A great Facilities Director plans the estate the organisation will need, speaks the language of the board, leads through capable teams, stays calm in a crisis and manages suppliers as both partners and risks. Technical knowledge gets people into the role; judgement and influence make them great in it. Salaries typically run from £90,000 to £150,000+.
The Facilities Director leads the strategy, budgets and people behind an organisation's buildings and workplace services. In large or complex estates it is a board-facing role, accountable for property that is critical to how the business operates and what it costs to run. This guide sets out what the role involves, the five qualities that separate the best from the rest, what Facilities Directors earn and how to become one.
What the guide covers
- What a Facilities Director does and how it differs from Head of Facilities and COO
- The five qualities (thinking in years, speaking the language of the board, leading through other people, staying calm under pressure, managing suppliers), each with what it looks like in practice and a question to test it
- What Facilities Directors earn
- How to become a Facilities Director, with a self-assessment
- What employers should put in the brief
- Interview questions that reveal the difference
- Common mistakes when hiring
- The first 90 days
- Frequently asked questions and key takeaways
Related reading
- Facilities Director Salary UK
- Head of Facilities: Role, Responsibilities and Salary
- How to Hire a Facilities Manager
- Retained vs Contingent Recruitment in FM
Who this resource is for
Employers planning a Facilities Director appointment, and Facilities and Estates professionals working towards a director role.
Talk to Maxwell Stephens
If you are working towards a Facilities Director role, browse our current Facilities Management vacancies, upload your CV or join our mailing list. Employers planning a Facilities Director appointment can contact Maxwell Stephens or call 0207 118 4848.
For help defining and filling the role, explore our Facilities Director recruitment service.