A facilities manager is a big role for many young professionals. People in this profession are required to manage membership, keep the facility staffed and cleaned, and promote a positive and safe working environment. It’s a very behind-the-scenes, yet customer service oriented position. In this article, we’ll uncover the details behind the facilities manager. We’ll explore facilities manager day-to-day duties, education, and qualifications and career advancement opportunities.
Facilities Manager Job Overview
Facilities managers are responsible for maintaining a positive work environment at their respective space. A working facility can include any physical place of employment. Common facilities with positions like this include: recreation centers, office buildings, inventory warehouses, restaurants, and gyms. The facilities manager will be responsible for maintenance, security, and the creation of an overall safe and positive working environment.
Job Duties of Facilities Manager
- Fix, repair, or schedule routine check-ups for facility equipment and real estate.
- Hire, train, evaluate, and supervise maintenance staff.
- Respond to customer or employee maintenance concerns.
- Engage in negotiations regarding outside repairs.
- Oversee and adjust maintenance budget.
- Ensure facility meets government health and safety standards, and adjust accordingly.
Job Essential Skills of Facilities Manager
These managers have a lot to balance in their day-to-day work. This requires a large and diversified skill set. Here are a few of the most valuable skills required by the facilities manager:
Job Skills
Interpersonal Communication Skills: Facilities managers are tasked with customer service duties quite often. In this role, it’s imperative that they can connect to, settle down, and manage an upset or panicked customer. This requires empathy and the ability to listen to the customer. Interpersonal communication skills are the backbone of this process.
Negotiation Skills: Sometimes, the facilities manager has to put out bids for certain projects. They must have the ability to negotiate and find the best deal possible. They need to complete the projects on time, so it’s important that they can negotiate accordingly.
Time Management & Prioritization Skills: Facilities managers often get pulled in a lot of directions simultaneously. A facilities manager may be knee-deep in a project or focused on a spreadsheet, when an emergency situation like a busted pipe or building fire requires them to redirect their attention. They must be able to prioritize their tasks and manage their time well in preparation for these instances.
Research Skills: A facilities manager must be able to research and analyze contracts. Often, they’ll be called upon to enlist the help of an outside company to complete an internal project. This requires shopping around for the best deal. They’ll also be tasked with researching a problem before making the call to an outside contractor.
Project Management Skills: Many tasks in the facilities manager job description call for project management experience. Facilities managers must often oversee large projects from start to finish. Along the way, they must manage the budget, staffing, and equipment required to complete the project, and must also follow a specified timeline. Therefore, project management skills are a must!
Becoming a Facilities Manager
Facilities managers don’t necessarily need to have a specific degree according to the facilities manager job description, but knowledge of subjects like engineering, hospitality, or management can be helpful. Here are some specifics regarding training, education, work environment, and career advancement opportunities in this highly respected field.
Training and Qualification
Most facilities manager positions require limited education or training. Many facilities managers have an Associate’s Degree, and some possess a Bachelor’s Degree in business or Administrative specialties. Most facilities managers have some sort of apprenticeship under their belt, doing actual maintenance or security work.
Work Experience
In order to get hired as a facilities manager, you don’t have to have previously worked in a similar position. This is good news for people who are just getting started with their career in facility management. However, as with all similar jobs, having a background in the actual field helps facilities managers transition more smoothly into a supervisory role.
Working Hours and Salary
Before you begin your career in facility management, you might want to make sure the working conditions and salary expectations align with your overall career and financial goals. Most facilities managers will have an office in the space that they manage. They are hired in both the private and public sector, so the type of office environment may vary depending on this factor.
Work hours in this role also vary in the facilities manager job description. Most facilities managers will work a forty hour week, but shifts may vary, and overnight or extended hours may be necessary at times. Additionally, encroaching project deadlines or facility emergencies may require weekend, night shift, or on-call work.
Pay in this position varies greatly. Many facilities managers get paid on an hourly basis, but some have fixed salaries. The average annual salary of a facilities manager lands around $21.53/hour and $71,370/ year.
Job Outlook and Advancement Opportunities
Most facilities managers who are hired on an hourly basis can expect to earn overtime pay, making their job a little more lucrative and rewarding.
Jobs in the facility management field are expected to grow an average of eight percent over the next ten years. These jobs are highly dependent on the economy and the facility’s ability to hire someone full-time for this position. However, this eight percent margin is higher than average.
There are also a ton of growth and career advancement opportunities in this field. Most people will begin as an assistant facilities manager. They can then move their way up the ladder to become the general manager. Many facilities managers progress even further to manage on a regional scale. Another option is to dive into consulting work. Regardless, anyone with operations experience is a highly valued asset and owns a very transitional skill set.
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Conclusion
Overall, facility management is a demanding, but rewarding field. Facilities mangers have the opportunity to supervise others, think critically, and interact with a lot of people on a day-to-day basis. The field pays relatively well, and requires minimal schooling or formal training, according to the facilities manager job description we’ve detailed in this article. Facility management is a great route for anyone with the organizational and people skills required to effectively carry out projects and maintain a facility.
FAQs
A Facilities Manager oversees the maintenance, services, and operations of buildings and facilities, ensuring they meet the needs of the organization and comply with regulations.
2. What qualifications are necessary for this role?
Typically, a bachelor’s degree in facilities management, engineering, or a related field is required, along with relevant experience in facility maintenance or management.
3. What skills are important for a Facilities Manager?
Key skills include strong organizational and leadership abilities, problem-solving skills, knowledge of building codes and regulations, and proficiency in facilities management software.
4. Is prior experience in facilities management needed?
Yes, experience in managing facilities, maintenance, or related fields is generally required to understand the complexities of the role.
5. What is the typical salary for a Facilities Manager?
Salaries can vary based on location, industry, and experience, but Facilities Managers usually receive a competitive wage reflective of their responsibilities.
6. What are the working hours for this position?
Facilities Managers typically work full-time, but hours can vary, including on-call duties for emergencies or maintenance issues.
7. Are there opportunities for career advancement?
With experience and additional qualifications, Facilities Managers can advance to senior management roles or specialize in areas like sustainability or project management.
8. What are the common challenges of Facilities Managers?
Challenges include managing budgets, ensuring compliance with safety and building codes, and adapting to changing organizational needs.
9. How important is knowledge of sustainability for this role?
Understanding sustainability practices is increasingly important to reduce operational costs and meet environmental standards.
10. How can one apply for a Facilities Manager position?
Job opportunities are on company websites, job boards, and industry-specific forums.
Excellent explanations about Facility Manager’s Job description.