Background
The United Reformed Church (URC) is one of the UK's largest Christian denominations, supporting approximately 56,000 members across more than 1,500 churches spanning the length of the country, from Orkney to Cornwall.
Its national administrative headquarters, Church House in central London, serves as the operational centre for the organisation, accommodating around 60 employees while also providing meeting and conference facilities used regularly by church committees, trustees and visitors.
Following an unsuccessful in-house recruitment campaign, the United Reformed Church appointed Maxwell Stephens exclusively to recruit a Facilities Manager capable of overseeing the operation, maintenance and continual improvement of this important headquarters.
The Challenge
As the organisation's sole Facilities Management professional, this was a broad and highly autonomous role requiring responsibility for every aspect of the building's operational performance.
The successful candidate would oversee the day-to-day management of Church House while ensuring the premises remained safe, compliant, welcoming and financially efficient.
Key responsibilities included:
- Managing all building maintenance and Facilities Management services.
- Ensuring compliance with Health & Safety and statutory legislation.
- Managing planned and reactive maintenance programmes.
- Coordinating third-party contractors and service providers.
- Managing relationships with commercial and residential tenants.
- Supporting committee meetings and event space operations.
- Overseeing building appearance and workplace standards.
- Managing facilities budgets and operational expenditure.
- Identifying opportunities to generate additional commercial income through space utilisation.
- Recommending and delivering building improvements.
- Ensuring an exceptional experience for staff, visitors and building users.
The appointment required someone equally comfortable operating strategically and practically, capable of managing a wide-ranging operational remit as a standalone Facilities Manager.
Our Approach
Working closely with the senior leadership team at the United Reformed Church, we developed a comprehensive understanding of the organisation's operational requirements, culture and long-term objectives.
Our executive search focused on experienced Facilities professionals who had successfully managed diverse commercial or charitable buildings with responsibility for compliance, contractor management, customer service and operational leadership.
We prioritised candidates with experience in:
- Standalone Facilities Management roles.
- Commercial property and building operations.
- Health & Safety management.
- Contractor procurement and supplier management.
- Budget management and financial control.
- Hospitality and meeting room operations.
- Building compliance and statutory regulations.
- Stakeholder engagement across varied user groups.
Professional qualifications such as IWFM, IOSH, NEBOSH, or equivalent Facilities Management credentials were considered highly desirable.
Alongside technical expertise, we sought candidates with excellent communication skills, commercial awareness, sound judgement and the confidence to work independently while building trusted relationships across the organisation.
The Outcome
Following a comprehensive executive search and assessment process, Maxwell Stephens successfully identified and appointed an outstanding Facilities Manager.
The successful candidate brought the broad operational expertise required to lead every aspect of Church House's Facilities Management function while providing strategic oversight of maintenance, compliance and workplace services.
Since joining the organisation, they have successfully:
- Strengthened operational management across Church House.
- Improved contractor performance and supplier management.
- Enhanced Health & Safety compliance and governance.
- Delivered high standards of customer service for staff, tenants and visitors.
- Supported commercial opportunities through effective space utilisation.
- Maintained a safe, welcoming and efficient working environment.
The appointment enabled the United Reformed Church to secure an experienced Facilities professional capable of supporting both the day-to-day operation and long-term stewardship of its national headquarters.
Trusted Recruitment for Charities, Membership Organisations & Heritage Buildings
Recruiting Facilities leaders for charitable organisations requires more than technical expertise—it demands professionalism, integrity, commercial awareness and a genuine commitment to service.
Through our specialist Facilities Management executive search expertise, Maxwell Stephens successfully delivered a high-quality appointment that continues to support the operational excellence of the United Reformed Church.
Client Testimonial
"I would like to thank Maxwell Stephens for the hard work and professionalism shown throughout this recruitment campaign. The entire process was efficient, well managed and resulted in an excellent shortlist of high-quality candidates."