Background
Oxera Consulting, a prominent economic and financial consultancy, has experienced rapid growth over the past three years, expanding its office network across five new European countries. With this expansion managed internally, the company faced a new challenge as their current Facilities Manager prepared for maternity leave in early 2020. Recognising the opportunity to infuse fresh skills into their team, Oxera sought a seasoned professional who could not only manage their existing facilities but also lead further office development and enhance the strategic capabilities of their current staff.
Our team were tasked with finding a candidate who could step into this pivotal role, guiding the consolidation of Oxera's office base while managing the dynamic needs of a growing international organisation.
The Role
Reporting directly to Deborah Stump, Partner & Director of HR at Oxera, the Head of Property & Facilities would oversee two direct reports covering facilities, property, and consultancy support functions. A critical aspect of the role was the development of these managers, equipping them with strategic skills to enhance their effectiveness.
The responsibilities of the role were extensive, covering all facets of facilities management across Oxera’s European offices. This included:
• Strategic Facilities Development: Advising on best practices and innovations to create an optimal working environment across multiple countries.
• Vendor Management: Overseeing contracts and service providers for security, parking, cleaning, catering, and technology.
• Team Supervision: Managing staff teams responsible for cleaning, maintenance, PA, front-of-house, and administrative duties.
• Budget Management: Ensuring cost-effectiveness and efficiency across all locations while seeking continuous improvement in the supply chain.
• Space Allocation: Managing the allocation and management of space, ensuring it meets the needs of the workforce and complies with safety and environmental standards.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Leading efforts to increase energy efficiency and develop policies around larger environmental issues.
• Project Management: Overseeing building projects, renovations, and office relocations, with a strong focus on planning, execution, and stakeholder reporting.
The Outcome
We successfully placed an exceptional candidate who met Oxera's demanding criteria. The new Head of Property & Facilities joined the team in January 2020, bringing with them a wealth of experience in managing international office networks and a strategic approach to facilities management.
Under their leadership, Oxera's facilities operations saw significant improvements, particularly in the development of a more cohesive and efficient office environment across Europe. The candidate's ability to mentor and develop their team members also ensured that Oxera's internal capabilities were strengthened, setting the company up for continued success in their expansion efforts.
This placement not only filled a critical role during a time of growth for Oxera but also demonstrated our ability to understand complex client needs and deliver top-tier talent in the competitive field of facilities management.