Background
Founded over 180 years ago, The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional medical body responsible for supporting psychiatrists throughout their careers, from training through to retirement, and for setting and raising standards of psychiatry in the United Kingdom.
The College engaged Maxwell Stephens to fill the role of Head of Facilities. The position called for a capable leader with expertise in operational facilities management, and in particular experience of events management and of working within membership organisations.
The Challenge
The Head of Facilities in a membership body is rarely a pure buildings role. The premises serve staff, members and visitors; events are a regular part of the calendar and depend on the facilities function to run properly; and the person leading that function is visible to a wide and often senior audience. The College therefore needed a candidate with the right operational grounding who could also lead a team, manage contracts and represent the function credibly across the organisation.
The search also had to weigh cultural fit as heavily as technical capability. The brief was for someone who not only possessed the requisite skills and experience but aligned closely with the values and culture of The Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Our Approach
Drawing on our network across the facilities management sector, Maxwell Stephens ran a targeted search structured around four stages:
- Candidate screening. We screened potential candidates against their qualifications, experience and likely cultural fit with the College before anyone was put forward.
- Customised shortlisting. Working from the detailed person specification provided by the client, we tailored the shortlisting process to the specific requirements of the role rather than applying a generic Head of Facilities template.
- Behavioural assessment. We conducted in-depth behavioural assessments to gauge each candidate's interpersonal skills, leadership capability and ability to perform well in a demanding, fast-moving environment.
- Interview preparation. Shortlisted candidates received thorough preparation, including insight into the client's expectations and the key responsibilities of the role, and guidance on presenting their relevant experience and achievements.
The Outcome
After a rigorous selection process, we placed a candidate who exceeded the client's expectations. The new Head of Facilities brought substantial experience in operational facilities management, events management and leadership, and used it to strengthen the College's facilities management function considerably. Improvements enacted across the FM function included:
- Premises and facilities management. Managing all College premises and facilities, ensuring operational efficiency and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Sustainability. Leading initiatives to improve sustainability practices in line with the College's sustainability strategy and Net Zero objectives.
- Health and safety. Implementing robust health and safety measures, including risk assessments and compliance monitoring, to maintain a safe and secure environment for College staff and members.
- Contract management. Streamlining contract management processes and improving procurement and service delivery while keeping cost-effectiveness in view.
- Leadership. Strong leadership and team management, building a culture of high standards and good customer service within the team.
The client's feedback on working with Maxwell Stephens:
"Peter and the team at Maxwell Stephens are incredibly personable to work. They have always taken the time to get to the core of the client's requirements, and using their vast knowledge of the Facilities industry, they manage to help the right people be hired into the right role. Would I choose to work the Maxwell Stephens / Peter again? Absolutely, yes!"
Why This Placement Worked
Head of Facilities appointments in membership organisations go wrong when the search is run on operational credentials alone. The technical requirements are real, but so is the need to run events well, to work comfortably with members and senior stakeholders, and to lead a team in an environment where the facilities function is on show. Screening for culture and behaviour from the start, and shortlisting against the client's own person specification rather than a generic template, meant the College saw candidates who fitted the organisation as well as the job description.
If you are recruiting a senior facilities leader for a membership body, professional institution or events-led organisation, Maxwell Stephens can help you define the brief and reach the right candidates. Get in touch with our team.