The Rise of Women in Facility Management

Facility management has long been considered a male-dominated field. It hasn’t traditionally attracted many women, in part because it operated outside the mainstream career spotlight, and in part due to the perception that it requires long hours, physical presence, or skills seen as better suited to men. As a result, men have largely outnumbered women in these roles, especially at senior levels.

Several barriers contributed to this gap: rigid work structures, limited support for caregiving responsibilities, male-centric workplace norms, and a lack of mentorship. But this imbalance is steadily changing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, over 25% of the facility management workforce is now made up of women. At entry levels, that figure is close to 50%. As awareness grows and the industry becomes more inclusive, more women are not only entering the field but also rising to leadership roles.

Why Inclusion Matters

This growing representation benefits more than just diversity numbers—it improves the entire industry. Diverse teams bring broader perspectives, making them better equipped to understand and serve a wide range of needs across workplaces. As Melanie Young, District Facility Manager at Sodexo, aptly put it:

If our FM teams aren’t diverse themselves, how can we ensure we are truly understanding and empathetic to increasingly diverse populations and their unique needs?

Women in facility management often bring strengths in communication, collaboration, and people-focused decision-making skills that are critical in maintaining safe, efficient, and employee-friendly work environments.

Women Thriving Across Roles

Women today are making an impact across various facility management roles—helpdesk, operations, sales, marketing, housekeeping, security, and leadership. Their emotional intelligence, problem-solving ability, and adaptability make them valuable in both frontline and strategic positions.

This shift is reshaping how the industry operates. With more women stepping into decision-making roles, workplace policies and service delivery models are becoming more balanced, inclusive, and responsive to real-world needs.

Shaping the Future Together

At TalbotFORCE, we celebrate the progress women have made in facility management—and recognize how far we still have to go. We’re committed to building gender-inclusive teams that reflect the workplaces we serve. By encouraging diversity and empowering women across roles and levels, we’re helping to change not just the face of the industry, but the quality of service it delivers.

This Women’s Day, and every day, we applaud the dedication, leadership, and impact of women in our workforce. Together, we’re working toward a future where talent—not gender—defines opportunity.