Preparing for the Summer Surge in Facilities Management: What You Need to Know

As we head into Q2, the facilities management sector is gearing up for one of its busiest times of the year. From large-scale fit-out projects to seasonal maintenance and increased workforce demands, the summer period can bring both opportunity and operational strain. We understand the pulse of the industry, and we’re here to ensure you're ready to tackle what’s coming, with confidence.

In this edition, we’ll explore how to prepare your teams, align hiring with upcoming projects, and manage the seasonal peaks with strategic foresight.

Leadership Lens: Strategic Agility in Times of Change

With warmer months ahead (hopefully), FM leaders must embrace strategic agility - the ability to shift resources and priorities quickly in response to new demands. One modern theory making waves in facilities leadership is situational alignment, which suggests aligning leadership styles not only to teams, but to specific seasonal or project-driven scenarios.

In practical terms, this means a planned, agile approach to managing contractors, maintaining client service levels, and boosting internal communication during high-activity periods like summer. The most effective leaders pre-plan talent needs, anticipate downtime risks, and double down on retention strategies as the workload intensifies.

Q2 Priorities: Seasonal Hiring, Projects and Maintenance

1. Seasonal Hiring Surge

Summer brings an uptick in temporary contracts and project-based roles, especially across public venues, education sites, and hospitality. Data shows a 27% increase in FM job postings between May and July in the past two years.

• Tip for Candidates: Now is the time to update your CVs and get in touch with specialist recruiters. Temporary summer roles often lead to longer-term opportunities, especially in corporate environments.

• Tip for Hiring Managers: Engage early with recruitment partners. The best contractors get snapped up quickly - plan interviews and onboarding before the seasonal scramble begins.

2. Maintenance Backlogs and Compliance Checks

Warmer weather allows teams to tackle outdoor and roof-level maintenance, HVAC upgrades, and overdue inspections. However, with higher demand comes more pressure on scheduling and compliance.

Consider staggering work over Q2 to avoid bottlenecks. Also, it's a good time to audit systems before the warmer periods place added pressure on cooling systems and occupancy limits.

3. Fit-Out Projects and Office Reconfigurations

Post-Easter into early summer often marks a spike in office renovations and reconfigurations. As hybrid work evolves, companies are investing in breakout spaces, improved ventilation, and sustainability upgrades.

⚒️ These projects require detailed coordination between FM, HR, and IT departments - especially when occupancy levels fluctuate during summer holidays.

Closing Thoughts

It’s no secret that facilities management is a sector driven by schedules, compliance, and client SLAs - but underneath all that, it’s powered by people. And yet, many organisations still underestimate how seasonal pressures impact their talent pipelines.

In Q2, we often see a flurry of last-minute hiring needs. This reactive approach leads to increased costs, rushed onboarding, and higher turnover. The key? Planning ahead, and viewing seasonal hiring as a strategic necessity, not just a quick fix.

Retention also becomes critical. Contractors and temps need more than just a role, they need to feel included, supported, and communicated with. I’ve seen clients who invest in 1:1 onboarding and mid-contract check-ins achieve far better project outcomes and contractor loyalty. It’s not rocket science, it’s about connection.

I also encourage employers to think about talent re-use. Keep records of past summer hires who performed well and re-engage them. Not only does this save time, but it also boosts productivity because they’re already familiar with your environment.

Let's Get You Summer-Ready

Whether you’re ramping up hiring, planning large-scale maintenance, or prepping your sites for a busy summer, 300North is here to support your success. Let’s talk about how we can help you build flexible, high-performing teams who are ready to deliver, whatever the season throws your way.

• marketing@300nr.co.uk

• 0113 336 5161