Facilities manager
Facilities managers oversee the operation, maintenance and security of buildings and workplaces.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a facilities manager, you could:
- work with a property team to see that building services run smoothly
- co-ordinate refurbishments, renovations and office moves
- make sure repairs and maintenance meet health and safety standards
- plan for sustainability and energy efficiency
- negotiate with contractors for services like cleaning, IT support and security
- manage spending and budgets
- keep tenant partners up to date with news and planned developments
Working environment
You could work in an office, at a sports arena or at a conference centre.
Career path and progression
With experience and further training, you may be able to become a senior facilities manager or head of estates. You might also move into regional management, with responsibility for a number of properties throughout an area.
You could work in-house for an organisation, for example the NHS or a university, or you might be employed by a commercial company that specialises in offering facilities management services.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- business management skills
- leadership skills
- customer service skills
- administration skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- maths skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
You could take a foundation degree or degree in a subject like:
- facilities management
- building services management
- business and management
- building surveying
Employers will often accept other subjects for entry onto graduate training schemes, or for study towards professional industry qualifications.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a property management company, for example:
- Facilities Management Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Facilities Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Senior and Head of Facilities Management Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
These can take between 2 and 4 years to complete and combine workplace training with off-site study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
You may be able to start as a management assistant or apprentice in facilities services and work your way up through training and promotion.
Your employer may encourage you to work towards professional qualifications like those offered by the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management.
You could apply for jobs directly if you've got relevant experience. This includes technical skills related to buildings and management.
Qualifications in building services engineering, surveying or health and safety may give you an advantage.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Further information
You can find out more about becoming a facilities manager from the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.