Huge amount of money are spent in erecting different kinds of structures and installing assets and equipment. These buildings, assets and equipment need to be in top shapes. Regular and timely maintenance of these facilities will keep them functional for the remainder of their life cycles. Facility managers are charged with the responsibilities of maintenance and management of these facilities.

The primary responsibility of a facility manager is to first ensure the safety of people after which comes the properties. Facility managers are the professionals that ensure the safe and operations of all facilities in our built environment. They have passion for people, their safety and their productivity.

Definition of facility management

Facility management is an “organizational function which integrates people, place and process within the built environment with the purpose of improving the quality of life of people and the productivity of the core business.” This definition is given by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Read also: What is facility management?

Getting started as a facility manager

Facility managers are the custodians of the built environment. Highly skilled and experienced facility managers are in demand.

Starting and excelling in your career as a facility manager, an individual needs knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the FM industry. You can gain experience through internship and apprenticeship as an entry into the profession or through a formal education (first degree in FM, second degree in FM, or through a professional training in facility management).

Competencies of a facility manager

The roles of facility managers have tremendously evolved over the years. To excel as a facility manger, one needs both technical skills and business skills. These skills include the following:

• Strategic planning.
• Leadership.
• Communication.
• Operations and maintenance.
• Finance and accounting.
• Procurement.
• Sustainability.
• Project management.
• Real estate.
• Asset management.
• Work management.
• Environmental health and safety.
• Utility management.
• Security.
• Emergency management.
• Contract management.
• Facility management technology.

Read also: ProFM Body of Knowledge

Read also: IFMA competency areas

Job responsibilities of facility managers

The jobs responsibilities of facility managers vary widely from one organization to another organization. All works that facility managers do is to ensure people are safe, healthy and productive. Facility managers keep the integrity of buildings and ensures installed facilities are safe to use and operational at all times and function at optimal levels.

Read also: The roles of the modern facilities manager

What a facility manager oversee

Any organization that has a building needs a facility manager. As a facility manager, you might be responsible for part or the entire facilities of an organization. What a facility manager oversee in the workplace might be hard services or soft services or a combination of both which include:

• Building envelope.
• Interior finishes.
• Janitorial services.
• Roadways.
• Vertical transportation system.
• Electrical systems.
• Plumbing systems.
• Fire safety systems.
• Waste management.
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

A new challenge everyday

Like every other careers, being a facility manager comes with its own challenges. There are challenges that you need to prepare your mind for that you will often encounter in the FM profession.

A facility manager’s job can be a stressful one as no two days are the same in the life of a facility manager. You should be able to handle all of its demands and associated challenges.

A facility manager should know that:

• Everybody wants something.
• Thing break at worst times. Equipment will breakdown at some point even when you have your maintenance planned.
• There is a 24-hour on call nature associated with FM.
• There is unpredictable daily challenges.
• Regular movement within the facility is involved.

Essential qualities of a facility manager

Facility managers require some essential qualities to be a able to perform excellently well in the field of FM.

Facility managers:

• Are exceptional leaders.
• Are good listeners.
• Are very organized.
• Pay attention to detail
• Are excellent communicators.
• Can make sound decisions quickly.
• Have great interpersonal skills.
• Can adapt to unexpected circumstances.
• Are good time managers.
• Empathize with facilities users.

Facility managers should also be current with the latest trends and technology in the industry, and should know when to deployed a maintenance program for each piece of equipment being use.

Get certified

Being certified will validate a facility manager’s knowledge, skills and competencies. It is always a good idea to be certified both locally and globally.