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Facilities Job Description

Written by: Evie Courtier
Published on: 16 Jan 2024

Office

Those in Facilities jobs play a pivotal role in creating safe, functional, and efficient work environments. Within this Facilities Job Description, SecsintheCity will provide an overview of what a job role in facilities entails, how much you can earn working in the facilities sector, and what a career path in facilities management may look like.

  • What is a Facilities Manager?

    As a brief overview, a Facilities Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the physical state, assets and infrastructure of a company. A role which focuses on maintaining and optimising the efficiency of buildings and equipment; working in facilities will see you providing services to create a safe and productive work environment.

  • What Does a Facilities Manager Do?

    As a Facilities Manager, you will maintain a proactive work environment, making sure that the physical aspects of an organisation hold up its overall objectives. The specific duties of your role will vary depending on the size and type of the organisation you work for, the sector you specialise in, from Legal to Property, and the seniority of your position. Nonetheless, as an overview, the key responsibilities of a Facilities Manager may include:

    • Ensuring that buildings and facilities are well-maintained, safe, and compliant with relevant regulations with building maintenance - this includes managing repairs, renovations, and upgrades.
    • Efficiently organising and utilising available space within a facility to meet your organisation's needs - this may involve planning layouts, relocations, and expansions.
    • Implementing and monitoring safety protocols to ensure a secure working environment. Health and safety will range from emergency response planning and risk assessments, to compliance with health and safety regulations.
    • Overseeing utilities such as electricity, water, and heating/cooling systems to optimise efficiency and reduce costs. Implementing energy-saving initiatives is often part of this responsibility, demonstrating you as an enterprising Facilities Manager.
    • Directing security measures to protect the facility, its occupants, and assets, involving coordinating with security personnel, implementing access control systems, and developing security policies.
    • Developing and managing budgets for facility-related expenses, covering cost forecasting, vendor negotiations, and finding new methods to minimise operational costs.
    • Vendor and contract management - collaborating with external vendors and service providers for facility-related services. Duties involve negotiating contracts, monitoring performance, and ensuring compliance with agreements.
    • Demonstrating knowledge and desire to implement environmentally friendly and sustainable practices within the facility. Think waste reduction, energy efficiency measures, and green building certifications.
    • Incorporating and managing technology solutions that enhance facility operations, such as building management systems, security systems, and other smart technologies.
    • Advancing and implementing plans for various emergency scenarios, including natural disasters, fires, and other crises, including training staff on emergency procedures.

  • How to Become a Facilities Manager:

    The route to working as a Facilities Manager requires a combination of education, and a range of hard and soft skills depending on your employer and desired industry.

    Educational Background:

    • If you’re looking at a specific ‘Facilities Manager’ role, you may be required to possess a bachelor's degree in facilities management, business administration, engineering, or a related field.
    • Some professionals may also choose to enter the field with degrees in architecture, construction management, or other relevant disciplines.

    Obtain Relevant Experience:

    • Like any other role, it’s necessary to start at the bottom. Discover entry-level positions in facility management, property management, or related fields to get you started.
    • Consider internships or part-time positions to gain practical knowledge in areas such as building maintenance, project management, and health and safety.

    Develop Key Skills:

    • To thrive in a facilities role, you must cultivate skills in project management, budgeting, and organisational management, alongside soft skills from communication and interpersonal skills to aid collaboration with stakeholders.
    • You will also have to hone technical skills related to building systems, utilities, and facility technologies are valuable.

    Pursue Professional Certifications:

    • Consider obtaining certifications relevant to facility management, such as a designation offered by the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM).

    Build a Network:

    • Attend industry conferences, seminars, and networking events to connect with professionals in the field.
    • Join professional organisations such as the IWFM to access resources, mentorship, and job opportunities.

    Continued Education:

    • Stay updated on industry trends, regulations, and emerging technologies through continuous learning.
    • Pursue advanced degrees or additional certifications to enhance your expertise and marketability.

    Apply for Facilities Management Positions:

    • Tailor Your CV: customise your CV to highlight relevant facilities management skills and experiences.
    • Apply for the latest Facilities jobs on SecsintheCity.

    Upload your CV to the SecsintheCity Database and Sign up for Job Alerts:

    • Sign up for personalised job alerts, to receive the latest relevant Facilities jobs directly to your email inbox, placing you in a dominant position to apply first to the role.
    • Equally, uploading your CV to our database, allows you to get headhunted by specialist business support recruiters, top companies and firms, and reputable employers for entry level facilities management opportunities that may not be advertised online.
    • For further advice, see our ‘How to Set up a Job Alert – Optimise your Job Search with SecsintheCity’ guide. Equally - enjoy a FREE CV review with TopCV to help get your CV up to scratch.

    Prepare for Interviews:

    • Research the company: understand the organisation and its products/services. Demonstrate your interest in the job and why you think you’re a good fit for the company. Further research beyond the company’s website is crucial. Evaluate press releases, shareholder reports, social media and company reviews.
    • Role-specific knowledge: be prepared to discuss your understanding of the role, type of facilities management required, and how your skills align with the requirements.

    Stay Adaptable:

    • Given the evolving nature of the field, stay adaptable and open to learning new technologies and management strategies.

  • Facilities Career Path

    A career path in facilities management follows a linear state of increasing levels of responsibility and complexity, to obtain roles of progression.

    Entry-Level Positions:

    • As a starting point, you may enter the field as a Facilities Coordinator. This will see you assisting in day-to-day operations, scheduling maintenance, and supporting various facility functions.
    • Alternatively, you may work as an Administrative Assistant or Assistant Facilities Manager. This role will see you providing administrative support to facilities management, handling basic tasks, and potentially overseeing specific projects.

    Mid-Level Positions:

    • Following a promotion, you will enter the phase of working as a Facilities Manager, overseeing the overall operations of a facility, and taking responsibility for budgeting and overseeing staff.
    • Regional Facilities Manager: you may also take on broader responsibilities, as a regional manager overseeing multiple facilities within a region or across different locations.

    Senior-Level Positions:

    • The next stage is ‘Director of Facilities’: providing strategic direction for facilities management across an organisation, overseeing multiple locations and teams.
    • Vice President of Facilities: holding a leadership role at the executive level, responsible for setting overall corporate facilities strategy and policies.

    Specialised Roles:

    If you wish to specialise in a certain industry or element of the role, you may find yourself within a more niche position, including:

    • Sustainability Manager: focusing on implementing environmentally friendly practices and ensuring facilities meet sustainability goals.
    • Health and Safety Manager: focusing on creating and implementing health and safety policies to maintain a secure work environment.
    • Project Manager: managing specific projects within facilities, such as renovations, expansions, or technology implementations.

  • How Much Does a Professional in Facilities Earn?

    As stated within our annual salary survey, those working in Facilities demonstrated the highest upswing in pay in 2023, with an 18% annual increase, averaging £39,643 per year. Since 2018, Facilities professionals have received the second highest annual increase, with a 5% year-on-year average.