Background
Recently, we successfully placed a Soft Facilities Manager at the University of Cambridge’s renowned Department of Physics.
This was a unique opportunity to work within the esteemed Cavendish Laboratory, a department with a distinguished history of groundbreaking scientific contributions, including 32 Nobel Prize winners. The department is on the cusp of a new era, with the upcoming move to the Ray Dolby Centre, a state-of-the-art facility designed to support world-leading research and innovative outreach programmes.
The Role/Challenge
The Soft Facilities Manager position required a highly skilled professional to oversee and enhance the delivery of soft facilities services across the department. The appointed individual would play a pivotal role in supporting the department’s teaching, research, and extensive programme of events, all while upholding the Cavendish Laboratory’s exemplary standards.
This multifaceted role involved:
• Managing reception, concierge, and event organisation services, alongside operational areas such as offices, laboratories, and workshops.
• Overseeing key contracts for cleaning, catering, and security to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Driving sustainability initiatives in waste management and energy usage while fostering continuous improvement within the department.
• Collaborating with the Departmental Health & Safety Manager to ensure compliance with health, safety, and fire regulations.
• Advising on facilities-related aspects of new builds and refurbishments, including the planning of major events.
The role also required a strategic thinker with strong leadership capabilities, responsible for drafting business continuity plans, managing budgets, and developing service level agreements.
The University sought a candidate who not only had extensive experience in facilities management but also possessed the skills to manage a complex and evolving estate. The Soft Facilities Manager would need to align with the department’s ambitious vision while ensuring day-to-day operations ran smoothly and efficiently.
Additionally, the new manager would be a key player in preparing for the transition to the Ray Dolby Centre, ensuring that all services met the exacting standards of a world-class research facility.
Our Approach
We began by gaining a comprehensive understanding of the role’s requirements and the department’s unique culture. This enabled us to identify candidates who could thrive in an academic environment while managing a diverse portfolio of responsibilities.
Through our targeted search and recruitment process, we engaged with professionals who had a proven track record in soft facilities management, particularly in high-profile or complex environments. Emphasis was placed on finding candidates with:
• Strong leadership and strategic planning capabilities.
• Experience managing soft facilities in laboratory, research, or educational settings.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work closely with various stakeholders, from health and safety officers to event organisers.
The Outcome
After a rigorous selection process, we successfully appointed an experienced Soft Facilities Manager who met the department’s high expectations.
The chosen candidate brought extensive expertise in facilities management and demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. They are now contributing to the department’s operations and preparing for the exciting transition to the Ray Dolby Centre, ensuring that the department continues to lead the way in physics research and education.
Quote from our successful candidate:
"Hi Peter, words can not express my utmost gratitude for helping me land this role. I could not be happier!!!"