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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Technical Facility Executive

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

Facilities ManagementOperationsEngineeringReal Estate

🎯 Role Definition

The Technical Facility Executive is a critical hands-on role responsible for the operational integrity and efficiency of a facility's core infrastructure. This position serves as the primary technical point of contact, overseeing the health and performance of all mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and life safety systems. The executive ensures that the physical environment is safe, compliant, and fully operational, managing both preventative maintenance programs and reactive repair work. This individual bridges the gap between strategic facility goals and day-to-day tactical execution, managing vendors, coordinating projects, and ensuring all technical operations align with organizational standards and regulatory requirements.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Facilities Coordinator
  • Senior Maintenance Technician
  • Junior Building Engineer

Advancement To:

  • Assistant Facility Manager / Facility Manager
  • Technical Facilities Manager
  • Regional Facilities Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Project Manager (Construction/Fit-out)
  • Health & Safety (EHS) Manager
  • Sourcing/Procurement Manager (Technical Services)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Spearhead the implementation and management of a comprehensive preventive maintenance (PM) schedule for all critical building systems, including HVAC, electrical switchgear, generators, UPS systems, plumbing, and fire suppression systems.
  • Act as the first point of contact for all technical facility-related breakdowns, diagnosing faults, and coordinating swift and effective resolutions with in-house teams or external vendors to minimize downtime.
  • Manage and oversee the performance of third-party vendors and contractors for specialized technical services, ensuring adherence to service level agreements (SLAs), quality standards, and safety protocols.
  • Conduct regular, thorough inspections of the facility's physical plant and infrastructure to proactively identify potential issues, safety hazards, and opportunities for operational improvement.
  • Maintain meticulous and up-to-date records of all maintenance activities, equipment warranties, service contracts, and incident reports using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) or similar platform.
  • Develop and manage the operational budget for technical maintenance, repairs, and vendor services, tracking expenditures and providing regular financial reports to facility leadership.
  • Ensure strict compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including building codes, fire safety standards (NFPA), and environmental and occupational health and safety (EHS/OSHA) guidelines.
  • Lead the facility's response to emergencies such as power outages, floods, or system failures, executing established emergency action plans to ensure personnel safety and business continuity.
  • Coordinate and supervise minor projects, including office reconfigurations, equipment installations, and system upgrades, from initial planning through to final commissioning.
  • Monitor and analyze the performance of the Building Management System (BMS/BAS), making adjustments to optimize energy consumption, occupant comfort, and system efficiency.
  • Manage the procurement of necessary spare parts, tools, and equipment, maintaining an organized inventory to support timely repairs and maintenance activities.
  • Prepare detailed technical reports and presentations for management, summarizing facility performance, ongoing projects, incident analyses, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Develop and review Scopes of Work (SOW) and Requests for Proposals (RFP) for technical service contracts, participating in the selection and onboarding of new vendors.
  • Champion energy management and sustainability initiatives within the facility, identifying and implementing projects that reduce utility consumption and environmental impact.
  • Provide technical guidance and support to non-technical staff and other departments regarding facility operations and building systems.
  • Coordinate and oversee all statutory inspections and testing of critical equipment, such as fire alarm systems, elevators, and pressure vessels, ensuring all certifications are current.
  • Manage the facility's access control, CCTV, and other physical security systems, ensuring they are fully functional and properly maintained.
  • Play a key role in space planning and management, ensuring that all moves, adds, and changes (MAC) are executed with minimal disruption to technical infrastructure.
  • Train and mentor junior facilities staff or technicians, fostering a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
  • Review and approve contractor work permits, method statements, and risk assessments (RAMS) to ensure all work is performed safely and to the required standards.
  • Liaise with landlords and property management representatives on building-wide issues, service interruptions, and shared infrastructure maintenance.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in the development of long-term capital expenditure (CapEx) plans by providing data and recommendations on equipment lifecycle and replacement needs.
  • Support business continuity and disaster recovery planning by providing critical input on facility-related risks and mitigation strategies.
  • Contribute to the organization's sustainability goals by tracking utility data and participating in green building certification efforts (e.g., LEED, BREEAM).
  • Participate in cross-functional project teams to provide facilities-related input for new business initiatives or site expansions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • MEP Systems Expertise: In-depth, practical knowledge of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems, including commercial HVAC units, electrical distribution, backup generators, UPS, and plumbing infrastructure.
  • Building Management Systems (BMS): Proficiency in operating and interpreting data from Building Management/Automation Systems (e.g., Siemens, Johnson Controls, Schneider Electric) to control and optimize building environments.
  • CMMS Proficiency: Hands-on experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) or Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) software for work order management, asset tracking, and reporting.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Strong understanding of relevant health and safety regulations (OSHA/EHS), fire codes (NFPA), and local building codes.
  • Vendor & Contract Management: Skill in writing scopes of work, evaluating bids, and managing contractor performance against Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
  • Project Coordination: Ability to manage small-to-medium-sized technical projects, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and supervising on-site work.
  • Financial Acumen: Experience in developing and managing operational budgets, tracking expenses, and understanding financial reporting for facility operations.
  • Root Cause Analysis: Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills to effectively identify the root cause of technical failures and implement lasting solutions.
  • Technical Documentation: Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and equipment manuals.
  • Energy Management: Knowledge of energy conservation principles and experience with initiatives aimed at reducing utility consumption.
  • Emergency Response Planning: Familiarity with developing and executing emergency procedures for technical system failures.

Soft Skills

  • Problem-Solving: Proactive and resourceful in identifying issues and implementing effective, timely solutions under pressure.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to clearly articulate technical issues to non-technical stakeholders, vendors, and management.
  • Stakeholder Management: Ability to build strong, professional relationships with internal clients, external vendors, and property management.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough in conducting inspections, managing documentation, and overseeing contractor work.
  • Time Management & Prioritization: Proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment, from urgent repairs to long-term projects.
  • Leadership & Influence: Capable of directing contractors and influencing internal teams to adhere to safety and operational standards without direct authority.
  • Adaptability: Flexible and able to respond effectively to unexpected challenges and changing operational needs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • An Associate's Degree, technical diploma, or trade certification in a relevant discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • A Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field of study is highly advantageous.
  • Professional certifications such as FMP (Facility Management Professional) or CFM (Certified Facility Manager) are a strong plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
  • Facilities Management
  • Building Services Engineering
  • Construction Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-7 years of progressive, hands-on experience in technical facilities maintenance, building engineering, or a closely related role.

Preferred:

  • Demonstrable experience within a corporate office, data center, manufacturing, life sciences, or other critical environment is highly desirable. Experience managing a facility of over 100,000 sq. ft. and supervising technical service vendors is preferred.
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