Facilities Manager

JLL; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

JLL is seeking an experienced Facilities Manager to oversee Class A commercial office operations for a premier financial institution in Chicago. You will lead daily operations, ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and exceptional workplace experiences while delivering strong financial performance.

This role requires managing building systems (HVAC, electrical, life safety), coordinating multiple vendors, and guiding cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management or related field or 8–10+ years of facilities management experience.
• Experience managing Class A commercial office spaces for financial institutions or similar.
• Strong budgets, financial reporting, and vendor management experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of Class A office spaces.
• Manage preventive and corrective maintenance programs.
• Oversee building systems including HVAC, electrical, life safety, and lighting.
• Coordinate after-hours work and business continuity planning.
• Provide executive-level reporting on KPIs, budgets, projects, and risks.
• Lead and develop facilities personnel and vendor teams.

Skills

Financial acumen

Stakeholder management

Vendor management

Leadership

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Executive communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Business, Real Estate, or related field

Tools

CMMS

IWMS

Excel

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, client-focused Facilities Manager to oversee Class A commercial office operations supporting a premier financial institution. This individual will be responsible for delivering exceptional workplace experiences while ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, financial performance, and best-in-class service delivery.

The ideal candidate has experience managing facilities within investment banking, financial services, or other mission-critical corporate environments where operational reliability, white-glove service, and attention to detail are paramount. This role requires a highly organized leader with strong financial acumen, excellent stakeholder management skills, and the ability to lead multiple vendors and cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of a Class A commercial office spaces.
• Ensure the spaces operate safely, efficiently, and in accordance with client expectations and contractual obligations.
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs and ensure completion of corrective maintenance activities.
• Partner with ENG team to assist with managing systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety, vertical transportation, lighting, and critical infrastructure.
• Coordinate after-hours work, user requests, shutdowns, emergency management and business continuity planning.
• Support operational readiness for executive events, client meetings, and high-profile functions.

Financial Management

• Manage operating budgets, forecasts, accruals, and variance reporting.
• Review and approve invoices while ensuring compliance with procurement policies.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, operational efficiencies, and process improvements.
• Prepare business cases and ROI analyses for capital improvements and operational initiatives.
• Track capital projects and operating expenses to ensure financial targets are achieved.
• Partner with sourcing and procurement teams during RFPs and contract negotiations.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.
• Manage vendor compliance documentation, insurance requirements, permits, and safety certifications.
• Coordinate regulatory inspections and corrective actions.
• Support emergency preparedness, business continuity, life safety drills, and incident management.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and operational records.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for client stakeholders.
• Build trusted relationships through proactive communication and exceptional service delivery.
• Provide executive-level reporting on operational performance, KPIs, financials, projects, and risks.
• Anticipate client needs and recommend innovative workplace solutions.
• Ensure a hospitality-driven workplace experience that exceeds client expectations.

Vendor Management

Lead and manage multiple integrated service providers including, but not limited to:

• Janitorial
• Landscaping
• Pest Control
• Vertical Transportation
• Fire Life Safety
• Specialty Contractors
• Conduct regular vendor performance reviews and KPI assessments.
• Ensure all vendors meet contractual service levels and safety expectations.

Leadership

• Lead and develop facilities personnel and vendor teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer service.
• Coach team members through performance management and professional development.
• Promote operational excellence through standardization and best practices.

Hospitality & Workplace Experience

• Champion a hospitality-first mindset across all facility operations.
• Ensure executive spaces, conference centers, pantries, common areas, and amenity spaces consistently reflect the highest standards.
• Coordinate workplace services to support an exceptional employee and visitor experience.
• Partner with Workplace Experience, Events, Security, Engineering, and Food Services teams to deliver seamless operations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Business, Real Estate, or related field or the equivalent of 8-10+ years of Facilities Management experience
• Experience supporting financial institutions, investment banks, hedge funds, law firms, or other high-profile corporate environments strongly preferred
• Experience managing Class A commercial office spaces
• Strong understanding of building operations and engineering systems
• Proven experience managing operating budgets and financial reporting
• Experience managing capital improvement projects
• Strong knowledge of preventive maintenance programs
• Demonstrated success managing multiple vendors and service contracts
• Experience working within highly regulated and compliance-driven environments
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, CMMS platforms, and financial management systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Chicago commercial real estate experience
• IFMA, BOMI, FMP, CFM, or RPA designation
• OSHA 30 certification
• Knowledge of Local Laws and building compliance requirements
• Experience with IWMS/CMMS platforms

Core Competencies

• Financial Acumen
• Client Relationship Management
• Leadership & Team Development
• Hospitality Mindset
• Operational Excellence
• Regulatory Compliance
• Vendor Performance Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Executive Communication
• Problem Solving
• Project Management
• Risk Management
• Process Improvement
• Business Continuity Planning
• Customer Experience

Success Measures

The successful Facilities Manager will consistently:

• Deliver exceptional client satisfaction and workplace experiences.
• Maintain 100% regulatory and contractual compliance.
• Meet budget and forecasting targets while identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Achieve operational KPIs for preventive maintenance, work order completion, and service delivery.
• Build strong partnerships with clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the facility operates with the reliability, professionalism, and attention to detail expected within a premier financial institution.