We recently completed a successful placement for a Hard Services Facilities Manager role at Liberty London, a British institution renowned for its luxury goods and its striking Tudor-style building. Founded in 1875, Liberty London has established itself as one of the UK’s most prestigious department stores, offering an eclectic mix of fashion, beauty, homeware, and gifts. The store is as much a destination for its architectural beauty as it is for its exceptional selection of designer brands.
As an iconic retailer, Liberty London demands top-tier facilities management to support its historic building and ensure smooth, high-quality operations across all its systems. The role of Hard Services Facilities Manager was crucial in maintaining the safety, compliance, and continued efficiency of the building’s mechanical and electrical infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
• Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM): Managed PPM programmes for essential building systems including mechanical, electrical, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fire detection, and suppression installations, as well as plumbing, glazing, and the iconic clock.
• Team Leadership: Led a team of six skilled engineers, driving high performance and continuous professional development.
• Third-Party Management: Liaised with external service providers, contractors, local authorities, and landlord representatives to ensure smooth operations and compliance.
• Technical Support: Offered expert technical support and occasionally led on minor projects, ensuring the ongoing enhancement of the estate’s facilities.
• Health and Safety: Maintained up-to-date risk assessments, ensuring full compliance with health and safety regulations, including ACOP requirements.
• Budget Management: Managed the maintenance budget, ensuring cost-effective procurement and resource management.
Skills & Qualifications
• Electrical Bias: A key requirement for the role, with candidates expected to have a strong background in building services, particularly electrical systems, due to the complexity of Liberty London’s infrastructure.
• IT Proficiency: Competence in Outlook, Excel, and Word was essential for maintaining accurate records and streamlined communication.
• Leadership & Communication: Strong leadership and communication skills, with experience in managing a team and collaborating with contractors and stakeholders.
• Problem Solving: A proactive approach to addressing challenges quickly and effectively to keep the estate running smoothly.
• Customer Focus: Liberty London’s commitment to an exceptional customer experience meant that the successful candidate needed to consistently deliver high-quality service to both internal and external customers.
Work Environment
The role required flexibility with working hours, including early, late, and occasional weekend or bank holiday shifts. Additionally, the candidate was on call to ensure that urgent maintenance issues were swiftly addressed, guaranteeing the smooth operation of Liberty London’s services at all times.
Outcome
The successful candidate brought a wealth of experience in hard services management, particularly in the retail sector. Their strong technical background and leadership skills ensured that Liberty London’s facilities were not only maintained to the highest standards but also continuously improved to meet evolving needs. They successfully managed the estate’s critical systems, ensuring operational excellence while meeting health and safety standards. The placement contributed to Liberty London's ongoing success as a leading department store by ensuring its iconic building ran smoothly and efficiently.