If you’re thinking about a career in facilities management, you might be wondering what this role entails. Facilities management requires a wide range of skills and proficiencies in order to be successful. But this is precisely what makes the role so interesting. There are so many different areas under your control that no two days will ever be the same. This is one of the many reasons that facilities management is such a popular career path.
This blog will explore the roles and responsibilities of a facilities manager so that you can decide if this career path is right for you. We’ll also look at career progression and what you can expect while working as a facilities manager.
Facility management is the most important part of any company. It is the backbone of any company. They are responsible for ensuring that company buildings are fit for purpose, safe and functional. They are responsible for everything from security to the IT infrastructure. It is a fast-paced and varied role that allows individuals to gain a range of skills and work with many different individuals throughout the business.
The responsibilities of a facilities manager will always depend on the sector they are working in and the facility they need to manage. For example, a facilities manager working in construction will have a very different role to that of one working in an office building. In general, a facilities manager is responsible for coordinating teams and contractors to facilitate the smooth running of a work environment. This role required incredible attention to detail and the ability to make quick decisions.
These are just some of the responsibilities you can expect while working as a facilities manager:
Depending on the sector you are working in, there may be other responsibilities not listed here.
When exploring this career path, you might be wondering if you have what it takes to become a facilities manager. These are just some of the qualities that you will need in order to be successful in this role. Hiring managers are likely to want to see evidence of these skills and strengths on your CV and throughout the hiring process.
The average salary for a facilities manager in the UK is £36,593, which is above the UK average salary of £25,971. A graduate facilities manager or assistant just starting out can expect to earn around £20,000 to £27,000. An experienced facilities manager can expect to earn around £30,000 to £45,000. And the most senior facilities managers can earn in excess of £60,000. Those progressing to the level of operations director can expect to earn around £85,000.
Facilities managers enjoy very good working conditions and many will also be able to take advantage of additional benefits such as pension schemes, private healthcare and bonus schemes. It is also common for facilities managers to be offered a company vehicle or a vehicle allowance. When required to travel for work, all expenses should be covered by the company.
The majority of the time, facilities managers can expect to work reasonable hours of around 40 hours per week. These are often within the typical working hours of 9 am to 6 pm. On occasion, you may need to be on-call and available to deal with emergencies, such as out-of-hours security issues.
There is also the chance that ongoing projects could require additional attention as they near completion. For example, if there is a construction project taking place, you might be required to work longer hours to oversee this work.
In general, the working hours for a facilities manager are very sociable and you may even be able to take advantage of flexible working to set your own hours. Working from home may also be an option in some cases, although this may be rarer as facilities managers are often needed on-site.
There are three main routes to becoming a facilities manager.
Studying for a degree is one of the most popular options as it will allow you to enter the industry as a fully-qualified professional after just three years of study.
Gaining work experience in the sector is a great way to decide if this is the right career path for you. It will also help individuals to develop a realistic expectation of what to expect, while also providing plenty of talking points for interviews.
Working your way up to the level of facilities manager by taking a role as an assistant or administrator may also be possible, provided you have relevant work experience from another sector. In this instance, hiring managers would also want to understand your motivation for working in the sector.
Once you are a qualified facilities manager, there is also the option to become a certified facilities manager (CFM). This will allow you to demonstrate your expertise and skill in this area and could open up job opportunities around the world.
To obtain certified status, you would need to find an accredited course provider and may also need to become a member of a recognised trade body. Choosing the right course provider will ensure that your qualification is recognised by the right employers.
If you start at the bottom with no experience, you may begin your career as a facilities management assistant or similar. This will involve offering admin support to the facilities manager or management team.
If you study for a degree in facilities management, you will be ready to take on a role in
Once you have progressed to the role of the facilities manager, you can expect to be in charge of your own facility. In larger facilities, you might work as part of a facilities management team and be responsible for a specific sector.
The most common career progression after this is to become a senior facilities management or a director of operations. This could include overseeing multiple sites and teams of facilities managers or overseeing all of the operations for a single company. There are certainly plenty of routes for career progression once you are a qualified facilities manager.
