Who is facility manager

Some of the qualities needed for expert facilities management include:. There are a number of different qualifications that can be applied to a facilities management role. Examples include:. Although not always required, many employers prefer applicants with a professional facilities management certification, such as the competency-based Certified Facility Manager CFM credential from the International Facility Management Association.

Relevant experience in technical skills and management is also essential. Employees can also acquire a facilities management position by working their way up in a company with in-house training, additional certification, or an apprenticeship. Many larger companies choose to employ a dedicated internal facilities manager.

In smaller companies, however, a member or members of the staff are often allocated facility management duties beyond their usual scope of work.

This can be disruptive to their core responsibilities, and also means that the management and maintenance of the facility may not be as effective as possible. Outsourcing facility maintenance is a recommended option for companies without internal facilities maintenance expertise as it can prove both more effective and more cost-efficient.

An outsourced provider can take on some of the responsibilities of a facility manager or perform the entire facilities maintenance function, helping you focus on your core business.

Very well written software. Easy to use. The guys who support this software even email you to check in from time to time. If you have any issues you can call directly, and get instant help! Facility management FM is a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality, comfort, safety and efficiency of the built environment by integrating people, place, process and technology. View the ISO's definition of facility management. Facility managers FMs can have many different titles and arrive in their profession through a variety of career paths.

They are important because they make sure the places in which people work, play, learn and live are safe, comfortable, productive and sustainable. The FM industry is growing at a rapid pace and the roles of FMs are broadening to encompass more responsibilities and skill sets.

FM budgets and teams are becoming larger and more impactful as the built environment becomes more integral to the ways modern society conducts business, entertainment and lifestyles. Here are a few social trends that are deeply rooted in and affected by facility management:. As facility management evolves, so are its methods to support future generations with the skills and expertise to continue moving the industry forward. Here are some of the initiatives underway to guarantee the future of FM:.

If you manage to get on one of these schemes, you may have the opportunity to specialise in a particular field, such as security or retail.

Competition is keen and most firms ask for a minimum degree, while some may also require an IWFM qualification. Pre-entry experience is desirable and a placement year in industry from a relevant degree can be particularly useful for gaining skills and building a network of contacts.

Experience can be particularly useful in areas such as:. Having some previous experience in the hospitality sector is also valuable, as you'll need strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a range of people. Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Facilities managers are found in virtually every kind of business in the public, private and non-profit sectors. The diversity of the work is reflected in the range of job titles. For example, you could be known as an operations manager, estates manager, technical services manager or an asset or property manager. Larger organisations are more likely to require a facilities manager with a strategic overview of a range of functions and supporting services.

Specialist recruitment agencies, such as Michael Page and Macdonald and Company , handle vacancies. Most organisations provide on-the-job training and you can supplement this by taking professional qualifications. For example, the IWFM offers a full suite of professional qualifications in facilities management levels 2 to 7 ranging from operational and support level through to senior management.

The IWFM also has a number of special interest groups SIGs and regional groups who help support facilities managers through networking and career development. Masters degrees are an increasingly popular qualification for the sector. You're expected to undertake continuing professional development CPD , usually made up of external short courses and in-house training.

Common areas of training include health and safety, legislation and regulation, as well as practical and business skills training. To do so you must successfully complete the Assessment of Professional Competence APC , which is a structured training programme lasting two years. It's likely you'll start your career in an assistant manager role, focused on one operation such as cleaning, catering or maintenance. Find out more about getting into facilities management as a graduate.

However, you can work your way up into a facilities management career, too: many move into the role after previously working in office administration or engineering, either at their current employer or a different one.

Find out more about apprenticeships on targetcareers. Careers advice. Job descriptions. Facilities manager: job description Facilities managers are responsible for the security, maintenance and services of work facilities to ensure that they meet the needs of the organisation and its employees. Typical employers Qualifications and training Key skills Facilities managers essentially look after all of the services that helps a business or other organisation do its work.

Responsibilities can include: overseeing and agreeing contracts and providers for services including security, parking, cleaning, catering, technology and so on supervising multi-disciplinary teams of staff including cleaning, maintenance, grounds and security ensuring that basic facilities, such as water and heating, are well-maintained managing budgets and ensuring cost-effectiveness allocating and managing space between buildings ensuring that facilities meet government regulations and environmental, health and security standards advising businesses on increasing energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness overseeing building projects, renovations or refurbishments helping businesses to relocate to new offices and to make decisions about leasing drafting reports and making written recommendations.

Typical employers of facilities managers Facilities managers may work in-house — that is directly for the organisation for which they are managing services — or for a company that provides those services to individual businesses. Typical employers include: specialist facilities management companies property firms and property management companies construction companies large public and private sector organisations, including schools, colleges, universities and the NHS.

Qualifications and training required There are routes into a career in facilities management for both university graduates and school leavers.