Client Overview
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is one of the world’s leading professional engineering bodies, supporting innovation, knowledge sharing, and professional development across the engineering and technology sectors. Operating from a portfolio of prestigious UK locations, including the iconic IET London: Savoy Place, the organisation required a Building Services Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership across its facilities estate.
The Challenge
The IET sought an experienced Building Services Manager to oversee mechanical and electrical services, facilities operations, and compliance across multiple high-profile sites.
The successful candidate would be responsible for ensuring that the organisation’s buildings remained safe, efficient, and fully operational while supporting conferences, events, members, visitors, and employees.
Key responsibilities included:
- Managing hard and soft facilities services across multiple UK locations
- Leading the operation and maintenance of critical M&E infrastructure
- Developing and implementing a long-term building services strategy
- Managing operational and capital expenditure budgets
- Overseeing contractor performance and service delivery
- Leading tendering and procurement exercises
- Ensuring compliance with health & safety and statutory regulations
- Managing refurbishment and infrastructure improvement projects
- Supporting listed and heritage building requirements
- Driving operational efficiency and service excellence across the estate
The role required a highly capable professional with strong technical expertise, commercial awareness, and the ability to manage complex facilities operations across a diverse property portfolio.
Our Approach
Understanding the Requirement
We worked closely with the IET to gain a detailed understanding of the organisation’s estate, operational priorities, and long-term facilities objectives.
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying candidates with:
- Senior-level building services and facilities management experience
- Strong electrical and mechanical engineering knowledge
- Multi-site operational leadership capability
- Contract and supplier management expertise
- Experience managing significant budgets
- Strong understanding of compliance and health & safety legislation
- Proven project and refurbishment management experience
- The ability to operate effectively within high-profile environments
Targeted Search Strategy
Using our specialist facilities management and building services network, we conducted a focused search for professionals with extensive experience managing complex estates and critical building infrastructure.
We prioritised candidates who demonstrated:
- Strong technical competence
- Strategic planning capability
- Commercial and financial management skills
- Experience delivering operational improvements
- Excellent stakeholder and contractor management abilities
Candidate Assessment
Each shortlisted candidate underwent a rigorous evaluation process designed to assess technical knowledge, leadership experience, project delivery capability, and cultural fit.
The Outcome
We successfully appointed a highly experienced Building Services Manager with a strong background in engineering, facilities management, contract management, and operational leadership.
The successful candidate quickly established themselves within the organisation, taking responsibility for the performance, compliance, and long-term development of building services across the IET estate.
Results Delivered
Strategic Facilities Leadership
The appointed manager developed a clear long-term strategy for building services and facilities operations, ensuring infrastructure investment aligned with organisational objectives.
Improved Operational Performance
Through effective management of M&E systems and contractor performance, operational reliability and service delivery standards were enhanced across all locations.
Strong Budgetary Control
The successful candidate effectively managed operational and capital expenditure budgets, ensuring value for money while maintaining high service standards.
Enhanced Compliance and Safety
Robust governance and compliance processes strengthened health & safety performance and ensured adherence to statutory obligations across the estate.
Successful Project Delivery
The manager successfully led refurbishment projects, infrastructure upgrades, and procurement exercises, helping modernise facilities while minimising disruption to operations.
Contractor and Supplier Optimisation
Through improved contract management and supplier oversight, service quality increased while operational efficiencies were achieved.
The Impact
The appointment has strengthened facilities and building services management across the IET’s UK portfolio, providing both strategic direction and operational excellence.
Key benefits delivered include:
- Improved reliability of critical building systems
- Enhanced compliance and health & safety performance
- Stronger contractor and supplier management
- Effective control of operational and capital budgets
- Successful delivery of refurbishment and infrastructure projects
- Greater consistency of facilities services across multiple locations
This successful placement demonstrates Maxwell Stephens’ expertise in recruiting senior building services and facilities management professionals capable of leading complex estates, managing critical infrastructure, and delivering long-term operational value.