creating and leading a modern Corporate Services function across multiple international locations.
Rather than inheriting an established department, the successful candidate would be responsible for designing many of the organisation's workplace standards, governance structures and operating procedures from the ground up.
The remit combined Corporate Real Estate, Facilities Management, Workplace Strategy and Corporate Travel across numerous European countries.
Key responsibilities included:
- Developing and implementing EMEA workplace standards and operational policies.
- Leading Corporate Real Estate strategy across multiple countries.
- Managing office acquisitions, relocations and lease negotiations.
- Overseeing Facilities Management across the regional office portfolio.
- Developing a consistent workplace experience across all EMEA locations.
- Delivering operational efficiencies and cost-saving initiatives.
- Managing capital expenditure and operational budgets.
- Leading procurement and supplier management.
- Implementing a regional Corporate Travel programme.
- Negotiating strategic supplier contracts.
- Supporting organisational growth through workplace planning and property strategy.
- Working closely with executive leadership to align workplace operations with business objectives.
The successful candidate required exceptional commercial awareness, international experience and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across multiple countries and business functions.
Our Approach
Maxwell Stephens worked closely with PVH's senior leadership team to develop a detailed understanding of both the operational requirements and the strategic ambitions of the role.
Given the international scope of the appointment, we undertook a highly targeted executive search focusing on senior Corporate Real Estate and Workplace leaders with experience operating across multinational organisations.
Our search targeted professionals with expertise in:
- International Corporate Real Estate
- Strategic Facilities Management
- Workplace Transformation
- Lease Negotiation
- Multi-country Operations
- Supplier & Contract Management
- Corporate Travel Management
- Financial & Commercial Leadership
- Workplace Strategy
- Executive Stakeholder Management
Each shortlisted candidate underwent comprehensive assessment covering strategic leadership, commercial capability, international experience, change management and cultural fit.
The Outcome
Following an extensive executive search, Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an outstanding Head of Corporate Services & Facilities (EMEA) whose experience perfectly aligned with PVH's international operations and ambitious growth plans.
The successful candidate quickly established themselves as a strategic business leader, transforming workplace operations while delivering substantial commercial value across the region.
Results Delivered
Major Operational Savings
By introducing new workplace standards, supplier strategies and operational processes, the successful candidate delivered operational efficiencies exceeding $200,000, significantly improving the performance of the Corporate Services function.
Transforming the Corporate Travel Programme
A completely new regional Corporate Travel programme was established, including the successful negotiation and implementation of a strategic partnership with American Express.
The introduction of new travel policies and supplier arrangements generated annual savings of approximately £95,000 for the London office alone while improving governance and traveller experience across the region.
Strategic Real Estate Success
The appointment played a leading role in several major real estate transactions, including:
- Successfully negotiating new office leases in Germany and Switzerland, delivering savings of more than $800,000.
- Securing new London headquarters with an exceptional commercial package, including a 15-month rent-free period and a significant landlord contribution towards office fit-out costs.
- Renegotiating existing lease and sublease arrangements around the Bond Street offices, improving both workplace quality and long-term commercial value.
Workplace Transformation
New workplace standards, governance procedures and Facilities Management processes were introduced across the EMEA portfolio, creating greater consistency, improved employee experience and stronger operational control.
Supplier & Contract Management
The successful candidate established stronger supplier partnerships, introduced improved procurement processes and implemented more effective contract management across multiple countries, ensuring consistently high service standards.
Supporting Business Growth
By aligning workplace strategy with wider business objectives, the appointment provided PVH with a scalable Corporate Services function capable of supporting continued international expansion across the EMEA region.
The Impact
The appointment transformed Corporate Services across PVH's Calvin Klein EMEA business.
Through strategic leadership, commercial negotiation and operational excellence, the successful candidate delivered significant financial savings while modernising workplace operations, improving employee experience and creating a scalable platform for future growth.
This assignment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens' expertise in recruiting senior Corporate Real Estate, Workplace and Facilities leaders for multinational organisations where strategic thinking, international experience and commercial leadership deliver measurable business value.