Background
We recently achieved a successful placement of an Assistant Facilities Manager at Bupa, demonstrating our expertise in matching top-tier facilities management professionals with prestigious roles. Bupa, a leading international healthcare group, required a highly skilled Assistant Facilities Manager to support the strategic management of their Facilities Management functions within their Property UK department.
The Challenges
The role of Assistant Facilities Manager at Bupa was critical for maintaining optimum accommodation, environmental, and support service standards within corporate FM guidelines and budgetary constraints. The successful candidate needed to support the Facilities Manager in leading the FM team and act as an interface between FM services and the business. Given the strategic importance of the role, it was essential to find a candidate with robust managerial skills, extensive FM experience, and the ability to work under pressure in a demanding environment.
Key Responsibilities
• Policy Implementation: Assist the Facilities Manager in preparing, implementing, and monitoring FM policies and procedures.
• Contract Management: Oversee FM contracts and audit key performance indicators to ensure contract standards are met.
• Maintenance Strategies: Develop strategies for the maintenance of built and installed assets.
• Service Delivery: Manage soft FM services and develop strategies to meet stakeholder needs.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor and audit service providers’ quality management and performance systems.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate productive working relationships among key stakeholders.
• Front of House Supervision: Provide supervision and act as the point of contact for the Front of House team.
• Change Management: Support the implementation of changes to contracted services to improve quality and reflect best practices.
• Partnership Approach: Foster a cooperative relationship with service providers and pursue opportunities for mutual benefit.
• Project Sponsorship: Manage FM-related projects, including relocation and refurbishment, and liaise with relevant stakeholders.
• Budget Management: Contribute to the preparation and review of annual budgets for premises revenue and capital costs.
• Compliance Tracking: Ensure all statutory compliance tasks are completed and certified on time.
• Health & Safety: Act as a deputy for the Facilities Manager in environmental and health & safety matters.
Required Skills and Experience
• Facilities Management Experience: Proven capability in a first-level management role within FM.
• Professional Qualifications: Full membership of the BIFM and a health & safety qualification (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH).
• Strategic FM Skills: Experience in developing and implementing FM strategies aligned with business needs.
• Contract Negotiation: Experience in negotiating and procuring FM service contracts based on best practice principles.
• Project Management: Knowledge of space planning, office moves, and managing FM-related projects.
• Performance Measurement: Understanding of performance measurement techniques and managing such systems.
• Customer Relationship Management: Experience in managing customer relationships and service level agreements.
• Property Strategy Development: Understanding of landlord-tenant relationships and property strategy development.
• Technical Knowledge: Experience in managing hard and soft FM services and understanding FM market standards and legislation.
• Budget Management: Experience in supporting FM capital and revenue budgets.
• Health & Safety Management: Knowledge of health & safety legislation and experience in managing health & safety at work.
The Results
Our meticulous selection process led to the identification of an exceptional candidate who met Bupa’s stringent criteria. The chosen individual demonstrated:
• Extensive FM Experience: Robust experience in facilities management and team leadership.
• Exceptional Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work collaboratively and manage relationships with high-profile stakeholders.
• Proven Cost Control: Demonstrated ability to control costs and implement efficient working practices.
• Strong Contract Management: Effective in managing vendor relationships and negotiating service contracts.
• Health & Safety Expertise: In-depth knowledge of health & safety regulations and experience in ensuring compliance.
The successful placement of the Assistant Facilities Manager at Bupa has ensured that their facilities management functions are strategically managed, maintaining high standards of service delivery and supporting Bupa’s commitment to excellence. This placement underscores our commitment to excellence in facilities management recruitment and our ability to match top-tier professionals with roles that require exceptional skill and dedication.