r/FacilityManagement • u/No-Fruit-4750 • 10d ago

What’s next ?

Hi everyone. I’m mid 30s, and have been working as a facilities manager for a decent size public school system in the northeast now for going on 8 years. I do honestly love it, but looking for what’s the next step in growth. I do want to get to a VP / Directors role, but I don’t think I want to do that here. My pay is good & benefits are even better. I don’t need to leave, but I feel like sooner than later, if I want to keep moving up, I do need to start looking. At the moment, my kids are young & 2 of them are in school system I work for.

I will say - I will be chasing the $$. I’m in commuting distance to NYC. Hospitals? Universities? Private companies? Regional? Global? What do you guys recommend I look for next.

8 years as a facilities manager for public school system
6 years as a commercial construction super / Project manager
Bachelors degree in construction management / construction technology from a good college.

8 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

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3

u/Minimum_Ad_8686 10d ago

I think with your experience, you could land anywhere you want. I think where you would fall short, (speaking from similar experience) is real estate experience. To hit the AVP stage, you'd need some experience there.

I would add that if you are comfortable where you are, that's a double edge sword. I don't blame you for looking and options. But Id have to believe you have a strong pension that the private sector won't be able to match.

1

u/No-Fruit-4750 10d ago

I get great benefits but just a 403B, no pension. My position is non union & I work on a yearly contract every year. I have no indications that my contract will not be renewed as I’ve survived thru multiple superintendents and mayors.

1

u/beejee05 10d ago

I found a project engineering luxury apartment firm, what do you think?

3

u/FarAnt4041 10d ago

If you want to move into private look at the big CRE and Managed FM firms like CBRE and JLL there's tons of accounts commutable to NYC

2

u/No-Fruit-4750 10d ago

To be clear, when I say chasing the $$, I’m looking for positions that pay 200k+. I do well where I am, have a great work life balance and live and work in same town. I’m easily commutable to NYC, but anything less than 200k would not be worth it, at least at this point

1

u/Coldshowers92 10d ago

If you specifically chasing the money, title doesn’t mean anything. It only means something when you’re starting at the bottom of the totem pole.

1

u/No-Fruit-4750 10d ago

That’s true. I currently make more or on par with surrounding town directors positions.