Facilities Management: A Career Guide to Become a Facilities Manager

There is a wide range of jobs and services that facilities management covers. Firstly, there is variation in the positions of FM. So people can apply for them with low educational requirements. Secondly, some roles oversee and coordinate activity. For this role, you need a college degree. Furthermore, FM certifications or have previous experience in the field is also important. The following are the major types of facilities management:

Cleaning 

Groundskeeping and cleaning is a daily necessity of all kinds of facilities. For schools, hospitals, offices, these roles are essential to keep care of the property. They also help to preserve the property’s value. Besides, maintaining clean surroundings and proper plumbing contribute to a healthy environment.

Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS)

This profession includes the design and upkeep of environmentally friendly, sustainable workplaces. They also promote a safe and healthy work environment. So, professionals in this field must keep up to date with changing workplace laws. Hence, their duty is to ensure that their facility complies with the EHS law. Most importantly, organisations need EHS professionals for avoiding lawsuits, insurance claims, public scandals.

Hardware Inspection & Maintenance

Workplaces need a stable inspector who works to check technical or electric issues. FM ensure fixing the lights to regular maintenance check-ups on elevators. The employee of this discipline does all the routine checks of the thing used in the office space.

Moreover, they ensure that immediate repair is done to damaged objects. Besides, they contact and bargain with service providers to do specific technical work. The employee also regulates and works on increasing each equipment’s lifeline. They also have to know how to reduce costs related to technical issues. Significantly, the people working for this maintenance needs to know FM planning software.

Space Management and Migration

Workplaces transform from time to time. Whether it is the increase of space or staff numbers due to busy seasons or shifting to a new workspace. Without careful planning, this would all be a costly disaster for business. Those in this field can make staffing and space changes run smoothly. The manager also adheres to regulations and plans for all uncertainties. Most importantly, the position has a high value to an organisation.

Transportation and Security Services

In extensive facilities or businesses, they need vehicles for movement. The facilities manager plans and makes transportation solutions too. They also hire drivers and arrange transports according to the needs of the company. To ensure that they plan, track, schedule and execute necessary steps. As a result, the company transportation is done smoothly and efficiently.

Moreover, security services also fall under FM in many establishments. The professionals in this area:

Fire Safety

FM also has to see fire safety; the worker must plan prevention and checking things that may cause a fire. The fire safety team contains and puts out if any fire incident occurs. They also plan and ensure safe emergency fire exits for people to move. It significantly includes proper and strategic planning of escape routes. Additionally, they look after the instalment of equipment to use during a fire, just like providing working smoke detectors and looking for adequate fire extinguishers. 

Operational

The operational manager ensures there is organisation and coordination in the workplace. They also look if everything is working smoothly. Firstly, they are in charge of booking the conference room and checking if everything is in its place. Second, they maintain a support desk that is also present to receive and queue. 

Subsequently, they address problems with various necessary office requirements. The operational team handles software that needs IT  assistance. In addition, they take over mechanical issues such as jammed copy machines. They also help to coordinate and provide all this support promptly. As a result, they guarantee not only a healthy workforce but also boosts morale.

Business Continuity

Essentially, one of the disciplines of FM is preparing for disaster management. The facility manager ensures that there is minimal loss and avoids the loss of hours. A business’s performance can be seriously harmed by:

Therefore, managing these issues requires a professional FM team. They also ally with other units to develop strategies. Then they implement and educate employees according to the plan.

Who are the Employers?

Companies are hiring facilities managers, and there is a huge need for them at the current time. All sorts of business sector public, private and non-profit needs facilities managers. This is because workplace health and hospitality is becoming an important aspect.

Employers who are likely to hire facilities managers include:

What does the Facilities Manager Do?

Facilities managers have many kinds of titles. You can be addressed as an:

The main task of a facilities manager is taking care of the commercial buildings. Your duty will be to maintain all the valuable assets, and equipment, inventory that is important for the business to grow. Below you can see the day-to-day task of a facility manager:

Evolving Aspects of Facilities Management

The FM industry is growing rapidly, and the role of a facility manager is evolving with it.  Therefore, you want to build a successful career as a facility manager. But you will also need to know about the current social trend and make yourself compatible with them. Given that, here are some evolving aspects of facilities management: