A maintenance director oversees repair crews and performs various repair jobs and preventive maintenance tasks at a facility. They need specialist knowledge of construction and repair and excellent communication skills. No strict educational requirements are needed, but experience and training programs can improve chances of finding work.
A director of maintenance performs various repair jobs and preventive maintenance tasks at a facility. He or she organizes and supervises repair crews to ensure jobs are performed safely and efficiently. A maintenance director may work in a large office building, apartment complex, industrial factory, school, or any other location where frequent repair work is needed. To provide the best possible services, a director needs to have specialist knowledge of many aspects of construction and repair.
Maintenance directors are primarily responsible for identifying what types of repairs need to be performed and delegating specific tasks to assistant workers. When an apartment building is being renovated, for example, the director of maintenance walks through the facility and looks for areas that need painting, structural repairs, or plumbing. He or she acquires the appropriate supplies and tools and decides which workers are best suited for each task. The director informs workers of expectations and oversees their progress. At the end of the renovations, the director will visit the building again and check the quality of the work.
Some maintenance directors specialize in very specific jobs, such as landscaping or repairs to a certain type of industrial machinery. Most professionals, however, have a wide range of skills. They are familiar with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, electrical circuits, plumbing, and construction-related work. A director needs to understand the detailed technical aspects of maintenance in order to help workers solve difficult problems and perform jobs as efficiently as possible.
It is important for a maintenance director to possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. In addition to providing instructions to workers, the director often talks with building owners to set budgets and explain the work being done. He or she contacts equipment suppliers in person, by phone, and by email to negotiate deals and purchase necessary materials. Directors also encounter apartment dwellers and commercial clients when working in public spaces.
There are no strict educational requirements to become a director of maintenance, although earning a certificate from a community college or technical school program can greatly improve a person’s chances of finding work. Painting, plumbing, electrical repair, and construction training programs can prepare individuals for the wide variety of tasks they may be asked to complete. Most people start their careers as apprentices or assistants in various maintenance positions to gain hands-on experience and master their business. Many countries require new employees to pass licensing exams before they can independently perform repairs to electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems. With several years of experience and a professional license, an individual can pursue maintenance director jobs in a variety of settings.
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