Interim Head of Facilities Management for Sporting Index

Background

Sporting Index appointed Maxwell Stephens to fill an urgent Interim Head of Facilities Management role at its London workplace. The appointment was important to maintaining an efficient, engaging and well-managed environment for employees, suppliers and visitors while the business continued to operate at pace.

The successful candidate needed to combine broad facilities and operations expertise with visible leadership, practical problem-solving and the flexibility to manage competing priorities in a demanding, open-plan environment.

The Challenge

The brief covered a wide range of workplace and operational responsibilities. Sporting Index needed someone who could take ownership quickly and provide experienced leadership across:

• Facilities and workplace operations. Overseeing the office environment, space planning and seating arrangements while maintaining an effective and productive workplace.
• Procurement and contracts. Managing suppliers, contracts and purchasing activity while keeping service standards and commercial considerations in balance.
• Health & safety. Maintaining appropriate standards and ensuring workplace requirements were managed consistently.
• Office moves and space changes. Coordinating changes to the workplace with minimal disruption to the business.
• Technology and process improvement. Introducing new ways of working and supporting robust, efficient operational processes.
• Team leadership. Providing a visible presence, leading by example and supporting the team in a high-pressure environment.
• Problem-solving and flexibility. Handling ambiguity, shifting priorities and unexpected issues with a practical and proactive approach.

The ideal candidate needed substantial senior facilities or operations experience, together with strong relationship-management skills and the confidence to make decisions quickly in a fast-moving workplace.

Our Approach

Maxwell Stephens used its Facilities Management network and specialist market knowledge to identify interim leaders who could step into the role immediately and operate effectively from day one.

The search focused on candidates with proven experience at Head of Facilities or Head of Operations level, particularly those who had worked in creative, technology-led or similarly dynamic environments.

Our assessment considered:

• senior facilities and operations experience
• team leadership
• procurement and contract management
• health and safety
• office moves and workplace change
• process improvement
• stakeholder and supplier relationships
• problem-solving under pressure
• flexibility and cultural fit

Following a focused interim search and selection process, Maxwell Stephens placed an experienced Interim Head of Facilities Management who matched the operational and leadership requirements of the role.

The Outcome

The successful candidate quickly established themselves within Sporting Index and strengthened the day-to-day management of the workplace.

• Stronger facilities leadership. The interim appointment provided clear ownership and visible leadership across workplace operations.
• Improved operational efficiency. Processes were reviewed and strengthened, helping the Facilities function operate more consistently and responsively.
• Better use of workplace space. Seating plans and office arrangements were managed with a focus on supporting productivity, collaboration and effective use of the environment.
• Effective supplier and contract management. Procurement and external service relationships received closer oversight, supporting stronger operational control.
• Greater flexibility and resilience. The candidate handled conflicting priorities and ambiguous situations calmly, helping maintain continuity in a fast-moving environment.
• Positive stakeholder experience. A proactive and service-focused approach helped ensure the workplace continued to support employees, suppliers and visitors effectively.

Why This Placement Worked

Interim facilities leadership requires someone who can understand the operating environment quickly, establish credibility and make practical decisions without a long bedding-in period. Sporting Index needed that combination of senior experience, adaptability and visible leadership, and the search was built around those qualities from the outset.

The placement demonstrates Maxwell Stephens' ability to provide experienced interim Facilities Management leadership for organisations that need immediate support, continuity and operational improvement. If you are looking for an interim Head of Facilities or senior FM professional, get in touch with our team.