Facilities Coordinator vs. Facilities Manager: What Are the Differences?

Facilities coordinators and facilities managers are responsible for ensuring that buildings and grounds are well-maintained and running smoothly. If you’re interested in a career in facility management, understanding the similarities and differences between these two positions can help you decide which one is right for you. In this article, we compare and contrast the job duties, responsibilities, and necessary skills of facilities coordinators and facilities managers.

What is a Facilities Coordinator?

Facilities Coordinators work in a variety of industries to manage the maintenance and operations of buildings and grounds. They develop and implement policies and procedures related to the care and use of facilities. Facilities Coordinators also develop and oversee budgets for their department or organization. They negotiate and manage contracts with vendors and service providers. In some cases, Facilities Coordinators may also be responsible for developing and managing safety and security programs.

What is a Facilities Manager?

Facilities Managers are responsible for ensuring that buildings and grounds are well-maintained, safe and comfortable for employees, customers and visitors. They develop and implement policies and procedures related to the use and care of facilities and equipment. Facilities Managers also oversee the work of maintenance staff and contracted service providers. They develop and manage budgets for their department and track spending. Facilities Managers typically work in office settings, but may also work in industrial, retail or other settings.

Facilities Coordinator vs. Facilities Manager

Here are the main differences between a facilities coordinator and a facilities manager.

Job Duties

Facilities coordinators typically have more varied job duties than facilities managers. While they both oversee the maintenance and repair of a building, facilities coordinators also manage the day-to-day operations. This can include things like scheduling employees, delegating tasks to them and providing customer service to people who visit the facility.

Facilities managers are more focused on the maintenance and repair aspects of their jobs. They may conduct walk-around inspections to identify areas that need improvement and communicate with other staff members about these improvements. Facilities managers may also work with vendors to ensure that equipment is properly repaired and that supplies are ordered and received in a timely manner.

Job Requirements

Facilities coordinators typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, although some employers may prefer candidates with an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field. Facilities managers usually need at least a bachelor’s degree, and some positions may require a master’s degree as well. Additionally, both facilities coordinators and facilities managers may need to have experience working in the facilities management field before being considered for a position.

Work Environment

Facilities coordinators typically work in office settings, where they may spend most of their time sitting at a desk. They also travel to different locations to ensure that the facilities are operating correctly and efficiently. Facilities coordinators often work full-time hours during regular business days.

Facilities managers usually work in more industrial environments, such as factories or warehouses. They may also work irregular hours when there is maintenance being performed on buildings. Facilities managers can also work overtime if necessary.

Skills

The Facilities Coordinator and Facilities Manager roles share some similarities in terms of the skills required for the job. Both positions require excellent organizational skills to manage the day-to-day operations of a facility, as well as strong communication skills to interact with employees, vendors and other stakeholders. They also both need to have a good understanding of building maintenance and be able to troubleshoot problems as they arise.

However, there are some key differences between the two roles. A Facilities Coordinator is typically more focused on the administrative side of things, such as managing schedules, coordinating events and handling customer service inquiries. A Facilities Manager, on the other hand, is responsible for more of the physical aspects of the facility, such as overseeing repairs and renovations, conducting safety inspections and ensuring that the facility meets all local code requirements.

Salary

The average salary for a facilities coordinator is $51,664 per year, while the average salary for a facilities manager is $76,074 per year. The salary for both positions may vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience the employee has.