Facilities management is the process of managing the day-to-day operations of a building or property. It includes everything from maintaining the physical structure to ensuring that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations.
Facilities managers are responsible for several tasks, including:
- Ensuring that buildings are structurally sound and well maintained
- Maintaining building systems, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems
- Ensuring that buildings are compliant with all applicable laws and regulations
- Managing tenant relations
- Managing facility security
- Optimising energy usage and advising on sustainability
The role of the facilities manager is incredibly varied and challenging, which means that no two days are ever the same. If you can think on your feet and enjoy a problem-solving challenge, this could be an ideal career path for you.
What is the role of the facilities manager?
Facility managers are responsible for the upkeep of a company’s physical space. They are in charge of everything from the building’s structure to its landscaping.
Facility managers oversee all aspects of a company's physical space, including the building's structure and landscaping. They also manage any maintenance and repairs that need to be done on the property.
The facility manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of a company's physical space, including the building's structure and landscaping. They also manage any maintenance and repairs that need to be done on the property.
What skills do I need to be a facilities manager?
The skills needed to become a facilities manager vary depending on the type of facility you are managing. For example, if you are managing a manufacturing plant, you will need to know about industrial equipment and how to operate them. If you are managing an office building, you will need to know about office equipment and how to operate them.
Some broad skills will serve you well, no matter what sector you are working in. These include:
- Organisational skills. You will need to be able to keep track of your work and organise your time accordingly.
- Leadership. You might be managing a team of contractors, so you’ll need to be able to delegate and organise a team accordingly.
- Problem-solving. You might come across complex issues on a day to day basis and you will be the first port of call for resolving the issue. Being a natural problem solver will serve you well in this type of role.
- Self-starter. You need to take initiative and be able to create your work schedule for the day. As a facilities manager, people will rely on you to monitor different aspects of a building or structure and make sure everything is working as it should. As such, you’ll need to be able to identify what needs to be done and when.
- Communication. You might work alone a lot in this role, but you’ll also need to communicate with everyone from contractors to clients. Being able to communicate complex concepts is essential to be able to get your point across.
How can I become a facilities manager?
Becoming a facilities manager requires a combination of training and experience. Most people enter the industry with a degree in a relevant discipline. But higher education isn’t the only route into this sector.
The first step is to get a degree in facilities management or a related field. A degree in facilities management or a relevant discipline will usually take 3-4 years. After this, you will be able to apply for entry-level roles in facilities management.
You could also take the apprenticeship route into facilities management. This will allow you to study while you work and gain qualifications at the same time as on-the-job training.
You could also work your way into the sector by gaining on-the-job experience. You could start in an assistant role and establish yourself within the company. This would allow you to gain the skills and experience you need to be able to take on the facilities manager role.
How much do facilities managers earn?
The average salary for a facilities manager in the UK is £36,282. Salaries range from £30,000 to £45,000 depending on where in the UK you are based. Jobs in London will command higher salaries due to the London weighting.
