The role of facility manager involves a wide range of functions, from supporting employees to strategic planning and security maintenance. Many businesses are unaware of the benefits a facilities manager can bring to the day to day running of their company. So, what does a facilities manager do and why is it an important role?
What Is A Facility Manager?
A facility manager is generally responsible for the maintenance and management of supporting services of an organisation, such as security, health and safety, as well as cleaning and catering. Essentially, they aid the working environment of a business to enhance efficacy. The average facility manager salary is around £37,500 in the UK, with some regional variation.
Role Of A Facility Manager
Facilities managers are responsible for a wide variety of essential functions. Here are some of the responsibilities of a facility manager role.
Building maintenance
Budget management
To effectively run their department, a facilities manager will have to work with a set budget. As this can be a challenging task due to being involved in several key areas and having to ensure they stick within a designated budget, the facility manager will work in close contact with the company finance department.
Employee support/space management
One of the main roles of a facilities manager is supporting employees. This means excellent communication skills are essential as they have to liaise with staff, ensuring their work environment is accommodating in a broad sense. They often have to help enhance productivity and efficacy via space utilisation, facilitating moves, workspace arrangements and emergency planning. If a problem arises regarding the comfort or safety of staff members, the facilities manager will deal with it.
Health and safety
Health and safety matters are of great importance when it comes to running a business. The role of the facility manager in terms of health and safety is to ensure government regulations are adhered to. This can cover risk management, ensuring correct security is installed and maintained, as well as providing staff with the correct safety equipment to do their job (if required).
Waste management
Ensuring waste is dealt with correctly is essential to any business, especially as it means the workplace is clean and tidy for employees and visitors. Additionally, it helps with recycling waste. Waste across the whole of the business can include paper, canteen rubbish, and sanitary waste which needs to be disposed of correctly.
Contract management
A facility manager oversees the contracts of external companies that may be needed, such as catering, cleaning, building and maintenance staff. Facility managers work very closely with other organisations to make sure the business is making the most out of its resources. In addition to negotiation, they also develop and maintain relationships with contractors to ensure outside contracts are fulfilled.
Waste management
Ensuring waste is dealt with correctly is essential to any business, especially as it means the workplace is clean and tidy for employees and visitors. Additionally, it helps with recycling waste. Waste across the whole of the business can include paper, canteen rubbish, and sanitary waste which needs to be disposed of correctly.
Planning
Alongside the smooth running of the company, good facilities management also considers the future requirements of the business. This may involve having to project manage future plans, such as renovations or refurbishments. It can also include upgrading IT equipment, ensuring replacements do not disrupt the workforce, and scheduling maintenance tasks. The facility manager must liaise with key decision-makers and other heads of departments to determine the best strategies for infrastructure.
Staff operations
An efficient workplace and facilities management go hand in hand. The overall role of a facility manager is to oversee the smooth running of the company. Therefore, an excellent facility manager will determine ways the business can run more effectively, whether that involves an increase in productivity or cost-effectiveness. They will assist with any office relocations, oversee external contractors who are working within the organisation, in addition to supporting staff.
Emergency management
The facility manager should have contingency plans in place for what to do in the event of an emergency, whether that crisis is equipment breaking down or security breaches taking place. Generally, facilities management are only involved in emergencies that affect health, safety, security and usability. Furthermore, any emergency issues with external contractors will likely require their input.
Why Is A Facilities Manager Important?
A facilities manager is imperative to the smooth day-to-day running of an organisation, as well as many other reasons. Some of these include:
- Improves the efficacy of the business
- Oversees fundamental health and safety matters to keep people safe and secure
- Enhances the productivity of the workplace
- Ensures emergencies are dealt with quickly
- Helps the business to adapt when required
- Deals with visitors to the company
- Manages the overall operations of services
Many facilities managers require excellent communication skills, expert knowledge of electrics, plumbing or mechanics and technical skills. As the daily work can be varied and complex, they should be able to make fast decisions, have good problem-solving skills and have the ability to think proactively, oversee projects and build relationships with a wide range of people, both inside and outside of the company.
A Facilities Manager Can Be A Valuable Asset
Now you’re aware of what a facilities manager job description involves, and how important it potentially is to your business, you may be interested in hiring an in-house facility manager. Alternatively, outsourcing to a professional commercial cleaning company is another beneficial option for enhancing the day to day operations of your business.
