Graham Coles
Kurrajong Heights,NSW
Summary
Results-focused facilities and building management expert with extensive operations experience across multi-tenant commercial and residential properties. Collaborative individual skilled at leading cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional service and achieve organizational results. Proven success fostering and maintaining positive relationships with key stakeholders including clients and property managers. Consummate professional with a demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport and a strong work ethic.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Facilities Manager
National Facilities Management
The Miller North Sydney
06.2025 - Current
- Managed facility maintenance operations to ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards.
- Oversaw vendor relationships, negotiating contracts for services and supplies to optimize operational costs.
- Developed and implemented preventive maintenance programs, enhancing equipment reliability and performance.
- Led cross-functional teams in executing facility improvement projects, ensuring timely completion and adherence to budget constraints.
- Conducted regular inspections of facilities to identify issues and implement corrective actions promptly.
- Achieved cost savings through negotiating service contracts, leveraging long-term relationships with trusted suppliers.
- Controlled expenses to meet budget requirements.
- Improved facility efficiency by implementing preventive maintenance plans and streamlining work order processes.
- Interviewed, hired, and trained qualified maintenance employees.
- Maintained regulatory compliance by staying up-to-date on relevant laws, codes, standards, such as OSHA requirements.
- Provided mentorship and guidance to junior staff members, fostering a positive work environment that promoted professional growth.
- Drove continuous improvement of processes and systems operation.
- Established and maintained relationships with external vendors for prompt restocking of needed items and supplies.
- Prepared reports and schedules with accuracy.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors to obtain favorable and cost-effective terms and conditions.
- Oversaw annual budget to handle supply, labor and maintenance needs.
- Conducted regular inspections of physical assets, identifying areas for repair or replacement before issues escalated into costly problems.
Technical Service Manager
NSW Port Authority
07.2024 - 03.2025
- Oversaw 6-8 properties, including 4 major sites on Sydney Harbour
- Managed end-to-end building restoration projects for condemned or severely deteriorated government buildings
- Conducted site assessments and developed scopes of work for each property
- Coordinated and managed external vendors and contractors across all trades
- Obtained quotes and scheduled repairs and maintenance works
- Managed essential building services including plumbing, electrical, security, and lifts
- Prioritised safety, structural integrity, and service functionality for future use by mariners and port operations
- Facilitated the return of buildings to operational use in line with current maritime needs
Facilities Manager at the Commonwealth Family Law Courts located at Parramatta NSW
Ventia Australia NSW
03.2023 - 06.2024
- Managed facilities including Cleaning, Air Conditioning, Fire Systems, HVAC, Lift Maintenance, Power and Lighting, Plumbing, Solar System, External Window Cleaning, Security Services, and general building repairs.
- Selected Capex works together with System upgrades.
- Administration services including Budgets, Financial Management, Contractor Management, Report Writing, Monthly senior management meetings through Microsoft Teams.
Asset Services Officer
NSW Dept. of Education
11.2021 - 12.2022
- Managed facilities for 20 schools, including refurbishment, upgrades, and repairs
- Oversaw maintenance for several historical buildings in Parramatta
- Focused on fit-outs, preventative maintenance, and ongoing facility upgrades
- Coordinated and supervised vendors and contractors performing site works
- Operated in a collaborative environment, providing mutual support across school portfolios
- Ensured compliance with safety and operational standards across all assigned sites
Relief and Part-Time roles
Hays Recruitment
07.2020 - 10.2021
- At the height of Covid 19 period between March 2020 and October 2021, the demand for Facilities and Building Managers was at a reduced level because of the low occupancy of many commercial, residential, and hospitality venues.
- I worked for Hays Recruitment in relief and part-time roles. At the time I developed a strong relationship with Hays and consequently I was fortunate to continue my work responsibilities in a variety of commercial properties
Sydney Water West Ryde
05.2020 - 07.2020
- Appointed to support operations at the Sydney Plumbing Station on the fringe of Sydney Metro
- Ensured all building services were functioning correctly to support ongoing activities
- Conducted and coordinated repairs and maintenance as needed
- Supported critical infrastructure involved in extensive water testing activities
Relief Building/ Facilities Manager
Balnaves Foundation Sydney
04.2020 - 05.2020
- Relief Building/Facilities Manager for a 15 story fully tenanted Property in Macquarie Street Sydney, my responsibilities included management of all building services, whilst the existing FM was on extended leave.
Senior Building & Facilities Manager
BGIS Building Management Sydney, Au
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Directed all building operations across three multi-tenant, high-rise properties in the Sydney Metro area. Coordinated maintenance activities for normal services such as fire systems, electrical installations, air conditioning, lifts, BMS systems, car park exhaust equipment, and intercom systems.
- Managed the replacement of a shattered external window situated on level 42 of a high-rise city building above an open-air shopping mall. Coordinated professional contractors licensed to abseil down the external wall of the building completing the project over a three-day timeframe.
