Head of Properties

To lead and manage the organisation's property portfolio strategy, ensuring optimal utilisation, regulatory compliance, cost efficiency, sustainability, and alignment with business growth objectives. The role oversees property acquisition, leasing, facilities management, maintenance, capital projects, and stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities 1. Strategic Property Management

• Give input to and implement the organisation's long-term property strategy which is aligned to business objectives.
• Lead portfolio planning, space optimisation, and workplace strategy.
• Provide property insights to EXCO and Board to support strategic decisions.
• Oversee feasibility studies for new sites, expansions, or consolidations.
• Manage owned and leased properties across all regions.
• Negotiate leases, renewals, and property-related contracts.
• Ensure accurate property asset register and lifecycle management.
• Drive value optimisation of property assets.

3. Facilities & Operations Management

• Oversee facilities management teams and service providers.
• Ensure preventative and reactive maintenance programmes are in place.
• Monitor service level agreements (SLAs) and vendor performance.
• Ensure workplace safety and compliance standards are upheld.

4. Capital Projects & Development

• Lead property development, refurbishments, and capital projects.
• Manage project budgets, timelines, and risk mitigation.
• Coordinate architects, contractors, engineers, and consultants.
• Ensure compliance with building regulations and municipal requirements.
• Prepare and manage property budgets (OPEX and CAPEX).
• Drive cost control, efficiency, and financial reporting.
• Conduct cost-benefit and ROI analysis on property investments.
• Support audit processes and governance requirements.

6. Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with:
• Building regulations
• Occupational health and safety legislation (e.g. Occupational Health and Safety Act)
• Manage property-related risk assessments and mitigation plans.
• Ensure insurance coverage adequacy for all properties.

7. Sustainability & ESG

• Drive green building initiatives and energy efficiency programmes.
• Support ESG reporting requirements.
• Implement sustainability certifications where applicable.
• Lead and develop the property and facilities team.
• Foster a high-performance culture.
• Present property reports to EXCO and Board.
• Ensure adherence to corporate governance standards (e.g. King IV Report on Corporate Governance principles).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Property Management, Real Estate, Engineering, Built Environment, or related field.
• Professional registration (e.g., South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession or similar) advantageous.

Experience

• 8-12 years' experience in property/asset management.
• 5 years in senior leadership role.
• Experience managing multi-site corporate portfolios.
• Strong experience in lease negotiations and capital project oversight.
• Strategic thinking
• Project management
• Strong leadership and people development capability

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Property cost per square meter
• Lease negotiation savings achieved
• Maintenance turnaround time
• Budget variance (OPEX & CAPEX)
• Sustainability performance indicators
• Return on investment (property capital cost)