Beverly Hawkins

Facility management has long been a male-dominated industry. While that reality still exists, women are becoming an increasingly visible and influential presence in the workforce, and their impact on the future of facilities is accelerating. Why choose a career in facilities? When seeking a dream job, facility management is probably not the industry that comes to mind for most women. It is rarely highlighted in career days or spotlighted in conversations about leadership and innovation. Yet the facilities industry offers something that many industries struggle to guarantee: stability. Buildings will always need to be cleaned. Systems will always need to be installed, maintained, and repaired. Critical infrastructure must be monitored. Grounds must be maintained. Preventive maintenance must be performed. Compliance standards must be upheld. In an era of automation and artificial intelligence, technology will certainly play a key role in the industry’s evolution, but behind the technology, facility professionals will always be needed. For women seeking meaningful work with tangible impact, facility management offers more than stability. It offers leadership pathways, technical skill development, operational strategy, and the chance to directly influence how environments support the people who use them. It is an industry grounded in problem-solving and resilience. One common misconception about facility management is that it is limited to technical fieldwork. Roles in a facilities career include staff and project management, operations, strategy, vendor oversight, budgeting, training, compliance, communications, and more. This breadth is one of the industry’s greatest strengths, and one of its greatest opportunities for women. Ponder the realities of representation In a traditionally male-dominated industry, women can often feel out of place stepping into rooms. Women encounter sometimes subtle, but very real barriers to entry: Assumptions that they are in an administrative role. Questions about their technical expertise. Limited access to high-visibility opportunities. These experiences can be discouraging, but they also highlight an important truth: Performance is one of the quickest ways to change perception. Earning a seat at the table often requires visible, consistent performance; follow-through; and resilience. Women in facility management—and women in any male-dominated industry—must be willing to work hard, consistently. When they deliver projects successfully, metrics improve, operations stabilize, and their leadership becomes undeniable. From there, results will speak for themselves. Over time, the demonstrated work ethic of one woman in a facility managementcareer earns her more than respect. It expands expectations of what leadership in facilities looks like and widens the path for others to follow in her footsteps. Mentorship matters Behind many women who have built lasting careers in facility management are mentors who coached them early in their careers, exposing them to both the operational and strategic sides of the business. Mentorship in this industry is more than casual guidance; it is often the bridge between becoming capable and others seeing you as capable. When someone opens the door to field experience, includes a new leader in high-level conversations, or explains the “why” behind decisions, it accelerates growth in ways that formal training alone cannot. For women in particular, mentorship can help navigate the unspoken dynamics of a traditionally male-dominated industry. Having someone who advocates for your readiness, encourages you to take on stretch assignments, or provides honest feedback on areas for improvement can transform your career from reactive to intentional. Mentorship should not stop at delivering guidance. As more women establish themselves in facility leadership, their responsibilities expand. Becoming a mentor and investing in the women who are coming next in the industry is just as critical as having someone invest in your own development. Advocacy plays a central role in transforming the perceptions of women in facility management. Change does not happen through individual success stories alone. It happens when leaders actively recommend women for promotions, include them in strategic meetings, and create access to opportunities that build visibility. Words of advice For women exploring a career in facilities, success begins with intentional action: Clarify your direction. A career in facilities offers many pathways, including operations, training, and administrative leadership. Identifying an initial direction helps reduce overwhelm. Ask yourself what you are passionate about. Ask questions consistently. Facility management requires continuous learning. No one knows everything. Curiosity builds competence. Don’t hesitate to speak up and learn something new. Leverage and grow your existing strengths. Communication, organization, financial acumen, and leadership skills are highly transferable. Don’t underestimate the value of a full business skillset. Expect growth to require effort. Advancement requires persistence, mobility, and a willingness to take on new challenges. Work hard, lead strong, and be patient. Most importantly, avoid self-imposed limits. Facility management is a global industry. It supports nearly every other industry that exists. It offers opportunities to travel, to lead, to innovate, and to influence operations. For women looking to grow in the facilities industry, the sky is the limit. Redefine the legacy of women Facility professionals may operate behind the scenes, but their impact is visible everywhere. As more women step confidently into leadership roles, the industry becomes more resilient, more innovative, and better prepared for the challenges ahead. Don’t define the legacy of women in facilities solely by the breaking of barriers. Their true legacy lies in their work to build strong programs, develop future leaders, stabilize operations, and strengthen the workforce pipeline. Let the results of women’s contributions to facility management speak for themselves. Join ISSA’s Hygieia Network Named after the Greek goddess of cleaning and hygiene, the ISSA Hygieia Network provides education, mentoring, networking, and support programs to help women succeed in the cleaning and facility management industry. Learn more at hygieianetwork.org.

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Beverly Hawkins

Regional Director of Operations, SSC Services for Education

Articles by Beverly Hawkins

Open the Door to a Facility Management Career

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