Facility Management Career Paths: A Complete Guide for 2022

Last Updated on April 18, 2023 by Admin

This article provides in-depth knowledge of Facilities Management’s various career paths, job titles, skills, core competencies, salary trends, and courses for a rewarding career in facilities management.

Facilities managers are responsible for selecting building sites, overseeing site development, designing, constructing, and remodeling buildings, managing property operations including sustainability initiatives, designing landscaping packages for buildings, and managing maintenance activities for built-up environments such as roads, and parking lots, and sidewalks.

What is facilities management?

Facilities management is a demanding field. It includes everything from leasing, budgeting, and maintaining property and equipment.

According to the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Facilities management is the “planning, organizing, directing and controlling people, machines, and materials to supply a service.”

The IFMA further defines facilities management as “a set of skills and knowledge used to manage buildings – from small offices to large factories – by considering the buildings’ structures, technical systems, physical security, and operations within an environment that encompasses social needs.”

Facilities management is a quickly growing field with many different career paths. It encompasses everything from architecture and engineering to finance, accounting, and marketing. Facilities managers are in charge of ensuring that the building and all its systems are running smoothly.

Facilities management is an important field that is often overlooked. Facilities managers ensure that organizations have a safe, clean, and healthy environment for employees to work in. They’re responsible for office buildings, factories, laboratories, and other facilities. The position requires experience in general management, human resources, engineering, accounting, and law enforcement.

Why is facilities management critical?

As per the report, The global facility management market was valued at USD 40.41 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach a market value of USD 81.49 billion by 2026, registering a CAGR of 12.51% over the forecast period 2021 – 2026.

Facilities management is more critical than ever before. As the population grows and becomes more urbanized, we need to ensure that we are taking care of our buildings. The work of facilities managers is never done as they are constantly looking for ways to improve the buildings they manage.

Facilities management careers are in high demand. Employers need facilities managers to oversee the upkeep and maintenance of their facilities. They are also responsible for organizing and scheduling repairs and controlling expenses.

Facilities Management Career paths

Is facility management a promising career? “Good” is a subjective term. Nevertheless, it’s easy to call facilities management a promising career based on the favorable tailwinds pushing it right now. It’s a career that’s up-and-coming and growing in importance.

The future is bright for facilities management. There are opportunities across all sectors and business types. The pay is above average and competitive across the spectrum.

There are many different fields within facilities management. Sometimes referred to as a “green career,” this field offers many opportunities to make a positive impact on the environment and people’s lives.

For example, someone in facilities management might work in a hospital or other healthcare facility, university, school district, corporate office building, airport terminal, or industrial manufacturing plant. Following are the various services that come under the facilities management.

Building Management

The building management discipline is typically one of the first areas to be established in a new facility. These professionals oversee all aspects of the facility, including front desk management, facilities maintenance, housekeeping, and foodservice.

A building manager is responsible for supervising the day-to-day operations of a building. They are also responsible for making sure that all necessary repairs are made and that the building complies with local, state, and federal regulations.

Hardware Inspection & Maintenance

Hardware inspection and maintenance is checking a machine or piece of equipment for signs of wear or failure. You will be responsible for inspecting and lubricating moving parts, replacing worn-out parts with new ones, and repairing broken parts by making them whole again.

EHS: Environment, Health, and Safety

Responsibility for the environment and health and safety (EHS) is the most ubiquitous of all the facility management fields.  Employees in this field are expected to be responsible for ensuring that the physical workplace is safe and free of contaminants and following (or proposing) regulations about these areas. EHS encompasses many responsibilities, including fines, permits, inspections, training programs, and employee notification.

Space Management and Migration

Space management typically includes objectives such as efficiently allocating space, maintaining adequate levels of safety and security, protecting life and property, satisfying statutory requirements, managing change, enhancing customer service, etc.

Space management can be achieved by identifying space allocation requirements and then differentiating between temporary or permanent assignments. Space management is a continuous process in which policies are revised as necessary to reflect changes in organizational needs.

Transportation Management

This is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient movements of people and goods. These activities often occur in transportation, warehousing/distribution, and logistics. The most critical skills for this career path are an organization, leadership, decision-making, and negotiation skills.

Energy management and maintenance

Energy management is the process of ensuring that a facility’s energy needs are met. This includes regulating the cost, efficiency, and type of energy used. The energy manager is also responsible for maintenance and repairs to the equipment that needs it. To do this job successfully, an individual should know various types of equipment such as heating, ventilating, air conditioning, generators, and lighting systems.

Lease management

Lease management is a crucial part of being a facility manager. When leasing space, the goal is to find office space that offers maximum profitability for the company. The facility manager would negotiate with the landlords to get better rates on rent, taxes, and other costs associated with property ownership. They also help manage the day-to-day operations of properties leased by their company.

