The facility manager is a professional who is increasingly sought after by companies in a context of ecological transition and digital transformation. They play a strategic role in ensuring the smooth running of a company's buildings and facilities, while optimising services for occupants. So what are the main tasks of a facility manager? What skills do you need to master to do this job? What are the attractions and constraints? Find out in this job description.
Technological change, on the one hand: digitalisation, building automation, etc. Increasing environmental demands, on the other: reduction of the carbon footprint, more ecological management of spaces, etc. The facility manager's job is on a roll. This position is becoming essential for any organisation concerned about the sustainable management of its infrastructures.
What does it do? To manage all the services associated with an organisation's buildings and facilities. The challenge is twofold:
1/ Ensuring optimal working environment guaranteeing the quality, safety and accessibility of infrastructures
2/ Optimising operating costs while complying with current regulations and employee expectations
The facility manager therefore plays a key role in the company's overall performance and employee experience thanks to an improved working environment.
"A working environment in harmony with the people who work there.
What are the differences between facility management and general services?
Often compared to a general services manager, the facility manager's role is more strategic than operational. They are expected to take a more global view.
Some notable differences :
- Firstly, it is more often multisite.
- It must also incorporate a stronger sustainability dimension in relation to the the company's CSR strategy.
- Its role extends beyond compliance to risk management.
- Finally, its business includes a strong innovation component.
But it all depends on the size and sector of the company. For example, in an SME, the two roles may be confused, whereas in a large group they are quite distinct.
They should not be confused with property managers. The latter concentrates on the building without managing the associated services, such as rent collection.
What are the main tasks of a facility manager?
Facility managers are responsible for managing buildings and associated services. He or she must ensure that they operate smoothly and that costs are optimised, while incorporating sustainability and energy efficiency criteria.
Property strategy
Energy performance
Property strategy
A wide range of key responsibilities
The facility manager's main duties include :
- Property and infrastructure management (preventive and corrective maintenance, technical operation of buildings, monitoring of works and modernisation of facilities)
- Cost optimisation and budget management (drawing up and monitoring operating and investment budgets, seeking savings on service and energy contracts)
- Management of occupier services (supervision of cleaning, security, reception, space and furniture management, catering)
- Compliance and risk management (application of safety standards, accessibility and environmental regulations, insurance and security management)
- Sustainable development and energy efficiency (introduction of eco-responsible solutions such as renewable energies, waste reduction, smart buildings)
- Digitalisation and technological innovation (integration of building management tools, Internet of Things, etc.)
[Training]
Mastering the integration and management of service providers is a real challenge. Not least because you need to demonstrate authority and legitimacy in a non-hierarchical relationship, while motivating and involving service providers. So what are the best practices for organising, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating the activity? And how do you establish a clear contractual framework, define precise objectives and identify shared expectations to foster a climate of trust and cooperation? Find out in the training programme Managing service providers.
The managerial functions of the facility manager
As well as supervising service providers, facility managers may have managerial responsibilities. This is more often the case in a large company or a major site. In such cases, they supervise an in-house team of technicians, maintenance staff, security managers, cleaning staff and even other support functions, depending on the size and structure of the company.
[Training]
How can you instil a positive team dynamic and successfully achieve your objectives? What are the most effective ways of motivating your staff, and what channels should you use to communicate with them? What strategies and tools should you adopt to optimise your team management? In the form of intensive workshops, come and try out methods adapted to your day-to-day management: delegation, feedback, active listening, assertiveness, etc. Find out more about the training programme. Team management: best practice.
His superpower: predicting the future?
Optimisation
Innovation
Anticipation
Technological developments and new ways of organising work, hardening regulations, political instability, inflation, climate change, etc. VUCA worldIn an uncertain global environment, knowing how to adapt and anticipate risks are essential skills. For example, they have to draw up business continuity plans in the event of an intense climatic event (heatwave, fire, storm, etc.). So this is a professional who thinks and acts in the long term.
Unforeseen
Unusual
Emergency
But the very short term can also have a lasting impact on the company... The facility manager must be responsive to unforeseen situations: fire alarms, suspicious odours, escalator breakdowns... His or her ability to manage crises quickly is essential to minimise the impact on operations. In short, the facility manager must be agile!
