Head of Property Operations / Senior Property Portfolio …, Cape Town

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 (GROSS) + Benifits  – 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 (GROSS)
(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.