Senior Building & Facilities Manager
Pacific Building Management Sydney, Au
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Managed all hard and soft maintenance services utilizing a cross-functional team consisting of cleaning staff, concierge, and preventative and responsive maintenance professionals.
- Maintained responsibility for multiple facilities inclusive of V by Crown (a 28-story hotel), in Parramatta NSW (a residential apartment complex), and Ryde Gardens (a large 800-lot residential site consisting of three high-rise buildings).
- Administered budget management functions. Liaised to fulfil Strata Management requirements and Builders DLP repairs.
- Collaborated with builder (at Ryde Gardens) on the rectification of building common area defect repairs, with varying levels of complexity, during the DLP period after building completion. Identified repairs to be completed engaging a mediator as necessary where disagreement occurred.
- Coordinated with the Hotel and Property managers on the V by Crown property at Parramatta to perform routine and response maintenance services whilst maintaining resident privacy and protecting the reputation of property management by effectively addressing delays which could increase repair costs due to access disruptions.
Operations Manager
GPT Property Group Sydney, Au
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Oversaw all facility management activities including security, cleaning, fire systems, plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, landscaping, car park, lifts, and travellators at Norton St. Shopping Plaza Leichhardt. Facilitated high standards for communication with key stakeholders and subcontractors.
- Facilitated the retail centre’s demand for high performance services to meet the requirements of both shop owners and the general public whilst minimizing interruption to services such as air conditioning, power, and lighting. This process eliminated loss of income for the client and the potential decline of rental income.
- Executed comprehensive cleaning standards of the retail centre at Leichhardt changing the cleaning schedule without cost adjustment to provide an efficiency improvement in the day-to-day presentation of the centre with a weekly review to fine tune the procedures as necessary.
Senior Facilities & Building Manager
Waratah Building Services Sydney, Au
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Administered building and facilities services on a new apartment complex covering seven buildings in Northwester Sydney. Handled contract management for a group of specialist contractors providing property management services to owners and tenants.
- Effected a plan with Strata approval to install additional watering points to provide adequate care of lawns and gardens including the usage of sprinklers and hand watering to save plant life reducing the need for plant replacement.
- Developed a maintenance schedule with all services ensuring compliance was achieved over the initial 12 months preventative maintenance period utilizing the schedule as a template for new sites.
Commercial Facilities & Building Manager
Meriton Properties Sydney, Au
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Handled responsive and planned maintenance services for selected Meriton-owned commercial properties.
- Fostered positive relationships with clients and contractors.
- Supported the Oracle works management system. Produced written reports for management.
- Revamped a portfolio of managed commercial properties, over a six-month period, that were not in compliance with BCA and Australian standards by compiling surveys of every building and preparing a detailed costed maintenance schedule.
- These properties were destined for eventual demolition to make way for new residential buildings.
Skills
- Office management
- Strong communication skills Problem-solving
- Classroom management Microsoft office suite Google workspace
- First Aid
- Phone etiquette Scheduling coordination File and data management
- Additional Needs Coordinator
Certification
- Electrical Contractor (Licence Number E21506) Member Australian Institute of Facilities Management Consultants
- NSW Real Estate Certificate of Registration
- First Aid Certificate
- WHS Trained
- White Card OH&S Construction Induction
Additional Experience
- Contract Manager at St. George Community Housing 2012 - 2015
- FM Contract Manager at Brookfield Multiplex
- CBRE Facilities Services Manager at Dexus Group of Properties PPP
- FM Contract Manager at Spotless Services Pty. Ltd.
- Operations Manager at Business Diagnostics & Solutions
- NSW Manager at Wormald International Pty. Ltd.
Timeline
Facilities Manager
National Facilities Management
06.2025 - Current
Technical Service Manager
NSW Port Authority
07.2024 - 03.2025
Facilities Manager at the Commonwealth Family Law Courts located at Parramatta NSW
Ventia Australia NSW
03.2023 - 06.2024
Asset Services Officer
NSW Dept. of Education
11.2021 - 12.2022
Relief and Part-Time roles
Hays Recruitment
07.2020 - 10.2021
Sydney Water West Ryde
05.2020 - 07.2020
Relief Building/ Facilities Manager
Balnaves Foundation Sydney
04.2020 - 05.2020
Senior Building & Facilities Manager
BGIS Building Management Sydney, Au
01.2019 - 01.2020
Senior Building & Facilities Manager
Pacific Building Management Sydney, Au
01.2018 - 01.2019
Operations Manager
GPT Property Group Sydney, Au
01.2017 - 01.2018
Senior Facilities & Building Manager
Waratah Building Services Sydney, Au
01.2016 - 01.2017
Commercial Facilities & Building Manager
Meriton Properties Sydney, Au
01.2015 - 01.2016