Overview
Exemplas Group, a prominent organisation supporting businesses and public sector clients, sought a skilled Facilities Manager to oversee facilities across its sites, particularly at BioPark. With a strong focus on providing high-quality facilities services within a science-driven environment, Exemplas needed a candidate with a unique blend of technical knowledge, experience in facilities management, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships.
The Challenge
The role required a Facilities Manager who could seamlessly integrate into the BioPark environment, manage a variety of services, and work closely with both internal and external stakeholders, including the University of Hertfordshire's Facilities Management team. The ideal candidate needed to possess:
• Experience in a Science Environment: A background in managing facilities within a scientific or technical setting was crucial.
• Contract Negotiation Skills: The ability to negotiate and manage various commercial contracts, from maintenance to recycling, was essential.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong communication and relationship management skills were needed to liaise effectively with tenants, contractors, and internal teams.
• Budget Management: The role required someone who could manage and control facilities budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness and financial responsibility.
Additionally, the candidate needed to manage on-site reception staff and be available for emergency contacts outside of standard working hours.
Key Steps:
• Targeted Search: Focusing on candidates with experience in facilities management within scientific or highly technical environments.
• Thorough Screening: Assessing candidates not only on their technical skills and experience but also on their ability to manage stakeholder relationships and handle the unique challenges of the BioPark setting.
• Client Collaboration: Working closely with Exemplas to refine the job specifications and ensure alignment between candidate skills and role expectations.
Outcome
We successfully placed a highly qualified Facilities Manager who met all of Exemplas’ criteria. The selected candidate brought valuable experience in managing facilities within a scientific environment and demonstrated strong contract negotiation and budget management skills. Their ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders and manage on-site staff made them an ideal fit for the role.