Strategic Leadership in Action: Elevating Real Estate and Facilities Management for a Global Financial Institution

Client Overview

A prominent financial institution approached us to assist in recruiting a Head of Projects and Facilities Management Division (PMFD). The role was critical in shaping the Bank’s real estate strategy, space allocation, and facilities management policies, directly influencing the institution's operational efficiency. Given the importance of the position, we were entrusted with finding a senior leader who could align with the Bank's vision.

The Role

Reporting to the Director of Administrative Services, the Head of PMFD was tasked with leading the development and execution of the Bank’s long-term space allocation and facilities management strategies. The successful candidate would oversee a broad spectrum of responsibilities, including:

• Shaping and implementing the Bank's Space Allocation and Facilities Management strategies.

• Leading efforts to improve office space utilisation and facilities management.

• Managing engineering projects, maintenance programmes, and corporate support services.

• Directing procurement and contractual agreements for the division.

• Developing audio-visual and video conferencing solutions for global offices to enhance operational efficiency.

• Managing budgets for space allocation, project management, and maintenance.

This position required not only expertise in facilities management but also the ability to influence and lead change at the institutional level. The ideal candidate needed strong leadership skills to guide a diverse team of professionals and navigate complex technical and commercial challenges.

We leveraged our extensive network of senior facilities management professionals, utilising an in-depth selection process to identify candidates with the required experience in space allocation strategies, engineering projects, and change management. The role demanded expertise in both facilities and real estate management, along with the ability to work across culturally diverse and multinational environments.

Through a rigorous selection process, we focused on candidates with a proven track record in managing large-scale facilities projects and implementing long-term real estate strategies. Our team conducted detailed interviews, assessed qualifications, and ensured the candidates aligned with the Bank's expectations.

The Outcome

We successfully placed a highly qualified individual with significant experience in leading facilities management and space allocation strategies within multinational institutions. The candidate demonstrated exceptional skills in formulating and executing long-term strategies, influencing senior management, and driving operational efficiency.

The client was impressed with the speed and quality of our recruitment process, which resulted in the placement of an ideal candidate who is now integral to the Bank’s real estate strategy.