Job Profile
If you are planning to become a facilities director you need to know the basics of such profession. As a director of facilities, you have to perform various duties and tasks like overseeing daily maintenance, supervising cleaning staff, procuring supplies and more. In other words, you need to manage janitorial staffs in the maintenance department. Added to this, construction projects, estate contracts etc. need to be handled. This is to ensure operations compliance with OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Facilities directors are employed in most industries and sectors. His or her responsibilities are broad and cover various departments, like central services which link between the team and the organization. There are companies, where the duties are more hands-on jobs and practical tasks. Most of them are employed on the basis of consultancy and they are contracted for the management of various activities, especially in a client based organization.
A facilities director is responsible to administer fire safety policies, plans and procedures. As a director of facilities, it is your duty to recruit, manage, train and if required, and terminate facilities staff. They also need to provide advice to senior management regarding safety and insurance in the workplace as per the regulations of OSHA.
As a facilities director, you have to take the responsibility of service and process management that supports your organization. You have to ensure that there is a suitable environment and good working condition for visitors, residents, students or employees depending on the facility.
You have the responsibility to oversee the external vendors of your firm and also supervise office renovations, constructions and similar projects. Added to the numerous duties, you also have the sole responsibility to move or relocate staffs from one location of work to another. Administration of safety policies and communicating with the fire department is done by a facilities director. Professionals like on-staff security are under director of facilities. So, as a director of facilities, you are more like a communicator between the company and the authorities of law enforcement.
Educational Qualifications and Skill Sets Required by a Facilities Director
All aspiring facilities directors must have a four-year degree or equivalent educational qualifications. Apart from the basic qualifications, you must also possess management skills that are exceptional and imperative.
You must have great communications skills too. Having interpersonal and people management skills is vital as you would have to communicate and deal with many people. Multitasking is required to manage several projects at one go. You have to be a people person and be able to motivate your team and even professionals. This way they would also be able to do their duties and responsibilities under your supervision. Being rational is a must, as you would require solving various problems, as well as now and then also doing the management of budgets, etc.
As this is a senior level post that has the vital responsibility to manage team and staffs, applicants must possess experience, a maximum of 5 years of a professional nature within any facilities department and management. It will not be possible for a novice to fulfill the responsibilities of a facilities director.
The Future of a Facilities Director
Facility management is a growing field with a projected growth of 12 percent by 2016 with an added 29,000 jobs in the field, according to the US Department of Labor. However, facility management is sensitive to economic downturns which may constrain growth as well as outsourcing which may inhibit salaries.
There is a fixed salary for all facilities directors with the basics amounting more than $89,000. If you are an entry level applicant, then you can start off by getting junior level posts, for example a janitor and then rise up by gaining experience in this particular field.
This field and career depends on your experience and efficiency and there is no room for stagnancy in job opportunities globally for all aspiring facilities directors.