Testimonial
"An unexpected and funny challenge
Antoine, facility manager at the head office of a technology company
"One morning, I received an e-mail from the General Manager reporting a 'suspicious smell' in his office. After inspection, nothing unusual was found. But the unpleasant smell persisted.
First hypothesis: could it be a smelly cleaning product? I asked the maintenance team, who assured me that they hadn't used anything unusual. Second hypothesis: it must be the ventilation system. I take a look... still nothing. Nevertheless, I called in a technician, who dismantled some of the ducts to see if a rodent had taken up residence there, as sometimes happens. The verdict: the system was impeccable, and there were no unwanted tenants. The third, more audacious hypothesis: a set-up? It's Friday, a good day for jokes among colleagues. But the General Manager's office is almost a sanctuary...
I'm beginning to think about burning a stick of incense as an exorcism when I open a rarely used drawer and discover... an old sandwich left behind at a board meeting! Since then, I've joked that crisis management also includes 'olfactory emergencies' and that maybe I should add it to my CV."
Some examples of secondary missions
In addition, the facility manager may also be required to :
- Manage mobility and internal logistics (organise internal removals, manage car parks, etc.)
- Supervise supplier relations and general service contracts
- Coordinating internal communication on the working environment (raising awareness of best practice in safety and sustainable development)
- Participate in layout projects (design of ergonomic and collaborative workspaces)
- Monitoring employee satisfaction (setting up employee satisfaction surveys, etc.) quality of life and working conditions [QLWC]. and adjusting services to employee expectations)
They carry out these tasks in conjunction with the various company departments concerned: human resources, logistics, general services, CSR, communications, etc.
What training do you need to become a facility manager?
A 2 to 5-year higher education qualification in the following fields is often required:
- Civil engineering, industrial engineering or building maintenance
- General services management
- Infrastructure and environment management
- Real estate management
Master's degrees specialising in work environment management or general services management are very popular, particularly the MIPI master's degree (management, innovation of real estate services and assets). Building or HQSE engineers are also particularly sought after.
What skills do you need?
Hard skills
- Knowledge of infrastructure, maintenance and technical management of buildings
- Mastery of safety standards and building regulations
- Skills in budget management and negotiating with suppliers
- Proficiency in building management tools: CMMS (computer-aided maintenance management), BIM (building information modelling), etc.
- Sensitivity to environmental and energy issues
Soft skills
- Organisational skills and priority management
- Analytical and decision-making skills
- Relational, communication and leadership skills
- Rigour and ability to manage emergencies
- Adaptability and openness to innovation
What does a facility manager earn?
Gross annual pay varies between 35,000 and €70,000with an average of around 47 000 €. Experience, the number of people to be managed, the size of the company, the number of sites to be managed and the sector of activity all have a strong influence on salary.
What kind of working environment?
Facility managers may work in the public or private sector. They work as employees or freelance consultants.
Facilities management companies, technical design offices and engineering firms come to mind first. Industry also offers opportunities with complex and/or extensive infrastructures. Companies with large premises, such as banks, hospitals, universities, shopping centres and airlines, often hire facility managers to manage the installations. In smaller companies, the profiles sought are more versatile or are the result of internal development to meet new needs linked to the company's growth.
On average, a facility manager manages between 20,000 and 50,000 square metres. However, this figure can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of building (office, retail, industrial), the complexity of the services offered and the level of automation. If he has a team, it is accepted that he can manage up to 15 hectares (150,000 square metres).
Finally, the working conditions of facility managers vary depending on the organisation that employs them. Most often, they work on the site they manage. They divide their time between :
- His office, where he is in regular contact with service providers
- In the field to ensure that the required services are provided
Telecommuting is a possibility. The job may also involve on-call duty (evenings, weekends, public holidays).
What are the prospects for development?
Facility managers can progress to positions such as :
- Site manager or general services manager
- Real estate operations director or property manager
- Director of Work Environment
- Infrastructure management consultant
What are the attractions and constraints of being a facility manager?
Attractions
- Versatile position with a wide range of tasks
- Direct impact on employee well-being and productivity
- Numerous opportunities for development
- High-demand profession with stable employment
Constraints
- Managing the unexpected
- Strong responsibility for safety and compliance
- Budgetary pressure
