In order to become an area facilities manager, you need to have a combination of technical, managerial, and interpersonal skills, as well as relevant qualifications and experience. For instance, a bachelor's degree or equivalent in facilities management, engineering, business administration, or a related field is essential. Additionally, a professional certification or accreditation in facilities management, such as the Certified Facility Manager (CFM) or the Facility Management Professional (FMP) from the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), is necessary. Furthermore, at least five years of experience in facilities management, especially in a supervisory or leadership role, is preferred. Moreover, knowledge of the best practices, standards, and regulations for facilities management, health and safety, environmental, and quality management is essential. Additionally, proficiency in using various software tools and systems for facilities management such as computer-aided facility management (CAFM), building information modeling (BIM), or enterprise resource planning (ERP) is important. Furthermore, excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills are required to work with different levels of stakeholders. Additionally, strong organizational skills with problem-solving and decision-making abilities are necessary to prioritize tasks and multitask efficiently. Finally, flexibility, adaptability and resilience are essential to cope with changing demands and challenges.