If you visit a building, have you thought about who takes responsibility for its security? Who should check the building regularly to ensure its safety? These are parts of the facilities manager jobs which are sometimes overlooked by the majority. In reality, many individuals aren’t aware of such a profession despite the fact that high buildings are common in cities.
Not only buildings but facilities can also refer to public spaces, such as parks and sports amenities. Hospitals, warehouses, and restaurants are the other “workplaces” in which facilities manager jobs are conducted. Stick around until the last sentence of the article if you wish to dive deeper into the topic because the role plays a big role for the public.
What is a facility manager?
A facility manager is someone who takes care of a structure or a facility so that it will be safe and secure to use for all. This position has diverse tasks which depend on the type of premise. A large city park leads to facilities manager jobs that are quite complex, from checking parking lots to changing the plants regularly.
Of course, a facility manager will not do those responsibilities on his own. He will hire others and then monitor their work. This profession deals with a lot of parties, but the end goal is to bring the place alive through activities that involve all users of the area.
Responsibilities of a facilities manager
Facilities manager jobs are detailed, from keeping the establishment safe to recording all activities within the spaces. As mentioned, the duties also involve various parties, such as the employees, the users of the place, and the contractors. The daily routines of facilities managers can vary depending on the task urgency on that day.
For example, today, it will mostly note all activities as monthly reports. The next day, the manager will welcome visits from potential clients, like tenants. Other times, the jobs related to facility inspection, especially after earthquake warnings. For the details of the tasks, please check the below points:
Preserving the facilities
One of the facilities manager jobs is to check all elements of the structure. Take a building as an example. The evaluation process must look at all rooms regularly to ensure all functions well. If troubles occur, the manager will contact the contractors to get the solution right away. When the building seems fine, planning for regular checking is still needed.
Protecting the facilities
Among the facilities manager jobs is protecting the spaces so that the employees, the clients, and the visitors feel safe. To run the task well, you can set up CCTV in some parts of a room or an area. The manager can also place security staff for sensitive spots, such as the parking lot, entrance, and receptionist area.
Working with vendors
A facility or building can’t provide everything on its own. It hires external vendors or contractors for many tasks, such as toilet cleaning up and Internet networks. When one of these roles faces troubles, it’s the manager who will contact the involved party to fix them. Good communication skills are a must for those who wish to fill the role.
Overseeing the staff
One of the facilities manager jobs is supervising the employees so that they follow all the rules and perform their tasks efficiently. As a supervisor, you assess their work results, give feedback for improvements, and reprimand them over their faults. The employees range from security guards to sales marketing who promote the building.
Noting all maintenance events
Facilities or buildings have different schedules for maintenance activities. One of the facilities manager jobs is recording them all, including those that occur irregularly. Regular maintenance activities include monthly security tools all over an office. Instant ones may take place after the manager gets complaints from clients regarding the facility’s tools.
Marketing the offices
Sometimes, one of the facilities manager jobs is promoting and marketing the place. And, of course, the targeted ones differ from one structure to the other. For offices, the targets are business owners, while for public gardens, the targets are the citizens. The manager and the sales marketing team will work to create events to attract potential customers.
Managing the budget
Money handling is one of the facilities manager jobs that shows how the role is such a multitasking one. Here, the manager must use the budget for many purposes, such as salary payments to new AC purchases in the case of an office. To fit into the overall budget, the manager must know about the changes in the tool prices or salaries if some staff get promotions.
Qualifications to become facilities manager
You must at least hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, business management or hospitality management to apply for the job. A master’s degree in MBA can add value to your CV when you start applying for the role. If you are already in the position, the title can shorten your promotion.
As hinted above, the facilities manager jobs demand several soft skills. You must learn about leadership because you will handle some or even a lot of team members. Problems may arise at any time; hence, you need to hone your problem-solving competency. Once the errors emerge, you have to quickly find the answer before it creates bigger negative outcomes.
Lastly, certifications for the role will add more points to launch your career to propel what’s already yours. Certified Facility Manager (CFM) is one of the popular licenses in the field. You can also obtain other licenses which focus on sustainability and project management to prove your competencies and add knowledge.
Salaries of facilities manager in the UK
Perhaps you have been wondering about the salaries due to the vast facilities manager jobs. The payments depend on the years of experience. For entry-level ones or graduates, the salaries range between around £27,000 and £45,000. Experienced ones may bring home higher figures, starting from £38,000 to £65,000 per year.
For senior managers, the earnings can exceed £60,000 every year. The number is much higher for those at the director level, who can earn up to £100,000 annually. Besides the years of experience, the salaries depend on the work sites. In big cities, such as London, the average salary for a facilities manager is about £45,000 annually.
Similar figures may also apply to the managers working in the West Midlands. This area is known as another elite spot across the UK. The income factor is usually more than enough to lure more people to try their luck in the position. Just bear in mind that the roles are quite stiff; hence, keep learning regardless of your current level.
Add more insights into facilities manager jobs with CCM
The facilities manager jobs are dynamic, which require you to keep up with the changes in the rules about the facilities themselves. Another aspect is studying interpersonal abilities because you will have to deal with parties across levels and business lines. In addition to this, competency in optimising budgets can fluctuate according to currency rates or price trends.
Those are all covered! The experts at the College of Contract Management consider all of those before designing the lessons related to the topic. Once you join them, you can study and consult about everything about facilities manager jobs, thus keeping you away from frustration. Call them now and kick off your career in better shape!
