What Does A Facility Manager Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Alyssa OmandacCareer, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Facility Managers

Facility Managers make sure that the buildings they are in charge of have the repairs and maintenance they need. They also keep the records of all of the payments and all of the work that is done on the buildings. They make sure that the commercial building runs smoothly all of the time.

Salary
$65200
Education
Bachelor's degree
Personality


Facility Managers oversee the maintenance of commercial properties and make sure that everything is repaired, clean, and taken care of as necessary. They are in charge of hiring staff, supervising staff, and scheduling contractors, and they also make sure that the commercial facility stays within the budget. They are also called service managers or contract managers, and they are in charge of making sure that the facility runs smoothly at all times.

What they do

Facility Managers make sure that the buildings they are in charge of have the repairs and maintenance they need. They also keep the records of all of the payments and all of the work that is done on the buildings. They make sure that the commercial building runs smoothly all of the time.

Oversee Maintenance, Repairs, and Cleaning of Building

The primary responsibility of the Facility Manager is to make sure that the buildings they are in charge of are maintained, have up to date repairs, and are cleaned at all times. If there is a problem with the roof, the plumbing, the electricity, or anything else in the building, the Facility Manager is in charge of making sure that it is taken care of quickly. If anyone notices a problem, they will report it to the Facility Manager.

Maintain Records of All Payments

The Facility Manager also keeps records of all of the payments made for maintaining the building. There will be a budget for any commercial facility, and the Facility Manager has to keep track of the expenses and stay within the budget. It is important that the Facility Manager is able to make sure that the building stays up and running without running over budget.

Hire and Manage Third Parties and Contractors

The Facility Manager is also in charge of hiring any third-party companies and contractors who work on the facility. This includes anyone who comes in to do repairs, renovations, as well as anyone who does regular work, such as landscapers and cleaning services. The Facility Manager will hire people and negotiate the price for the work, and then they will make the payments once the work is done satisfactorily.

Inspect the Facility to Make Sure That Everything Is up to Code

Another task of the Facility Manager is to make sure that everything is up to code. The building has to meet the local codes, including the health code and the safety codes. They need to inspect all of the different parts of the facility to make sure that the roof is in good shape, the electricity is safe and working, and more. They need to perform regular inspections to make sure that everything is up to code and safe.

What is the job like

Pros

You get to keep a facility running smoothly

It can be very rewarding to be in charge of a commercial building if you do your job well.

You get to choose who you hire to work in the facility

This is great because you can make sure that you work with people who do a great job. It is easier to manage these people when you can choose who you hire.

You get to meet a lot of people

As the person in charge of the building or facility, you get to meet and interact with a lot of different people. You are the person they turn to when something needs to be done.

You are in charge of the facility

Although you work for whoever owns the facility, you are in charge of making sure that it runs well. You have a lot of independence to do what you think is right as long as it comes within the budget.

Cons

It can be stressful

When things go wrong, it can be very stressful. People will be upset if there is a problem with the air conditioning, the electricity, or other things that people depend on.

You are on call all of the time

You are nearly always on the clock because if something goes wrong, you will be called on to fix it. Emergencies can happen at any time, and you need to be prepared to respond to them.

Where they work

Commercial buildings
Apartment complex
Sports stadium
Office buildings


Facility Managers work in commercial buildings. They can manage housing complexes, commercial facilities, stadiums, office buildings, and other similar structures. Some Facility Managers work for a company and oversee different buildings, and others work for one facility exclusively. They may have lower level managers under them whom they supervise, depending on what kind of facility they manage.

How to become one

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Most of the time, people who want to become a Facilities Manager start by earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Engineering. As this career becomes more specialized, employers are looking for people to have more specialized degrees. This education will help you learn what you need to know to identify issues and take care of them.

Step 2: Apply for a Job

Once you graduate from college, you will be able to apply for a job. You can consider what type of facility you want to manage, and apply for a job at those places. You might start out working under a Facility Manager to gain some experience, and this can give you valuable experience that sets you up to become a Facility Manager and run an entire facility on your own.

Step 3: Get Certified

There are different certifications that you can get in Facility Management. If you want to be more specialized, you can choose a specialty and obtain a certification. This paves the way for you to get a higher paying job. You can continue your education while you are working, which will help you stay on top of the latest trends in this career.

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Leader

People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Facility Managers are problem-solvers by nature, and they are able to look at a situation and make a decision. They have great communication skills, and they have excellent listening and communication skills. They have an eye for detail, and they enjoy working hard and doing their job thoroughly. They are also reliable and trustworthy because they are in charge of a large facility most of the time.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

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