Job demand on the rise

14 December 2011

There is a growing demand for experienced account directors and regional facilities managers amongst niche FM providers, according to the latest survey from Property recruitment company Judd Farris.

According to the research many organisations are turning to smaller niche facilities management providers in the search for better levels of customer care. This trend is fuelling a demand amongst SMEs for experienced account directors and regional facilities managers.

Summing up the key findings, the company claim: “With the continuing increase in the number of new instructions and re-tenders taking place the demand for property and asset management candidates shows no signs of slowing down. There is a trend amongst design and engineering practices to pull the planning function in house in an attempt to offer their clients an end to end service. This development is driving an increased demand for planning directors, senior associates and heads of planning.”

The company goes on to say: “Proposals for change of use to allow conversion of empty office space to residential without the need for planning applications is raising local authorities’ concerns over losing planning control. As a result of these changes over 70% of planners we surveyed recently believe that time management will be the most important attribute required by their employers.

“As the property industry continues to be the focus for merger and acquisition (M&A) activity, there is rising demand for change management capability as whole businesses, divisions and teams go through a restructuring process. As we would expect we are seeing an increase in the number of vacancies as these restructuring processes progress.”

The survey found that Permanent salaries were up 0.45% month-on-month (MOM), while permanent vacancies were down 0.3% to 21,887. The average salary for a Building surveyor was up 1.06% MOM to £37,528, and for a Mechanical engineer it was up 1.06% MOM to £35,972. Contractor rates were up 0.02% MOM, while contractor vacancies were down 0.8% MOM to 1489.