Background
INTO University Partnerships (INTO) is an innovative organisation dedicated to expanding higher education opportunities globally through partnerships with leading universities. Since its inception in 2006, INTO has formed 21 partnerships with 19 universities across Europe, North America, and Asia, enrolling over 50,000 students from 166 countries. INTO employs around 1,600 staff worldwide, all committed to transforming the lives of their students and colleagues through education.
Each INTO Centre delivers tailored educational programmes in partnership with universities, enabling international students to transition seamlessly into undergraduate and postgraduate study. This commitment to academic excellence is reflected in INTO's mission to ensure success and transformative experiences for both students and staff.
The Challenge
Our task was to recruit three pivotal facilities management roles for INTO’s UK operations:
1. Senior Facilities Manager – A high-level leadership role responsible for overseeing facilities and site operations at INTO’s London and Brighton properties. The position required extensive experience in estates and facilities management, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to manage significant budgets while ensuring compliance with safeguarding and health and safety standards.
2. Facilities Manager (Exeter) – Reporting to the Centre Director, this role involved managing the day-to-day operations of the INTO Academic Building and INTO Halls of Residence at the University of Exeter. Key responsibilities included facilities management, catering services, health and safety compliance, and leading a team in a 24/7 student environment.
3. Interim Facilities Manager (Newcastle) – An interim role focused on maintaining the INTO Academic Building and residential properties at Newcastle University. The role required immediate impact, ensuring seamless building maintenance, housekeeping, IT, and security while working collaboratively with the student services team.
The key challenges in recruiting for these roles included identifying candidates who possessed:
• Extensive senior leadership experience in estates and facilities management.
• Strategic planning and project management skills, particularly for academic and residential environments.
• A deep understanding of safeguarding, compliance, and health and safety regulations.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A commitment to enhancing the student experience in a premium education environment.
The Results
We successfully filled all three roles with highly skilled professionals who met the unique demands of each position:
1. For the Senior Facilities Manager, we placed a candidate with proven leadership, operational expertise, and a strong strategic vision. The individual immediately integrated into the team, enhancing facilities management and supporting INTO’s mission to deliver superior educational experiences.
2. The Facilities Manager (Exeter) role was filled by a professional with exceptional expertise in facilities and catering management. They effectively led the facilities team, ensuring the academic building and residences were maintained to the highest standards, contributing to a positive and safe student experience.
3. For the Interim Facilities Manager (Newcastle), we identified an experienced candidate who delivered immediate results. They demonstrated a proactive approach to managing compliance, maintenance, and student welfare, ensuring operational excellence during their tenure.