Director: Facilities

University of Pretoria; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pretoria seeks a Director for its Facilities Management Department. This senior management position requires strategic leadership across the extensive real estate portfolio, ensuring sustainability and alignment with UP's academic and research missions. Candidates should possess a Master’s degree, extensive management experience, and a proven track record in facilities and infrastructure management.

Benefits

50% contribution to monthly medical aid premiums

Access to continued professional development

Qualifications

• At least 15 years of post-qualification experience.
• 5+ years in a senior management role in facilities or infrastructure management.
• Professional registration with a relevant South African regulatory body is required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operational and strategic management of facilities management.
• Lead diverse operational units to maintain a sustainable campus environment.
• Ensure optimal utilization of the University's physical assets.

Skills

Strategic Management

Leadership

Operational Excellence

Stakeholder Management

Change Management

Project Management

Budgeting

Education

Master’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering or related field

Tools

Integrated Enterprise Resource Management Systems

Maintenance Management Systems

GIS

Job description

UP Professional and Support

DEPARTMENT OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

DIRECTOR

PEROMNES POST LEVEL 3

The University of Pretoria is one of South Africa’s top research-intensive universities, dedicated to producing high-quality, impactful research that addresses complex contemporary issues. It is one of the most significant producers of research and makes a major contribution to postgraduate and postdoctoral fellowship training, as well as nurturing and supporting researchers at different stages of their research careers. It is home to the largest number of National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researchers. The University has developed the infrastructure and a number of research platforms, including the Future Africa Institute and Campus, which support multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary research across the institution. The University is continuously expanding its research partnerships and collaborations across the globe.

The University’s nine faculties and business school offer a wide spectrum of under- and postgraduate programmes that are recognised internationally. It offers quality education to a cohort of approximately 55 000 students from across the diversity of the South African population and awards approximately 14% of all degrees conferred annually by public universities in South Africa.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the position of Director – Facilities Management. This is a senior management role responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight across UP’s diverse and complex physical infrastructure portfolio.

Overview Of Facilities Management

The University of Pretoria’s Department of Facilities Management (UPFM) is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary department responsible for overseeing all real estate services across the institution. Operating at strategic, tactical and operational levels UPFM delivers comprehensive facilities management solutions to the entire university community. In fulfilling its mandate, the department integrates the facilities, services and infrastructure requirements into a unified campus spatial development plan. This plan aligns with UP’s strategic vision, which emphasizes that world-class infrastructure and physical facilities are essential in fostering an environment where students and staff can thrive and advance the University’s academic and research mission.

Job Purpose

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the successful candidate will oversee the operational and strategic management of the Department of Facilities Management which manages the University of Pretoria’s extensive real estate portfolio. This includes seven campuses comprising over one million square meters of built infrastructure. As Director, the incumbent will provide strategic leadership and governance across the Facilities Management portfolio, ensuring the optimal utilisation of the University’s physical assets and infrastructure. The role entails managing diverse operational units and services to maintain a sustainable, innovative, and future-ready campus environment that aligns with UP’s academic, research and institutional objectives. The Director of Facilities Management plays a pivotal role in shaping UP’s physical environment, ensuring it remains world-class, sustainable, and adaptive to future challenges. This is a high impact leadership position requiring vision, resilience, and innovation to drive the University’s infrastructure into the next decade.

Key Requirements For The Role

The successful incumbent will have to successfully display the following:

Strategic Management and Leadership

• A proven track record in senior leadership, with the ability to develop and execute long-term facilities and infrastructure strategies aligned with institutional strategic goals.
• Lead the development and implementation of long-term infrastructure and sustainability plans.
• Demonstrated success in managing large scale real estate portfolios (preferably in higher education or similarly complex environments).
  
  

Operational Excellence and Governance

• Extensive experience in strategic asset management, optimising the use, performance, and lifecycle of physical infrastructure.
• Strong financial and budgetary acumen, with experience overseeing multi-million- rand operational and capital budgets.
  
  

Stakeholder and Change Management

• Exceptional ability to engage executive leadership, academic stakeholders, and external partners to drive integrated campus development.
• A change agent with experience in transforming facilities management practices to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and service delivery.
  
  

Technical and Industry Expertise

• In-depth knowledge of property management, maintenance systems, space planning, and sustainable infrastructure development.
• Familiarity with smart campus technologies, green building standards, and risk/compliance frameworks in facilities management.
  