Maintenance and operations

Maintenance and operations are the most commonly seen role in facility management. They’re responsible for the day-to-day upkeep of buildings. This includes ensuring that all plumbing, cleaning, lighting, and HVAC systems are updated and functioning correctly. The more complex tasks include managing the risk of fire and other dangers like flooding or intruders. The maintenance worker is also responsible for ensuring that any repairs are made timely.

Occupancy and space management

Occupancy and space management focuses on how buildings are configured. It is a complex process, and it takes into account many factors, including storage needs, quality of life for occupants, accessibility of spaces, and more. The goal is to maximize occupancy with the available space.

Emergency management

Emergency management is a significant part of facility management. One of the first things that you are likely to do as an emergency manager is to make sure that enough resources are available. You will also need to assess the situation and determine if it would be best to evacuate or shelter. These decisions depend on many factors, including time, location, size of the incident, potential harm from the incident, and more.

Real estate management

The real estate management field entails a variety of tasks. These can range from overseeing the purchase, construction, and maintenance of a property to handling tenant issues and managing the company’s finances. Successful managers need to multitask, communicate with people and have excellent organizational skills. They must also be able to work with a team of experts to ensure that the customer’s needs are met.

Security Services

Security services at an office are essential for keeping the employees and company data safe. Third-party companies usually offer these services, but the building owners also provide them. Security guards won’t always be on patrol, but buildings with 24-hour security will have security guards that stand watch all day long. As facilities grow, they’ll often add more guards to help keep everything running smoothly.

Workplace & Employee Wellness

Facility managers have a big responsibility to take care of the workplace and their employees. They need to make sure that it is comfortable for everyone and complies with various regulations and laws. One big part of this is promoting good health, which includes supplying healthy food in the break room, providing on-site fitness facilities, and making sure there are smoke-free areas. To promote wellness, facility managers should encourage their employees to participate in activities such as yoga or going outside for lunch.

Sustainable Environment Management

One of the essential benefits of sustainability is reducing our carbon footprint. This can be achieved through energy efficiency, waste management, and conservation. These are all key components to managing any sustainable environment. Managing sustainable environments will help ensure that we create a positive living experience and keep the planet healthy for generations to come.

Fire Safety

To keep people safe, fire safety is a must. There are many different ways to make sure buildings are safe in a fire. This includes sprinklers, alarms, and fire extinguishers found throughout buildings. Some facilities will also have an emergency exit plan posted in case of an escape route. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires companies to have fire safety plans. Some components of these plans include ensuring that the location has an alarm system, a fire extinguisher, a fire hose, and a designated firefighting team. It is also essential for employees to know how to operate the alarm system and where the nearest exits are.

Operational

Operational management is overseeing how a company’s facilities are maintained and managed. This includes ensuring that the buildings are clean and that their systems work. The operation manager is responsible for taking care of all aspects of maintenance, upkeep, and operations.

Smart Technology Integration

The technology in facilities management includes both software and systems. Vast amounts of data are generated by built environments through the Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, wi-fi,  meters, gauges, and intelligent devices.

The most effective solutions enable facilities management departments to use this data by infusing analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) into an Integrated Workplace Management System (IWMS). These technologies deliver cognitive capabilities that make computer-aided facilities management possible. So you can analyze and learn from data, enabling you to achieve real-time visibility, perform predictive facilities maintenance, and create more productive, cost-efficient environments.

Business Continuity

In a natural disaster, organizations must be prepared. This means having alternate locations if the organization’s headquarters are no longer functional. It also means continuing to do business and receiving payments while they find a new location.

Business continuity involves managing processes and procedures in which an organization can continue to function and meet its obligations despite an actual or potential disruption. It also includes restoring services and preparing for future disruptions. The Facility Management department must be ready with backup generators, security guards, and IT support if needed.

What is a facility manager?

A facility manager is a professional that oversees all property functions such as maintenance, cleanliness, security, and repairs. Following are some essential tasks performed by the facility manager;

• A facility manager is responsible for ensuring that the buildings and grounds of an organization are maintained. This can include cleaning, landscaping, recycling, and controlling temperature.
• A facility manager oversees the upkeep and maintenance of a facility.
• He is often responsible for managing all the building’s operations, such as security, utilities, and day-to-day work.
• Facility managers can work in many different sectors, from business to education.
• Usually responsible for overseeing the daily maintenance of a business or more extensive organization. This includes anything from cleaning to checking inventory levels.
• He is also responsible for keeping records about maintenance, purchasing supplies, and scheduling staff members to complete tasks.
• He also works closely with senior management to ensure the property stays in top-notch condition and appeal.
• He works closely with the landlord or property owner to maintain the property, including everything from managing utilities and maintenance to hiring security guards.
•  He is also responsible for overseeing construction projects and liaison with city officials on zoning issues.

