Facilities Manager Job Description
A Facilities Manager oversees the physical workspace and ensures the building, equipment, and services support the organization's operations. They manage maintenance, safety, vendor relationships, space planning, and workplace experience. The role is part operations manager, part workplace experience owner, part safety officer.
All roles Facilities Manager
What does a Facilities Manager do?
A Facilities Manager manages building maintenance and repairs, coordinates office moves and space planning, oversees cleaning, security, and catering services, ensures safety and compliance with building codes, manages vendor contracts and relationships, and handles facilities budgets. They also plan and manage workplace experience initiatives, coordinate with IT on workspace technology, manage parking and transportation, and respond to facilities emergencies.
Facilities Manager responsibilities
- Manage building maintenance, repairs, and facilities infrastructure
- Coordinate office moves, space planning, and workspace configuration
- Oversee vendor contracts for cleaning, security, catering, and maintenance services
- Ensure compliance with building codes, safety regulations, and environmental standards
- Manage the facilities budget including operating expenses and capital projects
- Plan and execute workplace experience initiatives (events, amenities, ergonomics)
- Coordinate with IT on workspace technology (AV systems, meeting room technology)
- Manage parking, transportation, and access control systems
- Respond to facilities emergencies and coordinate resolution
- Conduct regular inspections and audits of facilities and safety equipment
Essential requirements
- Experience managing facilities, building operations, or workplace services
- Knowledge of building maintenance, safety regulations, and compliance requirements
- Vendor management skills for negotiating and overseeing service contracts
- Budget management experience for facilities operations
- Organizational skills for managing multiple facilities projects simultaneously
- Communication skills for coordinating with employees, vendors, and leadership
Preferred qualifications
- Facilities management certifications (FMP, CFM, or similar)
- Experience with facilities management software (FMX, SpaceIQ, Corrigo)
- Knowledge of LEED, WELL, or other sustainable building standards
- Experience managing large office spaces or multi-site facilities
- Background in the relevant industry or company size
Core skills
Technical / professional skills
- Facilities management software (FMX, SpaceIQ, Corrigo, Archibus)
- Building management systems (BMS) and HVAC monitoring
- Space planning and CAD tools (AutoCAD, SpaceIQ)
- Project management tools for facilities projects
- Safety compliance tracking and documentation
- Budget management and financial reporting tools
- Access control and security systems
Soft skills
- Problem-solving — handling unexpected facilities issues quickly and effectively
- Vendor management — negotiating contracts and holding vendors accountable
- Communication — coordinating with employees, vendors, and leadership clearly
- Planning — managing facilities projects proactively rather than reactively
- Attention to detail — catching safety and compliance issues before they become problems
Experience and education guidance
Most Facilities Manager roles require 3-7 years of experience in facilities management, building operations, or property management. The scope varies by company size — managing a single office is different from managing multiple sites globally. Evaluate based on the building size, employee count, and complexity of the facilities operation.
Facilities Managers commonly hold degrees in Facilities Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related fields. FMP (Facilities Management Professional) and CFM (Certified Facility Manager) certifications validate expertise. Many successful Facilities Managers come from building maintenance, property management, or operations backgrounds.
What to include in this job description
Include the building size and employee count, whether the role manages a single site or multiple locations, the vendor categories managed, the facilities budget, and whether the role involves workplace experience or purely building operations. Be specific about the physical workspace and any special requirements (labs, manufacturing, retail).
Common job description mistakes for this role
Common mistakes include describing the role as purely maintenance (it involves planning, budgeting, and vendor management), not specifying the scale of the operation, treating facilities as an administrative function (it's a strategic workplace role), and failing to mention safety and compliance responsibilities.
How to customize this job description
After generating a Facilities Manager job description, specify the building type and scale. If the role involves workplace experience (employee experience, amenities), emphasize that aspect. If it's purely building operations, emphasize maintenance and compliance. If the company is growing rapidly, emphasize space planning and move management experience.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Facilities Manager do?
A Facilities Manager oversees the physical workspace. They manage building maintenance, vendor contracts, safety compliance, space planning, and workplace experience. The role ensures the building and its services support the organization's operations effectively.
What is the difference between a Facilities Manager and an Office Manager?
A Facilities Manager focuses on building operations, maintenance, vendor management, and safety. An Office Manager focuses on office administration, supplies, scheduling, and day-to-day office operations. The facilities manager manages the building; the office manager manages the office functions within it.
Do I need a certification to be a Facilities Manager?
Certifications (FMP, CFM) are valued but not always required. They validate facilities management knowledge and can be differentiators. What matters most is demonstrated experience managing building operations, vendors, and safety compliance.
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