What are the essential skills needed for a career in facilities management? There are many things to consider, including certifications, key responsibilities, and the skills necessary for success. Read on to discover the primary and essential functions of facilities management. There is a hierarchy of duties and several vital skills required. Then decide how to apply those skills to achieve your goals.
Skills needed to succeed
People skills are essential for success in this career. You’ll deal with many people daily, from security personnel to maintenance teams and tenants to external vendors and significant stakeholders. As such, you must be calm, rational, and adaptable. In addition, as technology evolves and jobs become more automated, you’ll need technical skills to keep pace with your employer’s needs. If you don’t have any prior IT experience, consider training in robotics or automation to gain a competitive edge.
Managing a facility requires much attention to detail and a willingness to multi-task. You’ll need to know the ins and outs of a company’s finances and have a keen eye for detail. But more importantly, you’ll need to know how to make sense of critical numbers. A solid understanding of universal design principles is essential, as is a working knowledge of project management. You’ll need to be able to engage all departments in projects and manage multiple projects.
Duties of a facility manager
The duties of a facility manager include the management of a wide range of facilities and the maintenance of a suitable working environment. As a result, the job requires a blend of technical and soft skills. A smart facility management manager must have excellent organizational skills and a firm grasp of the best management practices. They must also be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Other duties of a facility manager include overseeing the installation of new equipment, ensuring adequate electrical and plumbing services, maintaining an appropriate communication infrastructure, and managing parking spaces. This job requires a degree in a related field.
In a facility management position, you will oversee the installation of new equipment, the upkeep of existing equipment, vendor relationships, and employee and client requirements. You will also manage staff and external contractors to ensure compliance with company policies and guidelines. In addition, your duties will include keeping accurate records of labor and space costs in your organization. You’ll also need to learn how to implement technology for a more efficient workplace.
Key Responsibilities
Among the many facilities’ many duties, the manager ensures that an institution’s physical infrastructure is working correctly. The job also involves developing monitoring systems and programs to identify potential problems and initiate solutions. The position is also critical in determining areas where costs can be reduced or efficiency increased.
An FM must have excellent communication skills and be able to factor in any problems. Managing an office or building means having excellent interpersonal skills and being adept at multitasking. A facilities manager’s critical responsibilities are ensuring that electrical and plumbing services are in proper working order, providing food and vending services, and adhering to health and safety regulations. An FM should also be able to maintain appropriate communication infrastructure and oversee parking spaces. To succeed in this role, you should be well-trained in the use of technology and have extensive knowledge of the field.
Certifications
There are many benefits of pursuing a certificate in facilities management. In addition to being useful as a means of exemplifying your achievements to potential employers, it will improve your reputation among peers. You can choose a certificate that suits your goals based on your professional and personal goals. The following are some benefits of pursuing a certification in facilities management. The IFMA’s professional certificate program provides an overview of facility management. Upon completion, participants will understand all building systems and maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This certification is ideal for entry into the field of facility management. The FMC certificate requires the completion of three courses and a grade of seventy percent or higher.
Working with employees
As a facilities manager, you are responsible for keeping employees happy and productive. Ensure their working environment is comfortable and safe, and resolve any issues. For example, you can set up a Slack channel to streamline the work order submission process. You may also want to conduct employee surveys to determine how employees feel about specific issues. As a facility manager, you have many tools for this task.
Facilities management’s crucial role in enforcing health and safety procedures at workplaces. They will also monitor and analyze strategies to eliminate workplace hazards. In addition, facilities managers will ensure that all workplaces meet regulatory requirements. Another essential role of facilities management is financial management. Work order management, vendor management, and training programs are various processes involved in facilities management. Some of the most common processes involve different departments, assets, spaces, and employees.
