Facilities Manager

What is the work like?

Facilities managers make sure that buildings and their services meet the needs of their occupants and users as efficiently, safely and cost effectively as possible.

You could work as a facilities manager in either the public or private sector, and could have another job title such as business services manager, support services manager or contracts manager. Your duties would vary widely depending on the job, but would typically include:

• making sure that the inside of the building is arranged to make the best use of space
• managing refurbishment, renovations and office moves
• managing general upkeep and maintenance
• making sure that the building meets health and safety standards and legal requirements
• advising on energy efficiency
• managing facilities such as cleaning, waste disposal, catering and parking
• managing budgets and keeping expenditure records
• negotiating the best deals with outside contractors and suppliers
• managing security
• making sure that IT systems such as computers, telephones, photocopiers and faxes, work effectively.

You could work for a facilities management company which is contracted to handle facilities management for a number of organisations. In small companies facilities management may be part of a general management role.

What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

You would need both technical skills related to property and relevant management skills, such as business strategy, budget and cost control, and people management. You could get these in one or more of the following ways:

• a foundation degree, BTEC HND or degree in facilities management – these are available at a limited number of universities
• other degree/HND subjects such as management and business studies
• relevant professional qualifications, such as chartered surveyor, accountant, hospitality professional
• experience in a relevant field, such as construction, building services, engineering, accountancy, hospitality or healthcare.

If you have strong administrative and organisational skills and experience, you may be able to work your way up to a facilities management position. For example, some people take on wider responsibilities after working in a management job in areas such as cleaning, catering or security.

You may not need formal facilities management qualifications, however you can do part-time or distance learning diplomas or Masters degrees after gaining a first degree or relevant experience. These may help you to progress in your career.

Some courses are recognised by the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM). Visit the BIFM website for details of accredited and non-accredited courses.

You are likely to find health and safety qualifications useful, such as those offered by NEBOSH and IOSH. These may be essential for some jobs.

What further training and development can I do?

Once you are employed as a facilities manager, you can work towards the nationally-recognised British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) Qualification. This assesses your knowledge and experience against competence standards. You have a choice of three routes:

• examination – seven modules in two parts, usually taken over two to four years, and completion of a portfolio of evidence from the workplace
• higher education – a BIFM-accredited higher education course such as a degree, and completion of a portfolio of evidence from at least two years' workplace experience
• professional competence – completion of a portfolio showing your experience and knowledge (you would need to have a large amount of experience for this route).

Visit the BIFM website for details.

BIFM short courses are available on all aspects of facilities management, and can be useful as evidence of knowledge if you are following the professional competence route. As a BIFM member you would be able to attend regional continuing professional development (CPD) events and annual conferences.

As a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), you can use the title Chartered Facilities Management Surveyor provided you meet the RICS criteria. Visit the RICS website for details.

Where can I go for more information?

Englemere
Kings Ride
Ascot
Berkshire
SL5 7TB
Tel: 01344 630700

2 The Courtyard
48 New North Road
Exeter
Devon
EX4 4EP
Helpline: 08000 567160

67 High St
Saffron Walden
Essex
CB10 1AA
Tel: 01799 508606

Surveyor Court
Westwood Way
Coventry
CV4 8JE
Tel: 0870 333 1600

If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form

Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice

Related profiles...

Hotel Manager

Catering/ Restaurant Manager

Building Services Engineer

Estates Officer

Housing Officer

Health Service Manager