  

People and Team Leadership

• A dynamic leader with a history of building high-performing teams, fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary units.
• Strong commitment to staff development, diversity, and inclusive leadership within a large, complex organisation.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• A Master’s degree in either Construction Management, Engineering or a related built environment discipline.
• At least 15 years of post-qualification experience, including at least 5 years or more in a senior management role in facilities or infrastructure management within a medium-to-large organisation.
• Proven expertise in:
• Strategic planning and execution;
• P roject and financial management;
• Human Resources and organisational development;
• Regulatory compliance (OHS, building regulations, procurement frameworks); and
• Sustainability and environmental systems;
• Strategic Management;
• Contract Management, including a basic knowledge of requirements related to procurement processes and contractual agreements, e.g., service level agreements;
• National Building Regulations; Contract Law (JBCC, NEC); and Occupational Health and Safety requirements;
• Applied knowledge and experience in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as integrated enterprise resource management systems including Help Desk and Maintenance Management.
• Professional registration with the appropriate South African regulatory professional body.
  

Required Competencies (skills, Knowledge And Behavioural Attributes)

The successful candidate will have advanced proficiency in the following knowledge and technical competencies:

• Knowledge of legal and regulatory frameworks for infrastructure in higher education.
• Knowledge of facilities management best practices.
• Knowledge of integrated enterprise systems (ERP, Maintenance Management, GIS).
• Sustainability and environmental compliance.
• Ability to lead high-performance teams across diverse technical and operational areas.
• Ability to lead a large workforce.
• Ability to align departmental goals with institutional strategy.
• Ability to forecast future trends and their impact on infrastructure and sustainability.
• Ability to balance long-term strategic goals with immediate operational priorities.
• Ability to budget and manage operational and capital budgets.
• Ability to lead high-performance teams across diverse technical and operational areas.
• Provides clear direction, inspires confidence, and motivates others toward achieving shared goals.
• Ability to manage conflict constructively and lead change effectively.
• Demonstrate high levels of personal and professional integrity.
• Ability to lead a culture of accountability and good governance.
• Excellent understanding the role of digital systems (e.g., ERP, GIS, Help Desk) in efficient facilities management.
• Demonstrate the ability to seek out new technologies, ideas, and approaches to improve infrastructure and promote sustainability within the areas of energy and the environment.
• Ability to apply systems thinking to solve complex operational problems.
• Ability to lead digital transformation initiatives within the division.
• Ability to seek out new technologies, ideas, and approaches to improve infrastructure and sustainability.
• Ability to lead continuous improvement initiatives with measurable impact.
  
  

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES

• A relevant PhD;
• A postgraduate management qualification (e.g. MBA, MBL, MSc) is strongly preferred;
• Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering is advantageous;
• A minimum of five (5) years relevant experience relating to facilities and or real estate management in a higher education or corporate property environment.
  
  

REMUNERATION

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent’s level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants are requested to apply online, quoting the applicable reference number at www.up.ac.za , and follow the link: Careers@UP. Applications must be accompanied by the following supporting documents that must be attached electronically to the application:

• A full curriculum vitae.
• An abbreviated curriculum vitae.
• Certified copies of qualifications and identity document or passport.
• A self-evaluation by the applicant on their suitability for appointment in the position.
• Applicant's vision for the portfolio.
• Names and contact details of at least three (3) referees who can attest to the candidate's stature as well as leadership qualities. (Applicants should note that the University also reserves the right to appoint and consult its own referees).
  
  

Please Note

All shortlisted candidates will be requested to make a presentation. The topic and further details will only be provided to shortlisted candidates.

All shortlisted candidates will be required to participate in relevant competencies and psychometric assessments as part of the selection process.

CLOSING DATE: 25 JULY 2025

Applications that are submitted after the closing date or are incomplete or if they do not comply with at least the minimum requirements will not be considered.

Enquiries

Mr Sandile Mthiyane, e-mail: [e-mail] on the position related enquiries.

Jeovitah Chimhamhiwa, email: [e-mail] on the application process.

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 October 2025, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.

In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to candidates from under- represented designated groups.

All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply.

By applying for this vacancy, the candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record (including sexual offences clearance), credit record, current and historic disciplinary proceedings as part of the selection process.

The University of Pretoria reserves the right to not fill the advertised position.