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Facilities manager

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Facilities and property services
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Career outlook for facilities manager

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£23,000

Experienced

£47,000

Currently employed in Scotland

10,400

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would make sure that buildings are well-maintained and meet the needs of the people who work there.

If the building is clean and the services are efficient then the people who work there can easily get on with their jobs.

You would organise services such as cleaning, security and parking. You’d be responsible for the maintenance of equipment like heating and air conditioning systems.

You would:

  • Manage the general upkeep and maintenance of the building
  • Organise refurbishments, renovations and office moves
  • Advise on energy efficiency
  • Oversee services such as cleaning, waste disposal, catering and parking
  • Look after budgets and keep records of payments
  • Negotiate the best deals with contractors and suppliers
  • Manage security
  • Manage office systems including information technology and office equipment.

You’d need to make sure that the building meets health and safety standards and legal requirements. You’d work with a wide range of people and have to deal with lots of tasks at once.

There are roles as facilities managers in the public and private sector.

You could work for a facilities management company that is contracted to manage facilities for a number of organisations.

In small companies, facilities management may be part of a general management role.

Working conditions

Hours

You would work around 40 hours a week, usually 9am to 5pm, but you may sometimes need to do extra hours, for example to deal with emergencies.

Environment

You would be office-based but might need to visit other sites if you work for a large, multi-site company.

Travel

You would probably need to do some travelling, particularly if you work for a large, multi-site company.

UK employment status

Full-time

59%

Part-time

12%

Self employed

30%

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  • Innovative
  • Working with numbers
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  • Delegating
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  • Taking responsibility

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Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

You would need a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or a degree (SCQF level 9) in facilities management or other relevant subject such as engineering, management or business studies. 

You can also enter a job without these qualifications and study part-time to gain professional qualifications such as The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) offers a Level 3 Award, Certificate (SCQF level 7) and Diploma (SCQF level 8) in Facilities Management. 

You can enter a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications. 

To enter a Facilities Management Degree (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers or above or a relevant HNC/HND. 

 

 

Useful subjects

  • English
  • Maths
  • Practical technologies
  • ICT
  • Business management

You will also need

You may require a driving licence for some jobs.

Helpful to have

A postgraduate qualification (SCQF level 11) would be useful but is not essential.