Senior Technical Manager (Projects) for the FA Group at Wembley Stadium

Background

Maxwell Stephens recently completed the recruitment of a Senior Technical Manager (Projects) for the FA Group at Wembley Stadium. This case study sets out what the role involved, what made it demanding, and how we sourced and placed the right candidate.

Wembley Stadium, owned by The Football Association through Wembley National Stadium Limited, opened in 2007. With 90,000 seats it is the largest stadium in the UK, and its 134-metre arch carries more than three-quarters of the roof load.

The Challenge

The Senior Technical Manager (Projects) is pivotal in providing detailed development, leadership and management of project requirements within the Wembley Stadium Division. The role demands careful project scoping, timely delivery, budget adherence and exceeding the expectations of internal clients.

Project roles inside a major stadium carry constraints that most construction or property project managers never meet. Works have to be planned around an event calendar that cannot move, delivered in short windows by several contractors at once, and finished to a standard that stands up to public scrutiny on the next event day. Health and safety is non-negotiable in a venue that fills with the public, and hours follow the events rather than the office.

The essential requirements were:

• Advanced project management skills
• Experience in a multi-contractor environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CAD
• A relevant degree or qualification in building or construction
• A health and safety qualification
• Flexibility over working hours

Desirable additions were contractor and vendor management experience, experience in events, sports or exhibition venues, and proficiency in a second language.

Our Approach

• Understanding the client's needs. We held detailed discussions with the Stadium Services team in the Wembley Division and with Human Resources to understand the role's requirements and the FA Group's expectations in full.
• Sourcing candidates. Drawing on our extensive network and established search techniques, we identified several highly qualified candidates with the necessary technical expertise, leadership skills and industry experience.
• Screening and selection. Candidates went through a rigorous process of technical assessments, behavioural interviews and reference checks to confirm they met the essential and desirable criteria.

The Outcome

After thorough evaluation, we placed a candidate for the role. The chosen candidate brought a wealth of experience in project management within multi-contractor environments, together with strong leadership and communication skills.

Why This Placement Worked

In roles like this, multi-contractor project experience is the hardest requirement to acquire quickly and the one a stadium environment tests most. The search screened for it directly, alongside the construction and health and safety qualifications and evidence of leadership under time pressure, which gave the FA Group a shortlist able to do the job from the first event day.

If you are recruiting a technical or projects manager for a stadium, arena or other live events venue, Maxwell Stephens can help you define the brief and reach candidates who have delivered in multi-contractor environments. Get in touch with our team.