Facilities manager

How to become a facilities manager

You can gain the qualifications you need by doing a university or college course, or an apprenticeship. If you already have some relevant experience you may be able to apply to an employer directly or complete on-the-job training.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

University

You could do a foundation or undergraduate degree. This would help you to progress into more senior roles. 

Relevant subjects include facilities management, property or estate management or building services management, but you don’t necessarily need a specific degree to become a facilities manager. You may have gained sufficient experience in another area of work such as administration, management or hospitality.

You’ll need at least 1 A level (or equivalent) to do a foundation degree or 2 - 3 A levels (or equivalent) for a first degree. 

Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.

• Find a university course
• Funding advice
• Equivalent entry requirements explained

College/training provider

Some colleges or training providers offer an NVQ Level 3 in facilities management. 

You won’t need any existing qualifications for this but it would help to have GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths.

The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) and Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) also award relevant qualifications.

Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.

• Find a course near you
• Funding advice

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship with a construction firm is a good way into the industry. 

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider. 

You could complete an advanced apprenticeship to become a facilities supervisor or a higher apprenticeship to become a facilities manager. You’d spend up to two years doing on-the-job training, with time at a college or training provider.

Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.

• Find an apprenticeship near you
• Guide to apprenticeships

Work

If you have relevant qualifications or experience in a related area such as building services, administration, management or health and safety, you may be able to apply directly to an employer.

Whilst working, you could study part-time for a qualification with the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management(IWFM) or the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). Masters degrees in facilities management are also available.

If you are just starting out, you could apply for a job as a building caretaker, trainee or assistant facilities manager. You could then do on-the-job training (such as a Level 3 Diploma in Facilities Management) to work your work up. 

Work experience

To help decide whether this job is for you, further your skills and impress employers, you could gain some work experience. Potential employers will always be pleased to see this listed on your CV.  

• Find out more about work experience

Skills

Additional skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as a facilities manager include:

• Customer service and administration skills
• Business management skills
• Be thorough and pay attention to detail
• Knowledge of economics and accounting
• Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• Able to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• Able to work well with others
• Able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Qualifications

What does a facilities manager do?

As a facilities manager you will be responsible for overseeing building maintenance for a variety of things. This will ensure the smooth operation of buildings which is vital for places such as offices and hospitals.

The job role of a facilities manager involves the following duties:

• Overseeing building maintenance and support services such as cleaning, catering, hospitality, security or parking
• Ensuring buildings function smoothly throughout their operational life
• Inputting into the design stages of a project and identifying future maintenance issues
• Liaising with clients and contractors
• Creating a strategic management system, for the benefit of an organisation’s infrastructure and people
• Coordinating refurbishments and renovations
• Ensuring buildings meet health and safety and energy efficiency standards
• Managing budgets and accounts
• Working for a large institution in the private or public sector.

How much could you earn as a facilities manager?

The expected salary for a facilities manager varies as you become more experienced.

• Newly trained facilities managers can earn in the region of £20,000 - £25,000
• Trained with experience facilities managers can earn in the region of £25,000 - £40,000
• Senior, chartered or master facilities managers can earn in the region of £40,000- £60,000

Hour and salaries depend on location, employer and any overtime you may do. Salaries and career options also improve with chartered status.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Check out the latest facilities manager vacancies:

• Totaljobs
• Reed

As these are external websites, the number of vacancies related to your preferred role may vary. New opportunities will be posted as they come up.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a senior or regional manager and earn a higher salary. 

You could specialise in one area of facilities management, such as parking, security or cleaning.