Job titles in Facility Management

Following are the various job titles companies are looking for to hire facility management professionals.

• Facilities Coordinator
• Facilities Executive
• Facilities Executive
• Assistant Facility Manager
• Facility Engineer
• Facility Manager
• Workplace Manager
• Facilities Administrator
• Recreation Associate
• Facilities, Growth, and sustainability
• Community Manager
• Community ambassador
• Maintenance Manager
• Site Supervisor- Finishing
• Facility Planner
• Building Services Engineer
• Head – Facilities Management
• Utility Engineer
• Facilities Management Specialist
• Building and Grounds Supervisor
• Building Maintenance Manager
• Facilities Director
• Facilities Maintenance Specialist
• Facilities Management Executive
• Facilities Planning Analyst
• Facilities Program Analyst
• Facilities Strategic Planner
• Facilities Strategist
• Facilities System Specialist
• Facility Coordinator/Supervisor
• Facility Maintenance Analyst
• Facility Manager/Building Manager
• Field Operations Manager
• Compliance Officer
• Space & Facility Management Specialist
• Space Planning & Logistics Leader
• Strategic Facilities Planner
• Strategic Site Planner
• Director of Plant Operations

Core Competencies for Facility Management Career

Having a resume that displays one of the following of IFMA’s core competencies is a great way to bolster your chances of obtaining a role or make up for a lack of educational background:

Communication: Facilities managers need to report above, delegate below, and communicate needs and processes to other staff at their locations.

Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity: Responding to emergencies is half of your job, and allowing the facility to keep running no matter what is the other half.

Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability: As regulations, fines, and tax breaks increase for good actors, facility managers must keep their practices as green as possible.

Finance and Business: The job demands increasing efficiency – finding ways to cut costs without reducing safety is essential.

Human Factors: To be a facility manager, you must delegate tasks to staff, coordinate efforts with peers, and genuinely care about the health and safety of users of your facility.

Leadership and Strategy: Regardless of your level, you must approach the job with a strategic eye and be able to identify micro-details that could cause problems when spread through your team (or in inter-team situations).

Project Management: Knowing how one task impacts another and how to allow teams to work simultaneously separates high performers from the rest.

Quality: You don’t just get the job done; you get it up to code.

Real Estate and Property Management: Facilities management is at least half about the physical property, and knowing the ins and outs will take you a long way.

Technology: From the hardware you interact with daily to the emerging CAFM software revolutionizing the industry, an aptitude for learning new technical systems is the mark of a leader in FM.

Key skills of facility managers

The key skills and competencies of facility managers are listed below.

• Planning and developing the physical structures to meet the needs of project sponsors and stakeholders
• Forecasting upcoming facility-related costs and managing present budgets to ensure they stay within approved levels
• Ensuring that all building systems are working correctly, such as plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical
• Working with contractors to coordinate inspections, construction work, and maintenance for the facilities
• Facility managers are responsible for running a facility’s daily operations, including maintenance, repairs, and HVAC.
• They also have to handle annual budgets, oversee the company’s equipment, and ensure that facilities are safe and clean.
• Facility managers need to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies to keep their work area safe and efficient. Expected skills and competencies include problem-solving, multitasking, and strong communication skills.
• Facility managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a property, such as the buildings, parking lots, and grounds. They are also in charge of budgeting and staffing. One key responsibility is ensuring that everything is in working order.
• A facility manager will then determine how many resources they can allocate to maintenance and repairs. Typically, a facility manager will have at least a Bachelor’s degree. Many companies also require professional certifications in facility management or leadership.

Facilities Management Courses and Education

1. FM Essentials by IFMA

The FM Essentials is the perfect course for facility professionals just entering the industry or transitioning from a different career.

2. Certified Facility Manager (CFM)

The Certified Facility Manager (CFM) is the globally-recognized credential to help you showcase your skills and knowledge mastery across the entire FM body of knowledge.

Other FM Courses by IFMA

3. Online Facility Management Course on Udemy

Learn the fundamentals of facilities management in this online course offered on udemy.

4. Free Online Facilities Management Courses with Certificates

Oxford Home Study Centre offers a selection of endorsed facilities management courses free of charge.  Boost your promotion prospects or lay the groundwork for a new career with our exclusive collection of free facilities management courses.

5. Post Graduate Diploma in Facilities Management, RICS

A unique program among the management courses that prepare students to become Facilities Managers—a very crucial subset of built environment professionals.

6. Introduction to Energy Management Powered by RETScreen

It explains proven strategies to reduce greenhouse gases and encourage the transition to a low carbon economy. It also introduces RETScreen Expert – the world’s leading software to empower cleaner energy decisions.

