Facilities Appointments for Royal Trinity Hospice

Background

Royal Trinity Hospice, in Clapham, London, needed an Assistant to the Head of Facilities. It was a new position, offered for a fixed initial period, created to support the Head of Facilities across day-to-day operations.

In a hospice, the standard of the environment is part of the standard of care. The role was about keeping the site safe, clean and well organised, while giving the Head of Facilities the administrative and operational support to focus on priorities.

The Challenge

The role mixed two skill sets that rarely sit together. On one side was administration: scheduling, document management, correspondence, report compilation and coordination of office space and staff schedules. On the other was hands-on operational responsibility, including acting as Fire Warden, running day-to-day activity in the Facilities team and supporting health and safety.

Healthcare added a further layer. The client wanted experience of cleaning coordination, preferably in a healthcare setting, with sound knowledge of cleaning protocols and infection control. IOSH certification was preferred. The hours included one weekend day a month, and the position was new and time-limited, which narrowed the number of people willing to consider it.

The interview was held in person at the hospice, which suited a role where presence and a visible, approachable manner count. Strong organisational ability, multitasking and clear communication were expected, along with practical problem solving. The right person would be comfortable supporting a senior colleague while also taking ownership on the ground.

Our Approach

• We took a detailed brief on how the new role would split between administrative support and operational oversight.
• We searched facilities and estates teams in healthcare and care settings, where infection control and cleaning standards are second nature.
• We screened for a hands-on approach, customer service skills and genuine experience of cleaning coordination, rather than administration alone.
• We kept the candidate engaged through an in-person interview and managed the offer to a start.

The Outcome

Maxwell Stephens made the appointment.

If you are creating a new facilities or estates support role, talk to Maxwell Stephens and we will help you shape the search, from the first conversation about the brief to the day the offer is accepted.