Jan 15

Two Skills to Future-proof Your Facility Management Career

The current and future job market

Facility management is no longer defined solely by operational execution. As buildings become more complex and expectations around performance increase, facility managers are required to engage with a broader set of responsibilities that go beyond traditional maintenance and service delivery.

Two capability areas increasingly shape how facility management is practiced today: technology and sustainability. These are no longer optional specializations or supporting knowledge areas. They directly influence how facilities operate, how assets perform over time, and how organizations meet regulatory, environmental, and user expectations.

This article examines technology and sustainability as two essential skills for modern facility management professionals, and explains why both are central to remaining relevant and effective in the built environment.

The Changing Context of Facility Management

Over the past decade, the role of facility management has expanded significantly. Several factors have contributed to this shift, including:
  • The widespread adoption of smart building technologies
  • Increased regulatory and reporting requirements related to sustainability
  • Greater focus on lifecycle performance and asset value
  • Higher expectations around user experience, safety, and well-being

Facility managers today operate at the intersection of technical systems, environmental responsibility, and organizational outcomes. This shift has elevated the importance of skills that enable informed decision-making rather than purely reactive execution.
This shift toward integrated performance is closely linked to the growing focus on human outcomes in the built environment.

The demand for sustainability skills in facility management

Sustainability has moved from a strategic ambition to an operational requirement within the built environment. Developers, owners, and operators are increasingly expected to demonstrate measurable environmental performance and long-term resilience.
A clear example of this shift can be seen in organizations such as ALDAR, which has positioned sustainability at the core of its business strategy. Through initiatives such as its Net Zero commitments, ALDAR has outlined clear targets for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, and Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 2050. These commitments directly influence how facilities are designed, operated, and managed.

Such approaches are not isolated cases. Across real estate development, infrastructure, and facility management, sustainability requirements are shaping operational priorities at local, regional, and global levels. Energy performance, environmental reporting, and occupant well-being are increasingly integrated into daily FM responsibilities.

For facility management professionals, this shift signals where the market is heading. Sustainability skills are no longer limited to environmental specialists; they are becoming essential capabilities for professionals involved in operating and managing built assets. A clear example of this shift is the increased demand on green skills and sustainability credentials like the LEED Green Associate credential.

Technology as a Core Facility Management Capability

Similar to the growing demand for sustainability, a parallel shift is taking place toward technology across the built environment. Digital systems are no longer limited to IT departments; they have become central to how organizations operate, scale, and meet performance objectives.
In the real estate and facilities sector, technology is increasingly used to support operational efficiency, user experience, and long-term asset performance. Leading developers and asset owners are investing in smart systems not as experimental initiatives, but as core components of their business models.
For example, major real estate developers such as EMAAR have publicly emphasized the use of emerging technologies to enhance customer experience, improve operational performance, and enable smarter, healthier buildings. These initiatives reflect a broader industry direction where innovation is closely linked to both operational excellence and sustainability outcomes.

Beyond individual organizations, this trend is evident across the UAE and the wider region. Facility management companies and asset owners are integrating digital platforms, automation, and data-driven tools as part of standard operating models rather than optional enhancements.

For facility management professionals, this shift requires more than basic digital literacy. Understanding how technology supports decision-making, productivity, and sustainability objectives has become a practical requirement rather than a technical specialization.

Common Capability Gaps in Practice

Despite the growing importance of these skill areas, many facility management professionals face challenges such as:
  • Limited exposure to digital tools beyond basic system operation
  • Sustainability knowledge that is theoretical rather than applied
  • Difficulty interpreting performance data and translating it into action
  • Dependence on external consultants without internal capability development

Addressing these gaps requires deliberate capability building, supported by structured learning and real-world application.

Staying Relevant in a Changing Built Environment

The built environment continues to evolve in response to technological advancement, environmental pressures, and changing user expectations. Facility management professionals who remain relevant are those who actively develop capabilities aligned with these shifts.

Technology and sustainability are not trends that will fade. They represent structural changes in how facilities are operated and evaluated. Professionals who engage with these areas are better positioned to adapt as buildings, regulations, and performance expectations continue to change.

The Built Environment Institute Perspective

From the perspective of the Built Environment Institute, professional relevance in facility management is closely linked to the ability to understand and integrate technology and sustainability in practical, real-world contexts.

The Institute focuses on these capability areas as part of a broader commitment to supporting professionals in staying relevant and competitive within the built environment sector. Emphasis is placed on practical understanding of digital systems, sustainability principles, and their application across different asset types and operating environments.

This perspective reflects a wider industry shift toward facility management that balances technical performance, environmental responsibility, and long-term asset outcomes.

Facility management is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Technology enables smarter operations, while sustainability ensures responsible and resilient use of built assets.

Together, these two skill areas define modern facility management practice. Professionals who develop a practical understanding of both are better equipped to contribute to long-term building performance and to remain relevant within an increasingly complex built environment.