7. Facility Management- ISO 41001:2018 Training Courses by BIS Group

Training in the New International Facilities Management Standard (FMS) is a great way to start. ISO 41001:2018 provides a framework for facilitating effective and efficient FM structures and resourcing. It’s about recognizing the scope of responsibilities and creating a management structure and resources appropriate to the organization’s needs.

8. Facilities Management Diploma Training Course

This comprehensive course on Facilities Management is an excellent choice for those individuals who have an interest in the field of facilities; either as an existing professional in the sector or with a desire to enter the industry and looking to master the essential skills that they need to embark upon a rewarding and successful career as a Facilities Manager.

Facilities management Industry outlook

There are several types of solutions for the facilities management market, including strategic planning, workplace and relocation management, sustainability management, maintenance management, and professional services.

Estimates for this sector are around $40 billion, with projections of $81.5 billion by 2026.

The increase in spending on the infrastructural aspect is one of the primary drivers of the growth of the FM market. In addition, optimization processes and increasing focus on energy efficiency improvements are driving forces for the development of the FM market.

A few essential industries which require facility management include real estate, manufacturing, retail, and the public sector. These sectors have been experiencing a lot of infrastructure growth and are widely supported by facility management applications requiring data integration.

Although the market is already growing, security concerns related to the security of devices and networks are restraining the growth. With the threats from cybercrime groups, skepticism is affecting the expansion of the market.

Salary Trends

In India, an entry-level Facility Manager with less than 1-year experience can earn an average total compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of ₹360,000.

An early career Facility Manager with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of ₹389,989.

A mid-career Facility Manager with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of ₹506,581

An experienced Facility Manager with ten plus years of experience earns an average total compensation of ₹691,904.

Source: Payscale

Career and Job Outlook

There are many different career paths in facility management, making this field a good option for those who enjoy variety. The opportunities include general building maintenance, lead trades or craft skills (mechanical, plumbing, and electrical), project manager, facilities engineering, facilities construction and design, etc. These jobs require a diploma or a bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, or other related fields.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the occupation will grow by 11% through 2026, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations.

The BLS also predicts that there will be a growth in jobs at colleges and universities. Additionally, construction companies and manufacturers may need more facilities managers to maintain their facilities.

Jobs in the facility management industry are expected to grow by 25% over the next ten years. This makes it a good career choice for those willing to make a long-term investment in their work. The demand for this type of work is expected to stay strong because people will always need safe and well-maintained buildings.

The construction of commercial and residential properties, like business centers and offices, is driving the increased demand to provide integrated facility management services. This industry is being driven forward by the increasing construction of malls in India.

Companies hiring facility Management Profiles

Facility management is commonly associated with white-collar businesses—everything from finance to marketing to tech. These businesses typically utilize a traditional office setting, whether they occupy some or all of a building.

These aren’t the only sectors that value facilities management. Healthcare, finance, and education are all fields that rely heavily on facilities. These sectors and more are taking proven facility management concepts and deploying them to a high level of success.

The great thing about facilities management as a career is essential in organizations of all sizes and types. Opportunities abound for professionals entering the field right now.

Facilities management is a profession that encompasses a variety of different tasks. A facility manager may be in charge of designing the layout of a building, planning the infrastructure and workflows, or overseeing construction. Facilities managers also need to ensure that their facilities are running efficiently after they’re complete. Managing the day-to-day operations of a workplace is also considered part of facilities management, as are security, cleaning, and maintenance.

Follow are some of the most prominent industry segments which hire the Facilities Management professionals;

• Real Estate Consultants
• Real estate
• Manufacturing Industry
• Retail Industry
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• Chemical Industry
• Automobile Industry
• BFSI
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• Government Establishments
• Hospital
• Hotel Industry
• Airlines
• Housing Societies

Where to find a Facilities Management Job Right Now?

If you’re just looking to get started in facilities management right now without many resources, here’s a quick checklist to get you started:

• Construct a resume highlighting your experiences related to teamwork, attention to detail, ability to pick up new skills quickly, and a positive attitude.
• Use IFMA’s online job boards and the people you meet as connections.
• Find the facilities/property/building management departments of any significant local facilities in your area: try schools, universities, government buildings, and the largest corporations.
• Get in touch with the highest-ranking person and request an informational interview even if they say there are no positions available or you are told to “apply on the website.” You’ll always have a better chance with a person than with an automated system.
• Register your job profile on job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster, Naukri, etc. Response rates for these sites can be low, so don’t be discouraged, and continue using your network as you grow it.

Conclusion

This article intends to help people understand the different career paths that facility management offers. We’ve seen that the field is growing and that it’s an exciting and fulfilling line of work to consider. There are a lot of additional steps, but there is a lot of opportunity for growth too. Facility managers need to understand the technology and pay close attention to the needs of their company and customers. It’s not easy work, but it can be rewarding.

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