Gebäudemanager:in (w/m/d) - Job Opportunity at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

Münster, Germany
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: July 25, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 4,154 - 6,835 per month

Benefits

Comprehensive training programs and individual opportunities for personal and professional development, positioning employees ahead of industry standards
Extensive occupational health management system ensuring employee wellbeing and reducing healthcare costs
Optimal work-life balance conditions with family-conscious corporate policies that exceed typical German workplace standards
Flexible working arrangements including home office options, providing modern workplace flexibility
Full-time position that can also be performed near full-time, offering career flexibility without compromising benefits
30 days vacation plus all bridge days and guaranteed time off between Christmas and New Year, exceeding standard German vacation entitlements
Public service compensation and benefits package (TVöD-Bund) providing job security and structured career progression
Two-year initial contract with potential for long-term perspective, offering career stability in research environment

Key Responsibilities

Establish user and location-specific building management systems for new research facility, creating operational excellence standards that ensure institutional research continuity and compliance
Design and implement comprehensive inspection, maintenance and preservation programs for structural and technical systems, directly impacting facility uptime and research productivity
Conduct economic feasibility analyses and create investment decision frameworks for equipment, technology and building operations, influencing multi-million euro institutional investment strategies
Provide critical data, documentation and information systems for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational transparency
Develop and maintain essential building documentation including maintenance reports, risk assessments and operating instructions, creating institutional knowledge base for facility operations
Plan and execute third-party services for building management, optimizing operational costs while maintaining service quality standards
Create detailed service specifications and procurement requirements as preparation for vendor selection, directly impacting institutional procurement efficiency
Monitor and control external services while conducting technical invoice reviews, ensuring cost control and service quality in facility operations
Optimize building operations from energy, economic and organizational perspectives, contributing to institutional sustainability goals and operational excellence
Supervise ongoing building operations and manage emergency response systems, ensuring 24/7 operational readiness for critical research infrastructure
Advise scientific building users on facility modifications and operational interactions, serving as strategic liaison between research needs and facility capabilities
Support institutional events and provide media technology services, enhancing institutional capacity for scientific collaboration and knowledge transfer

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Facility Management, Building Engineering, Supply Engineering, Electrical Engineering or comparable field

Experience

Multi-year professional experience in property or building management

Required Skills

Experience in operational management, testing and maintenance of technical building equipment Knowledge of occupational and operational safety regulations, standards and frameworks such as BetrSichV, TRBS and DGUV Knowledge in creating customer-oriented service and needs profiles Experience in managing and coordinating external service providers
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The German research and development sector is experiencing unprecedented growth in battery technology and energy storage systems, driven by the country's Energiewende initiative and the global transition to electric mobility. This creates sustained demand for specialized facility management professionals who understand the unique requirements of electrochemical research environments, including specialized ventilation systems, chemical storage protocols, and safety management for lithium-ion battery research facilities. Facility management in research institutions is evolving toward integrated smart building systems and sustainability optimization, particularly in Germany where energy efficiency regulations are becoming increasingly stringent. Research facilities require building managers who can balance complex technical requirements with cost optimization while maintaining the precise environmental controls necessary for sensitive scientific equipment and processes. The collaboration between research institutions and universities in Germany is intensifying, creating demand for facility managers who can coordinate complex multi-institutional partnerships while managing shared resources and ensuring compliance across different organizational structures and regulatory frameworks.

Salary Evaluation

The provided salary range of EUR 4,154 - 6,835 per month (approximately EUR 50,000 - 82,000 annually) aligns well with German public sector facility management positions, particularly for specialized research environments. This range reflects the TVöD-Bund pay scale groups 11-13 and is competitive for the Münster region, considering the specialized nature of battery research facility management and the premium associated with Helmholtz Association positions.

Role Significance

Typical team structure would involve direct coordination of 3-5 external service providers and contractors, with indirect influence over 10-15 maintenance and technical staff. The role likely reports to senior facilities or operations management while interfacing regularly with research staff, administrative personnel, and external vendors, positioning the role as a key coordinating function within the institutional hierarchy.
This is a substantial mid-level management position with significant operational responsibility for a new research facility. The role combines strategic planning responsibilities with hands-on operational management, indicating a position that bridges technical expertise with management accountability. The responsibility for establishing building management systems from inception suggests a role with considerable autonomy and impact on institutional operations.

