Background
Ashmore Group plc, a leading global specialist investment manager, approached us to recruit a highly capable Office Manager for their prestigious London headquarters. This critical role required a dynamic individual to oversee office operations, facilities management, budget control, health and safety compliance, and to lead an administration team. The position demanded a professional who could maintain the highest operational standards while ensuring cost-effectiveness and adherence to the company’s commercial priorities.
The Challenge
Ashmore’s requirements for this role were specific and multifaceted. The Office Manager needed to have:
• Proven experience in facilities management, including supplier and budget management.
• A strong understanding of health and safety practices, with a proactive approach to compliance.
• Excellent organisational skills, capable of managing multiple competing priorities.
• The ability to lead a team, while liaising effectively with senior management, external suppliers, and building stakeholders.
• A focus on efficiency, confidentiality, and high standards of service delivery, including handling ad hoc projects and overseas office coordination.
The successful candidate would need to demonstrate exceptional communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills to align with Ashmore’s high-performance culture.
Our Approach
We leveraged our extensive network of facilities management professionals and recruitment expertise to find the ideal match for Ashmore Group plc. Our process included:
1. Detailed Role Analysis – We worked closely with Ashmore’s leadership team to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role and the competencies required.
2. Candidate Search – Using our database and targeted outreach, we identified candidates with relevant experience in facilities management, health and safety, and team leadership.
3. Rigorous Screening – We evaluated candidates on their technical expertise, leadership abilities, and cultural fit with Ashmore.
4. Shortlisting – A curated shortlist of the most qualified professionals was presented to Ashmore for interviews.
5. Supportive Onboarding – Once the successful candidate was chosen, we facilitated a seamless onboarding process to ensure they could integrate quickly into the team.
The Outcome
We successfully placed a highly skilled Office Manager who exceeded Ashmore’s expectations. The selected candidate brought:
• A wealth of experience in facilities management and administrative leadership.
• Proven expertise in health and safety compliance and policy development.
• Strong organisational and communication skills, enabling them to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• The ability to lead and motivate a team while driving operational excellence.
Since joining, the new Office Manager has implemented significant improvements, including streamlining office processes, optimising supplier contracts, and enhancing health and safety protocols. Their proactive approach to budget management and service delivery has further supported Ashmore’s commitment to operational efficiency and excellence.