Background & Client Overview
PA Consulting, a leading management consultancy known for its work across innovation, technology and organisational transformation, appointed Maxwell Stephens to recruit an experienced Facilities Manager for the Cambridge Technology Centre (CTC) in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire.
The Cambridge Technology Centre required a high standard of Facilities Management to support its specialist, client-facing environment. The successful candidate would take responsibility for the effective operation of the site, ensuring buildings, engineering systems and workplace services remained safe, compliant, efficient and professionally managed.
Reporting to PA Consulting’s Head of Facilities, the role required a Facilities Management professional with strong technical knowledge, commercial awareness and the ability to manage a broad range of operational and project responsibilities.
The Challenge
PA Consulting required a Facilities Manager capable of taking comprehensive responsibility for CTC while maintaining the organisation’s demanding standards of service.
The successful candidate needed to combine technical Facilities Management expertise with project delivery, compliance management, supplier oversight and financial control.
Key requirements included:
Technical & Building Services Management
Maintaining effective oversight of mechanical and electrical systems and ensuring essential building services remained reliable and appropriately maintained.
Facilities Service Delivery
Managing internal and outsourced workplace services, including hospitality, catering, cleaning and other operational support functions.
Health & Safety Compliance
Ensuring Facilities Management activity remained aligned with relevant health and safety legislation, statutory obligations and recognised industry practice.
Building Projects & Refurbishments
Planning and delivering building works and refurbishment projects while minimising disruption to CTC’s ongoing operations.
Service Provider Management
Managing contractors and external service partners, monitoring performance and ensuring services consistently met PA Consulting’s expectations.
Budget Management
Taking responsibility for a significant Facilities budget, controlling expenditure and providing accurate forecasting.
Energy & Environmental Management
Supporting effective energy management and ensuring environmental considerations formed part of the wider Facilities Management approach.
Stakeholder Management
Working closely with the Head of Facilities, employees, contractors and other stakeholders to ensure operational requirements were understood and addressed effectively.
Our Recruitment Approach
Maxwell Stephens conducted a targeted search for Facilities Management professionals with experience operating within complex, high-profile and client-facing environments.
Given the technical nature of the Cambridge Technology Centre, particular emphasis was placed on candidates who could demonstrate:
- extensive Facilities Management experience
- strong knowledge of M&E systems
- health and safety expertise
- building-project and refurbishment experience
- supplier and contractor management
- budgetary and commercial awareness
- energy-management knowledge
- confidence working with senior stakeholders
- the ability to maintain high standards in a demanding operational environment
Following a detailed search and assessment process, Maxwell Stephens successfully placed an experienced Facilities Manager with more than a decade of relevant FM expertise.
Outcome & Impact
The successful candidate assumed responsibility for the full spectrum of Facilities Management at CTC and strengthened several areas of operational performance.
Enhanced Service Delivery
A structured approach to Facilities operations helped ensure internal and external services continued to meet PA Consulting’s high standards.
Closer management of providers across hospitality, catering, cleaning and other support services strengthened consistency and accountability.
Stronger Compliance & Safety
The Facilities Manager maintained a rigorous approach to health and safety, statutory compliance and environmental management.
Clear processes and effective oversight helped maintain a safe and professionally managed environment for employees, visitors and other stakeholders.
Improved Financial Control
The candidate managed a substantial Facilities budget with close attention to cost control, resource allocation and financial forecasting.
This supported efficient expenditure while maintaining required levels of service quality.
Effective Project Leadership
Building works and refurbishment projects were managed from initial planning through to completion.
The candidate coordinated contractors, budgets and operational requirements carefully, helping minimise disruption to the ongoing activities of the Cambridge Technology Centre.
Stronger Technical Oversight
Extensive knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems provided greater confidence in the management of building infrastructure and maintenance requirements.
Improved Energy Management
The candidate’s energy-management experience supported a more considered approach to building performance and operational efficiency.
Outcome
The successful placement provided PA Consulting with a Facilities Manager capable of balancing technical building operations, compliance, service delivery, projects and financial management within a complex technology-focused environment.
The appointment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens’ ability to identify technically experienced Facilities Management professionals for specialist workplaces where operational reliability, stakeholder service and technical competence are essential.
Looking for an experienced Facilities Manager to lead a technically complex or specialist workplace? Contact Maxwell Stephens to discuss your recruitment requirements.