Key Projects

Implementation of comprehensive building management systems for new battery research facilities, including specialized laboratory environments with controlled atmospheres and chemical storage areas Development of predictive maintenance programs for complex research equipment and building systems, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing research activities Energy optimization projects focusing on reducing operational costs while maintaining the precise environmental controls required for electrochemical research Emergency response and business continuity planning for research facilities handling potentially hazardous materials and expensive scientific equipment

Success Factors

Deep understanding of German building codes, safety regulations, and research facility requirements, particularly those related to chemical storage and battery research environments, as these directly impact the ability to maintain compliance and operational continuity Strong vendor management and negotiation skills to optimize service contracts while maintaining quality standards, as external service coordination represents a significant portion of operational responsibilities and budget impact Technical expertise in building systems combined with business acumen for investment planning and cost optimization, enabling effective balance between operational efficiency and research facility requirements Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to serve as liaison between scientific staff and facility operations, requiring ability to translate technical facility requirements into practical solutions for research needs

Market Demand

High demand exists for facility managers with research institution experience, particularly those familiar with specialized laboratory environments and energy research facilities. The combination of Germany's focus on battery technology development and the limited pool of professionals with both facility management expertise and scientific facility experience creates a favorable job market for qualified candidates.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Regulatory compliance expertise is absolutely essential as research facilities face complex and evolving safety requirements, particularly for battery research involving potentially hazardous materials. Failure to maintain compliance can result in research shutdown, making this knowledge critical for operational continuity and institutional reputation Vendor management and procurement skills are crucial for operational success as research facilities rely heavily on specialized external services and equipment. The ability to negotiate favorable contracts while maintaining service quality directly impacts both operational costs and research productivity, making these skills fundamental to role success Technical building systems knowledge is critical for maintaining the precise environmental controls required for battery research, where temperature, humidity, and atmospheric composition must be carefully controlled. Understanding of HVAC, electrical, and safety systems enables proactive maintenance and rapid problem resolution that prevents research disruption

Beneficial Skills

Project management certification and experience would enhance effectiveness in managing facility improvement projects and coordinating multiple stakeholders across the research institution partnership Energy management expertise and familiarity with renewable energy systems would be valuable given the facility's focus on energy storage research and Germany's emphasis on sustainability in public sector operations German language proficiency at business level would facilitate better communication with local vendors, regulatory authorities, and integration with the broader German research community Understanding of laboratory design principles and cleanroom management would provide additional value in supporting specialized research environments and potential facility expansions

Unique Aspects

This position offers the rare opportunity to establish building management systems for a brand-new battery research facility from the ground up, providing exceptional experience in greenfield facility development that is highly valuable in the specialized research facility management market
The role combines facility management with cutting-edge battery research support, offering exposure to emerging technologies and research methodologies that could position the professional at the forefront of energy storage industry developments
Working within the Helmholtz Association network provides access to Europe's largest scientific research community, offering unparalleled networking opportunities and potential for international collaboration and career development
The position bridges multiple prestigious academic institutions (WWU Münster and RWTH Aachen) while being part of a major research center, creating a unique professional environment that combines academic excellence with applied research focus

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing facility managers in research environments, with opportunities for advancement often tied to successful project completion and demonstrated cost savings or operational improvements. The specialized nature of research facility management can accelerate career progression due to limited competition and high demand for experienced professionals.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Facility Manager or Director of Operations for larger research complexes or multiple facility portfolios, leveraging experience in specialized research environments Project Manager for major research facility construction or renovation projects, utilizing expertise in research facility requirements and regulatory compliance Sustainability Manager or Energy Manager for research institutions, building on experience with energy optimization and environmental systems management Consultant specializing in research facility design and operations, serving multiple institutions and leveraging specialized knowledge of battery research facility requirements

Company Overview

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH is one of Germany's largest research centers and a member of the prestigious Helmholtz Association, focusing on energy systems, information technology, and bioeconomy research. The organization operates with approximately 7,500 employees across multiple locations and represents a cornerstone of German scientific research infrastructure, particularly in energy storage and battery technology development through partnerships with leading universities.

As a member of the Helmholtz Association, Forschungszentrum Jülich holds a premier position in European research, competing with institutions like CEA in France and CERN in Switzerland. The organization's focus on battery research and energy storage positions it at the forefront of critical technology development for Germany's energy transition, providing significant job security and career prestige for employees.
The Münster location represents a strategic expansion of Jülich's research capabilities through collaboration with Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster and RWTH Aachen, creating a research triangle that concentrates battery technology expertise. This regional presence offers employees access to broader academic networks and collaboration opportunities while benefiting from Münster's lower cost of living compared to major German metropolitan areas.
Research environments at Helmholtz institutions typically emphasize collaboration, intellectual rigor, and long-term thinking, with strong support for professional development and work-life balance. The organization's commitment to diversity and inclusion, combined with public sector employment benefits, creates a stable and supportive work environment that attracts professionals seeking meaningful work in advancing scientific knowledge and societal benefit.
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