At a facility, a maintenance director performs various repairs and preventive maintenance tasks. He or she is in charge of organizing and supervising repair crews to ensure that jobs are completed safely and efficiently. A maintenance director might work in a large office building, an apartment complex, an industrial factory, a school, or any other location where repairs are required frequently. A director must have expert knowledge of many aspects of construction and repair in order to provide the best possible services.
Maintenance directors are in charge of determining what types of repairs are required and assigning specific tasks to assistant workers. For example, when an apartment building is being renovated, the maintenance director will walk through the facility and note areas that require painting, structural repairs, or plumbing work. He or she obtains the necessary supplies and tools, as well as determining which employees are best suited for each task. The director communicates expectations to employees and monitors their progress. The director will tour the building once more after the renovations are completed to ensure that the quality of the work is up to par.
Some maintenance directors specialize in specific tasks, such as landscaping or repairing specific types of industrial machinery. Most professionals, on the other hand, have a diverse set of abilities. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, electrical circuits, plumbing, and construction-related work are all familiar to them. To assist workers in solving difficult problems and performing jobs as efficiently as possible, a director must have a thorough understanding of the technical aspects of maintenance.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential for a maintenance director. In addition to giving workers instructions, the director meets with building owners on a regular basis to set budgets and explain completed work. To negotiate deals and obtain necessary materials, he or she contacts equipment suppliers in person, over the phone, and via e-mail. When working in public spaces, directors come into contact with apartment residents and business customers.
Although a certificate from a community college or technical school program can greatly improve a person’s chances of finding work, there are no strict educational requirements to become a maintenance director. Individuals can prepare for a wide range of tasks by enrolling in painting, plumbing, electrical repair, and construction training programs. To gain practical experience and master their trades, most people begin their careers as apprentices or assistants in various maintenance positions. Before performing independent repairs on electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems, many countries require new workers to pass licensing exams. An individual with several years of experience and a professional license can work as a maintenance director in a variety of settings.