Facilities manager

As a facilities manager, you'll coordinate the day‑to‑day running of buildings and estates while also contributing to longer‑term planning and improvements, ensuring that workplaces are safe, compliant and cost‑effective. You'll work across areas such as:

• catering
• cleaning
• contractor management
• health and safety
• maintenance
• security
• space planning.

Your responsibilities will vary depending on the size and structure of the organisation. In larger organisations, you may focus on strategic planning and contract management, while in smaller settings you may take a more hands‑on operational role.

Types of facilities managers

Facilities managers may specialise in areas such as:

• contract and supplier management
• estates and property management
• hard services (building fabric, mechanical and electrical systems, maintenance and compliance)
• health, safety and environmental compliance
• soft services (cleaning, catering, security, reception and waste management)
• space planning and workplace strategy.

Facilities manager responsibilities

As a facilities manager, you'll need to:

• prepare tender documents and manage procurement processes for contractors and service providers
• oversee, coordinate and monitor the work of contractors to ensure quality and compliance
• assess the suitability of new premises and support relocation or refurbishment projects
• compare costs for goods and services to ensure value for money and budget efficiency
• plan for future building needs in line with organisational strategy
• manage change effectively to minimise disruption to business operations
• coordinate essential services such as security, reception, maintenance, cleaning, catering, waste disposal and recycling
• ensure buildings meet health and safety requirements and comply with UK legislation and industry standards
• implement measures to keep staff safe and maintain a secure working environment
• plan and optimise the use of space and resources across buildings and sites
• check that work carried out by staff or contractors meets agreed standards and address any issues
• lead and coordinate teams responsible for different facilities functions
• use performance management techniques to monitor service levels and drive improvements
• respond to emergencies or urgent issues and manage the consequences effectively.

Facilities manager salary

• Graduate or assistant facilities manager salaries typically range from £27,000 to £35,000, depending on location and employer.
• With experience, you can expect to earn £38,000 to £65,000, particularly in large organisations or specialist roles.
• Senior managers may earn £60,000 to £80,000, and at director level salaries can reach £90,000 to £100,000+, especially in sectors such as healthcare, corporate estates or large‑scale commercial property.

Salary variations are usually due to the sector, function and location of the organisation. Additional benefits often include a pension scheme, private healthcare, performance‑related bonuses, a company car or car allowance, and profit‑share or share‑save schemes.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does a facilities manager work?

Standard working hours are generally 38 to 40 hours per week, although longer hours may be required to meet project deadlines or respond to emergencies.

Some facilities management roles involve shift work or rota patterns, particularly in organisations that operate 24 hours a day, such as hospitals, transport hubs or manufacturing sites.

How do I become a facilities manager?

You don't need a specific degree to enter this role, but the following subjects may improve your chances:

• building management
• business studies
• construction
• engineering or building services engineering
• facilities management
• hospitality
• management
• property
• surveying.

Entry with an HND or foundation degree is also possible, particularly in subjects such as facilities management, business studies or management.

Entry without a degree or HND is possible for those with the right combination of skills and experience, which could be gained from roles in management, administration, hospitality or building operations.

The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM), offers a range of facilities management qualifications at different levels, depending on your experience.

You can also complete a facilities management apprenticeship, which combines paid work with academic study.

Some larger organisations run graduate development programmes, offering structured training and placements. These may allow you to specialise in areas such as security, retail, estates or corporate services. Competition is strong, and many schemes require a minimum 2:1 degree, with some also requesting an IWFM qualification.

What skills does a facilities manager need?

You'll need to demonstrate:

• strong leadership and people management skills to motivate, coordinate and develop staff, contractors and service providers
• excellent communication and relationship-building skills to work effectively with employees, suppliers, contractors and senior stakeholders
• project management skills to oversee refurbishments, relocations, maintenance programmes and service improvements
• strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads, manage multiple projects and respond to changing demands
• problem-solving and decision-making skills to resolve operational issues quickly and maintain business continuity
• commercial awareness, including procurement and contract management skills, to manage budgets, suppliers and service agreements effectively
• digital and IT skills, including the use of facilities management software, building management systems and data reporting tools.

A full driving licence may be required if the role involves travelling between sites.

Facilities manager work experience

Pre‑entry experience is desirable, and a placement year in industry can be useful for gaining practical skills and building a network of contacts.

Look for opportunities to gain experience in areas such as:

• administration
• building operations
• business support
• construction
• engineering
• management.

Experience in the hospitality sector can also be valuable, as the role requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a range of people.

Work experience in facilities management, estates, property services or building operations is ideal, but any experience involving coordination, customer service, compliance or operational management will be useful.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs facilities managers?

Facilities managers are employed across the public, private and non‑profit sectors. Job titles vary and may include:

• asset manager
• estates manager
• operations manager
• property manager
• technical services manager.

Typical employers include:

• business consultancies
• facilities management providers
• industrial facilities and factories
• large public buildings such as museums and libraries
• local councils
• offices and corporate workplaces
• prisons
• private and NHS hospitals
• schools, colleges and universities
• scientific laboratories
• shops and business parks
• specialist facilities management consultancies
• stadiums and leisure venues.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Career Structure
• FM World Jobs - official job board for the IWFM
• i-FM
• Property Week 4 Jobs

Specialist recruitment agencies, such as Michael Page and Macdonald and Company, handle vacancies.

Professional development and career prospects

Most organisations provide on‑the‑job training, which you can supplement with professional qualifications.

The IWFM offers a full suite of facilities management qualifications, from operational level through to senior management.

For some roles, you may need qualifications from:

• Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
• National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH)

If you have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), you can become a chartered surveyor within the RICS Facilities Management faculty by completing the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

You’ll be expected to undertake continuing professional development (CPD), which may include short courses, in‑house training and specialist workshops. Common areas of training include:

• building systems and maintenance
• health and safety
• leadership and business skills
• legislation and compliance
• sustainability and environmental management.

Membership of IWFM and other professional bodies such as CIOB (The Chartered Institute of Building) and CIBSE - Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), can support your development through networking, training and CPD opportunities.

Career progression typically begins in an assistant manager role, focusing on one area such as cleaning, catering or maintenance. You may then progress to department manager and later move into general management, overseeing all facilities operations.

From there, you could advance into area, regional or sector management roles, and eventually to director level. In smaller organisations, progression may require moving to a larger employer with more senior roles available.

Facilities managers are also well placed to move into broader operational or general management roles, or to specialise in consultancy and potentially establish their own business.