Case Study:
The Royal Household
Background
The Royal Households refers to the collective departments which support the members of the British Royal Family. The households of the British Royal Family are some of the most iconic and prestigious estates in the entire world.
Maxwell Stephens were approached by the Privy Purse and Treasurer’s Office of the Royal Household (Property Section) to support in the recruitment of a Senior Operations Engineer and Operations Engineer. These roles were to be based at perhaps the most well known of all the royal residences, Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
The Positions
Senior Operations Engineer – Based at the Windsor Estate
The overall purpose of this position is to lead the team of Operations Engineers, M&E Supervisors and the in-house team, being responsible for the operational activities of the Windsor Property Section, including planned maintenance, specialist term contracts, statutory compliance, reactive maintenance and preparations for functions. To have responsibility for service delivery, project and programme management and maintaining stakeholder relationships across specified areas of the Windsor Estate.
Operations Engineer – Based at Buckingham Palace
The size, complexity and prestige of the Royal Household meant this was an expansive role with a wide remit. Responsibilities for the role range from managing a tender process, to planning a schedule of works, in addition to other engineering and building services projects. With a mixture of planned and reactive maintenance, the post holder is required to negotiate with, and meet the needs of multiple stakeholders. The delivery of these daily challenges will be vital to the continued running of the Royal Household’s historic buildings.
In addition to maintenance and conservation is only half the story, the post holder takes take a long-term view, planning for the future, modernising their systems and finding new ways to achieve great efficiencies. Considering the setting ensuring the highest standards are achieved is paramount to these positions.
The Candidates
Senior Operations Engineer
This role required a candidate educated to a Masters Level in Engineering or Equivalent and have extensive experience working within historic/listed buildings, and on occupied multi-site estates. Demonstrable experience in statutory compliance, risk management and contract management were also essential for the role.
As part of their skillset, the ideal candidate needed project management abilities, strong commerical acumen and budget management skills. The personality fit for this role was also of great importance, requiring someone with a diplomatic and collaborative approach; a logical problem solver with good judgement, and a genuine passion for customer-driven service delivery.
Operations Engineer
This role required a candidate to be qualified in a relevant discipline with broad mechanical and engineering experience, and a proven ability to deliver a varied portfolio of work.
The post holder is required to lead projects with a consideration for statutory compliance and risk management whilst also having an awareness for cost control and contract management.
With a naturally collaborative approach to their work, the post holder needs the skills and personality to build positive relationships quickly with colleagues and external stakeholders alike.