Facilities manager

Facilities managers oversee the operation, maintenance and security of buildings and workplaces.

Also known as: Estates manager, support services manager, contracts manager

• Starter salary£26,000 a year
• Experienced£50,000 a year
• Typical hours38 to 42 a week

What you'll do

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.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

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 a facilities manager

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

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

Apprenticeship

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

Work

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 .

Direct application

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.

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.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Guides for this industry

• Administration: pay, interviews and getting started →

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