Introduction

Company Summary

The company is a real estate company that was established in 1963. They have a large property portfolio in and around Cape Town and Johannesburg. The company is managed by a professional team that is known for its enthusiasm and excellence. They offer a range of services, including property management, property maintenance, retail leasing, and new developments in the commercial, industrial, retail, and residential sectors. In addition to these services, the company has an in-house auditor.

Description

Job Title: Head of Property Operations / Senior Property Portfolio Manager (REIT Environment)

Recruitment Company: Sagen Advisory Recruitment Company

Location: Southern Suburbs, Cape Town

Work Arrangement: Onsite / Field-based (Frequent travel required)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: R50,000 – R70,000 per month (CTC) – Market-related based on experience

Company Description:

Our client is a prominent Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with a diverse and expanding portfolio, based in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. They are known for their commitment to asset value preservation and excellence in property governance.

Job Summary:

Sagen Advisory Recruitment Company a high-calibre professional who embodies the combined expertise of a Head of Property Operations, a Portfolio Operations Manager, and a Regional Property Manager. This role is designed for a seasoned leader who has progressed through the ranks and possesses a 'boots-on-the-ground' mentality. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between high-level asset strategy and technical site reality, demonstrating the authority to lead diverse teams while maintaining a rigorous, hands-on focus on property inspections, structural integrity, and operational excellence across a multi-site REIT environment.

This pivotal role focuses on the operational, financial, and strategic performance of a high-value property portfolio. The successful candidate will spend significant time on-site, conducting inspections and overseeing the technical and structural integrity of assets. This is a leadership position requiring a professional who has worked through the ranks and possesses deep operational insight into the South African property sector.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Site Overviews & Technical Inspections: Conduct rigorous site visits to assess maintenance standards, contractor workmanship, and overall structural integrity.
Operational Oversight: Manage large-scale maintenance projects, coordinate service providers, and ensure all preventative maintenance schedules are met.
Financial Management: Prepare and control property budgets, monitor financial performance, and implement capital improvement projects to enhance asset value.
Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Property Managers, ensuring high performance and service excellence across the portfolio.
Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the primary liaison between tenants, contractors, Asset Managers, and the Board.
Compliance & Governance: Ensure all properties meet statutory requirements, building codes, and safety standards; maintain up-to-date insurance and compliance certification.
Reporting: Present detailed reports on maintenance, capital works, and operational risks at the board level.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education: High school diploma (Essential); Bachelor’s degree in Property Studies, Real Estate, or Finance (Highly Preferred).
Experience: Minimum of 5 years’ experience at a Senior Property Management level, specifically within a REIT or multi-site environment.
Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of construction quality, HVAC, fire safety, and general property compliance.
Licensing: Professional property management certification or EAAB/PPRA registration is an advantage.
Logistics: Valid driver’s license (Daily travel is a core requirement).

Salary & Level Positioning
R50,000 – R70,000 per month (CTC)
(Dependent on experience, portfolio complexity, and demonstrated seniority)

Added Benefits

The successful candidate will have access to the following benefits, where applicable:

Company cell phone
Laptop
Fuel reimbursement for business travel
Company vehicle with petrol card
Medical insurance (medical aid contribution)
Parking costs covered, where applicable (e.g., CBD or retail site locations)
Paid professional memberships, subject to discussion and relevance to the role and benefit to the company
Annual performance bonus, based on individual and portfolio performance

Ideal Candidate Profile: The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in a mobile, site-based environment rather than behind a desk. You possess "boots-on-the-ground" experience and can identify structural or maintenance issues that others might miss. You are financially literate, a tough negotiator with contractors, and a sophisticated communicator capable of presenting to executive boards, as well as leading teams.

Profile

Job Title: Head of Property Operations / Senior Property Portfolio Manager (REIT Environment)

Recruitment Company: Sagen Advisory Recruitment Company

Location: Southern Suburbs, Cape Town

Work Arrangement: Onsite / Field-based (Frequent travel required)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: R50,000 – R70,000 per month (CTC) – Market-related based on experience

Company Description:

Job Summary:

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Site Overviews & Technical Inspections: Conduct rigorous site visits to assess maintenance standards, contractor workmanship, and overall structural integrity.
Operational Oversight: Manage large-scale maintenance projects, coordinate service providers, and ensure all preventative maintenance schedules are met.
Financial Management: Prepare and control property budgets, monitor financial performance, and implement capital improvement projects to enhance asset value.
Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Property Managers, ensuring high performance and service excellence across the portfolio.
Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the primary liaison between tenants, contractors, Asset Managers, and the Board.
Compliance & Governance: Ensure all properties meet statutory requirements, building codes, and safety standards; maintain up-to-date insurance and compliance certification.
Reporting: Present detailed reports on maintenance, capital works, and operational risks at the board level.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education: High school diploma (Essential); Bachelor’s degree in Property Studies, Real Estate, or Finance (Highly Preferred).
Experience: Minimum of 5 years’ experience at a Senior Property Management level, specifically within a REIT or multi-site environment.
Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of construction quality, HVAC, fire safety, and general property compliance.
Licensing: Professional property management certification or EAAB/PPRA registration is an advantage.
Logistics: Valid driver’s license (Daily travel is a core requirement).

Salary & Level Positioning
R50,000 – R70,000 per month (CTC)
(Dependent on experience, portfolio complexity, and demonstrated seniority)

Added Benefits

The successful candidate will have access to the following benefits, where applicable:

Company cell phone
Laptop
Fuel reimbursement for business travel
Company vehicle with petrol card
Medical insurance (medical aid contribution)
Parking costs covered, where applicable (e.g., CBD or retail site locations)
Paid professional memberships, subject to discussion and relevance to the role and benefit to the company
Annual performance bonus, based on individual and portfolio performance

We offer

Salary & Level Positioning
R50,000 – R70,000 per month (CTC)
(Dependent on experience, portfolio complexity, and demonstrated seniority)

Added Benefits

The successful candidate will have access to the following benefits, where applicable:

Company cell phone
Laptop
Fuel reimbursement for business travel
Company vehicle with petrol card
Medical insurance (medical aid contribution)
Parking costs covered, where applicable (e.g., CBD or retail site locations)
Paid professional memberships, subject to discussion and relevance to the role and benefit to the company
Annual performance bonus, based on individual and portfolio performance

Sagen Advisory Pty

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Head of Property Operations / Senior Property Portfolio Manager (REIT Environment)