Job Description Template: Facility Manager
This template helps Swiss employers write a clear Facility Manager job ad. It covers the role's scope—managing buildings, maintenance, safety, and vendor relationships—lists must-have and nice-to-have skills, and shows how to structure your offer. Adjust Pensum, location (canton/city), and language requirements to fit your SME.
A Facility Manager keeps your workspace running smoothly: managing maintenance, safety compliance, vendor contracts, and day-to-day operations. Use this template to attract candidates who combine technical know-how with organizational skills.
Remember to state the Pensum (e.g. 80–100%), your exact canton and city, and whether German, French, or Italian fluency is required. Swiss candidates expect clarity on location and working hours from the outset.
The Role: What a Facility Manager Does
Your Facility Manager is responsible for keeping your building and workplace infrastructure secure, compliant, and fit for purpose. They oversee preventive and reactive maintenance, coordinate with contractors, and ensure health-and-safety standards are met.
This role sits at the intersection of technical oversight and vendor management. It requires someone comfortable with checklists and regulations, but also with budgeting and staff coordination.
- Manage day-to-day maintenance (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, cleaning contracts)
- Monitor building safety, emergency systems, and regulatory compliance
- Budget and approve maintenance spending; track vendor performance
- Respond to urgent repairs and coordinate with external contractors
- Maintain documentation (service logs, inspections, insurance records)
- Support office moves, renovations, or space reconfiguration as needed
Must-Have Requirements
Look for candidates with proven facility or building-operations experience. They need hands-on familiarity with maintenance systems and confident vendor management.
Fluency in the local language (German in Zurich, French in Geneva, Italian in Ticino, etc.) is essential for coordinating with local contractors and authorities. Include this requirement explicitly.
- 3+ years' direct facility-management or building-operations experience
- Working knowledge of building systems (heating, ventilation, electrical, plumbing)
- Vendor and budget management; comfort with spreadsheets and tracking tools
- Fluency in [German/French/Italian] (name the language your region uses)
- Reliable, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize under pressure
- Valid driving license (for site visits and contractor meetings)
Nice-to-Have Requirements and What to Offer
Candidates with FM certifications (GEFMA, SIA, or equivalent) stand out, as do those with experience in your industry. Multilingual skills are a bonus in border regions.
In your offer, be concrete: state Pensum (%), gross salary or salary band in CHF, and any benefits. Swiss candidates expect a 13th-month bonus, pension contributions, and clear vacation days. If on-call duties apply, mention that and any allowance.
- FM certification (GEFMA, SIA, or cantonal equivalent); technical diplomas a plus
- Experience in your industry (manufacturing, healthcare, education, hospitality, etc.)
- Multilingual ability (German + French, or German + Italian) for larger regions
- Pensum: [80% / 100% / other]
- Salary: CHF [amount or band] gross per annum; 13th-month bonus included
- Pension contributions, vacation [20–25 days standard], health insurance support, on-call allowance if applicable
Frequently asked questions
- Should I name the exact canton and city?
- Yes. Swiss job seekers filter by location first. Write 'Facility Manager, Zurich (ZH)' or 'Facility Manager, Geneva (GE)' in your headline, then repeat the specific address or region in the body. This reduces irrelevant applications.
- What if the role requires on-call or emergency response?
- State it clearly: 'On-call availability: [day/evening/weekends]; allowance CHF [amount] per shift' or similar. Swiss candidates expect transparent terms on irregular hours and compensation before they apply.
- Do I need to mention a formal employment contract or trial period?
- You may mention standard terms (e.g. 'Standard probation period: 3 months per Swiss employment law'), but detailed contract terms belong in your employment agreement, not the ad. Keep the ad focused on the role and offer.
General information for Swiss employers, not legal advice. Have a lawyer confirm anything with legal consequences.