The Institute for Government (IfG) is the UK's leading independent think tank dedicated to improving the effectiveness of government. Through world-class research, policy analysis and public events, the Institute plays a significant role in shaping debate on the future of public administration.
Having previously placed a successful Facilities professional within the organisation, Maxwell Stephens was approached once again to recruit a Building & Facilities Manager on an initial six-month contract, with the intention of securing a permanent appointment.
Our existing relationship with the organisation, combined with our specialist knowledge of Facilities Management recruitment, enabled us to quickly identify candidates with the rare combination of technical expertise, stakeholder management skills and heritage building experience required for this unique position.
The Challenge
The successful candidate would assume responsibility for the day-to-day operational management of the Institute's prestigious Grade II listed headquarters, ensuring the building, engineering services and facilities infrastructure operated safely, efficiently and to the highest professional standards.
This was a highly visible role requiring ownership of planned preventative maintenance programmes, statutory compliance, contractor management and budget control, whilst preserving the integrity of a historic building.
The position also demanded exceptional organisational and communication skills. Working closely with the Institute's Events and Communications teams, the Facilities Manager needed to ensure every conference, media event and high-profile speaker engagement was delivered seamlessly, maintaining an outstanding environment for visitors, government officials and industry leaders.
The Search
Finding the right individual required far more than technical Facilities Management expertise.
We targeted professionals with proven experience managing complex commercial buildings, ideally within listed or heritage environments, alongside demonstrable knowledge of:
• Planned and reactive building maintenance
• Health & Safety and statutory compliance
• Fire safety and security systems
• Contractor and supplier management
• Budget ownership and cost control
• Event support within high-profile corporate environments
• Energy management and operational efficiency
Equally important was the ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders, balancing operational excellence with first-class customer service.
The Outcome
Leveraging our specialist Facilities Management network, Maxwell Stephens identified and introduced a shortlist of highly qualified professionals within a short timeframe.
The successful candidate possessed the technical capability, commercial awareness and stakeholder management experience required to oversee one of London's most prestigious heritage office environments.
The appointment proved highly successful, further strengthening our long-standing relationship with the Institute for Government and demonstrating our ability to deliver specialist Facilities Management professionals for complex and business-critical appointments.
Candidate Testimonial
"The team at Maxwell Stephens were very impressive. After the initial interview with several of the team, they arranged a number of interviews within a week that matched my skills perfectly. I am now settled into my ideal role, and they negotiated an excellent package on my behalf. I would certainly recommend Maxwell Stephens to any Facilities Management professional looking to further their career."
Fiona Ingram
Facilities Manager, Institute for Government