Head of Property & Facilities Recruitment for The Academy of Medical Sciences

Background

The Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) is the UK's independent charity representing the full spectrum of medical science, from fundamental research through to clinical practice and healthcare delivery. Its mission is to improve health by advancing medical research, influencing policy and supporting scientific excellence.

Following a successful £5 million fundraising campaign, the Academy relocated its headquarters to an extensively refurbished Grade II listed Georgian townhouse and adjoining Mews building in the heart of London. Together, the 17,000 sq ft estate provides high-quality office accommodation, meeting facilities and event space for Fellows, staff, researchers, partners and commercial clients.

Over many years, Maxwell Stephens has developed a strong partnership with The Academy of Medical Sciences, supporting a number of successful exclusive recruitment campaigns. One of the most significant appointments was the recruitment of its Head of Property & Facilities.

The Challenge

The Head of Property & Facilities plays a pivotal leadership role within the Academy, taking responsibility for the strategic and operational management of its historic headquarters while supporting the organisation's long-term vision and commercial objectives.

This was far more than a traditional facilities management role. The successful candidate would be responsible for delivering a first-rate workplace and visitor experience while preserving a listed heritage building, supporting commercial venue hire and leading the Academy's future property strategy.

Key responsibilities included:

• Leading all property and facilities management operations.
• Developing and implementing the Academy's long-term property strategy.
• Delivering major refurbishment and capital improvement projects.
• Supporting sustainability initiatives and carbon reduction programmes.
• Managing relationships with landlords, consultants, contractors and suppliers.
• Maintaining the highest standards across the Academy's event and conference facilities.
• Overseeing Health & Safety, statutory compliance and operational risk.
• Supporting commercial income generation through venue hire.
• Developing workplace technology, AV and hybrid meeting capabilities.
• Managing security, building infrastructure and operational resilience.

The successful candidate would also work closely with hospitality and catering partners to ensure the Academy's venue continued to deliver a consistently high standard of experience for conferences, lectures, board meetings and high-profile scientific events.

Balancing heritage conservation, operational excellence, commercial performance and sustainability required a highly experienced and strategically minded facilities management leader. Candidates who have run a listed building, delivered capital projects and supported a commercial venue are each reasonably easy to find; candidates who have done all three at leadership level are not.

Our Approach

Having built a long-standing relationship with the Academy through several previous successful appointments, Maxwell Stephens had an in-depth understanding of both the organisation's culture and its ambitious long-term objectives.

Our executive search focused on identifying senior facilities management professionals with experience leading high-profile buildings where operational excellence, heritage preservation and stakeholder management were equally important. We targeted candidates with:

• Significant leadership experience within senior facilities management roles.
• Expertise managing listed or heritage buildings.
• Proven delivery of major property and capital projects.
• Strategic property planning and asset management experience.
• Sustainability and carbon reduction leadership.
• Commercial awareness and venue management expertise.
• Strong contractor, consultant and supplier management skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and executive communication abilities.
• The ability to balance strategic leadership with operational excellence.

Technical capability alone was not enough. The Academy needed someone who could operate confidently at leadership level while maintaining a first-rate experience for Fellows, employees, tenants, visitors and commercial clients alike.

The Outcome

Following an extensive executive search, Maxwell Stephens appointed a Head of Property & Facilities who closely matched the Academy's strategic, operational and cultural requirements. The successful candidate brought extensive experience managing high-profile estates together with a strong track record in capital projects, property strategy, facilities management leadership and sustainability.

Since joining the Academy, they have played an important role in:

• Leading the strategic management of the Academy's headquarters.
• Delivering workplace and property improvement programmes.
• Supporting the organisation's long-term sustainability objectives.
• Maintaining the presentation and operation of a Grade II listed building to a high standard.
• Strengthening relationships with contractors, consultants and service partners.
• Supporting commercial venue operations and income generation.
• Enhancing workplace technology, digital infrastructure and hybrid event capabilities.
• Ensuring the highest standards of compliance, safety and customer experience.

Their leadership has helped ensure the Academy's headquarters continues to reflect the standing of one of the UK's foremost medical institutions.

Feedback

"It has been my great fortune to have crossed paths with Maxwell Stephens. Maxwell Stephens were instrumental in acquiring me two senior positions, both of which have catapulted my career forward. If it hadn't been for their professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the highest levels of excellence, I would not be where I am today. If you are looking for a new role, your first course of action should be, call Maxwell Stephens."

— Head of Property & Facilities, The Academy of Medical Sciences

Why This Placement Worked

Senior property and facilities appointments call for a real understanding of leadership, strategy and organisational culture, not just a technical specification. Our long-standing relationship with The Academy of Medical Sciences allowed us to identify a candidate who possessed the technical expertise required and also shared the organisation's commitment to excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement.

If you are recruiting a senior property or facilities leader for a heritage building, a commercial venue or an organisation with an ambitious property strategy, Maxwell Stephens can help you define the brief and reach candidates with directly comparable experience. Get in touch with our team.