A director of facilities is in charge of the upkeep and smooth operation of an organization’s buildings. This position is classified as administrative in nature. This director is in charge of overseeing any internal company functions that have a direct impact on how a building is used for business purposes.
A director of facilities’ main responsibility is to oversee the upkeep of a physical building that employees use. She may be in charge of several different geographical locations in many cases. Landscaping, machine and equipment repair, physical organization of employee work spaces, building construction, and supplies are all examples of building maintenance.
This position is sometimes referred to as an office manager in small businesses, and it may or may not have direct reports. A facilities director often supervises a fairly large staff, which may include human resources personnel, building repairmen, administrative positions, mail room staff, and storage and document handlers in larger companies where a director is needed to supervise larger operations. A director may also be responsible for hiring and supervising outside contractors for appliance repair and supply fulfillment. Some companies hire a director with industry-specific expertise. This allows the director to handle on-site equipment repair and maintenance, as well as assist specific employees with job duties related to the facility’s operation.
A director of facilities is typically in charge of organizing the offices, furniture, and cubicles that employees use. A director may be in charge of purchasing furniture and arranging for its delivery to a specific location. Being able to efficiently utilize space and plan for employee work space relocation is an important aspect of this job. A facilities director may be required to provide input to management and assist in the planning of the construction of a building or office space on occasion.
The director of facilities is usually in charge of the budget for specific facility departments. She is responsible for estimating, planning, and calculating the budget for each department under her control. Heating and cooling, equipment purchases, computer updating and maintenance, building repair and service payments, employee salaries, and office supply expenditures are all examples of operational costs.
Communication and evaluation of an organization’s adherence to governmental safety requirements is another important aspect of facilities maintenance. While a director may hire someone to deal with safety regulations, she is ultimately responsible for the organization’s compliance. A director of facilities may be responsible for submitting accident reports, developing emergency evacuation procedures, and training employees on safety precautions at some businesses.