Course Overview
Take the next step in your facilities management career with this fully online IWFM Level 5 Diploma in Facilities Management. Designed for experienced professionals and aspiring leaders, the course equips you to manage complex FM challenges with confidence. Learn from senior industry experts through live webinars and real-world case studies, all while balancing your full-time role.
The IWFM Level 5 Diploma in Facilities Management is a comprehensive, industry-recognised qualification designed for professionals working at, or aspiring to, middle and senior management roles within the FM sector.
Throughout the course, you’ll gain the strategic knowledge and practical skills needed to manage complex, non-routine facilities management challenges. The curriculum focuses on leadership, operational strategy, project and risk management, sustainability, and financial control—key areas for anyone seeking to lead and innovate in today’s dynamic FM environment.
You’ll join a network of experienced professionals, building valuable industry connections while learning through live webinars, real-world case studies, and interactive sessions.
The programme is led by expert tutors with extensive industry experience, ensuring that your learning is grounded in current best practice and practical relevance.
As part of your journey, you’ll benefit from live case studies, webinars, and direct engagement with senior industry practitioners, bringing the realities of the profession into your learning experience.
Upon completion, you will receive the IWFM Level 5 Diploma in Facilities Management, equivalent to a level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications. Successful graduates of this diploma are eligible for advanced entry into Year 3 of the BSc (Hons) in Workplace & Facilities Management with Portobello Institute—an excellent pathway for those looking to further enhance their credentials and career prospects.
*IWFM Credits
The module enables you to analyse, implement, review and update the facilities management strategy based on an understanding of its relationship with organisational strategies and effectively communicate the facilities management strategy to a wide audience. Understanding approaches to developing a facilities management strategy, review, implementation and communication to various stakeholders are core elements of this module.
This module enables you to undertake an analytical overview of the scope and context of facilities management, including the impact of change, development and innovation on facilities management practices and to understand how the scope and extent of the facilities management industry has changed.
This module enables you to implement strategies for managing property portfolios, property costs and asset registers, influence building design and undertake property relocations in a facilities management context. Undertaking property relocations from planning though to selecting resources and finally analysing the outcome are also covered during this module.
This module enables you to review, develop and implement human resource management strategies from recruitment through to exit, in compliance with employment legislation. Managing and monitoring staff performance in a facilities management context together with recruiting, retention and exiting staff are all covered during this module.
This module enables you to develop a risk management policy, establish risk criteria and improve and review the risk management process and strategy. Disseminating a risk management policy and culture within the organisation is the role of senior FMs and is covered throughout this module.
This module enables a you to apply the principles of financial management and financial policies to facilities management.
Key responsibility of FMs working at a senior level include effectively managing budgets and cash flow, preparing financial cases and understanding sound financial policies.
This module enables you to apply the principles of procurement, contracts and contract management in various facilities management scenarios and evaluate decisions made. It enables you to use and manage different types of contracts, develop specifications and terms and conditions for the procurement of goods and services and manage costs.
Gerry Kelly
For over 40 years Gerry Kelly worked in both the private and public sectors.
During that time, he held the position of Chief Executive with a Semi State Organisation; Press Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Minister for Labour; Senior Director Roles in Public Relations, Human Resources, Facilities Management, Customer Service, Corporate and Social Responsibility and Emotional Intelligence in State and Semi State Bodies.
Prior to working in the public sector, he worked in the printing industry where he introduced the first computer setting facility to the Commercial Printing Sector in Ireland. He was also Ireland’s Graphic Designer of the Year.
Working with Portobello Institute for the past 7 years he is Programme Lead for the Workplace and Facilities Management BSc, PGC and MSc Programmes. He also provides student support and mentoring on the Institutes IWFM Programmes along with lecturing on the Institutes CSR, Customer Relations, Strategic Management and Risk Management Programmes.
His main reason for working with Portobello Institute is to continue working with people on their personal and career development while sharing with them his world of work experiences.
Gerry has direct hands-on and tutoring experience of almost 20 years in the areas of Customer Service, Active Citizenship and Corporate and Social Responsibility and has studied Active Citizenship and Corporate and Social Responsibility at Northwestern University Chicago; Advanced Strategic Management and International Marketing at the International Management Development Institute, Geneva; Commerce at UCD and Senior Executive Development, Irish Management Institute.
Working with Multi-National Corporations in Ireland, the US and Europe he designed, developed, tutored and implemented over 100 Corporate and Social Responsibility, Customer Service, Education, Emotional Intelligence and Cross Border Programmes targeted at influencing and improving the work opportunities and lives of people living in the Inner Cities of Belfast and Dublin.
This course has been specifically designed to be delivered online with live lectures. Six weeks is allowed for submission of assignments at the end of the course.
Webinars are recorded and should you miss a session, you can catch up with the recorded session at a later date.
Graduates of the IWFM Level 5 Certificate in Facilities Management at Portobello Institute have strong career opportunities across facilities management, property services, and operational environments.
The programme builds on existing knowledge, preparing you to manage services, support operations, and contribute to workplace performance across a range of sectors.
An IWFM Level 5 Diploma provides direct entry into Year 3 of the BSc (Hons) Facilities & Workplace Management degree, allowing you to achieve an honours degree with one additional year of study.
Facilities Management Career Opportunities
This programme prepares you for roles across facilities operations, contract services, and workplace management.
Typical career pathways include:
- Facilities Technician
- Safety & Facilities Officer
- Facilities Coordinator
- Facilities Manager
- Services Manager
- Contracts Manager
- Facilities Key Account Manager
These roles involve managing services, coordinating maintenance, and ensuring compliance across workplace environments.
Employers Recruiting Our Graduates
Our programmes attract facilities professionals from leading organisations across the FM sector including:
- Apleona
- Bidvest Noonan
- ISS
- CBRE
- DHL
- Veolia
- Irish Rail
- Interact Services
- JLL
- Savills
- An Garda Síochána
These organisations value professionals who can manage services, oversee operations, and support complex facilities environments.
Why Facilities Management Graduates Are in Demand
As organisations focus on efficiency, compliance, and workplace performance, demand for skilled facilities professionals continues to grow.
What You Will Develop
Through this programme, you will develop:
- Knowledge of facilities and operational management
- Understanding of compliance and safety requirements
- Skills in managing services and contracts
- Experience supporting operational environments
- Industry-recognised knowledge aligned with IWFM
Industry Partners
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1Complete the online application form.
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2Confirmation of a place will be given to applicants after completing the online booking form and payment of tuition fees.
Course: €5,695
Option 1
40% deposit payment (€2,396.00), followed by 6 scheduled payments on the first of each month, commencing the 1st of the month after the start date of the course. Includes one off instalment fee of €295.
- €599.00 due in month 1
- €599.00 due in month 2
- €599.00 due in month 3
- €599.00 due in month 4
- €599.00 due in month 5
- €599.00 due in month 6
