Estate Manager

Faircape; Somerset West; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative environment

Mon-Fri working hours

Bonus opportunities

Employee discounts on services

Manage two estates

Job summary

Faircape Life seeks an experienced Estate Manager to oversee Heritage Manor and Bridgewater Manor in Somerset West. The role is hands-on, ensuring safe, well-maintained estates with oversight of maintenance, facilities, security and health and safety.

You will lead staff across two sites, build relationships with residents and contractors, monitor SLAs, and drive service delivery while upholding high standards. Normal hours Mon-Fri; competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Facilities Management or related field advantageous.
• Health & Safety certification advantageous.
• Proven experience in Estate/Facilities/Operations management.
• Experience managing staff and external service providers.
• Experience budgeting and cost control.
• Sound knowledge of Health & Safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operational requirements of Heritage Manor and Bridgewater Manor.
• Coordinate maintenance, plant, equipment, security, waste and recycling services.
• Manage contractors and external service providers and ensure SLA compliance.
• Lead operational staff and promote a professional service culture.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety requirements and security plans.
• Prepare operational reports for Village Manager and Facilities Director.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Communication

Facility management

Safety compliance

Contractor management

Team development

Problem solving

Coordinating multiple sites

Administration

Education

Facilities/estate management qualification

Health & Safety certification (First Aid / Fire Safety / OHS)

Job description

Faircape Life manages six established retirement and lifestyle villages across the Western Cape, offering secure residential living, healthcare services and well-maintained facilities designed around quality of life and service excellence.

We are looking for an experienced and hands-on Estate Manager to oversee estate operations across Heritage Manor and Bridgewater Manor, two of our retirement villages based in Somerset West.

This is a broad operational management role responsible for ensuring that both estates are safe, well maintained and efficiently managed. You will oversee maintenance and facilities, security, service providers, operational staff, health and safety, and day-to-day estate requirements.

The role requires someone who is visible on the ground, comfortable managing multiple priorities across two sites, and able to build strong working relationships with residents, staff, contractors and management.

If you have a strong facilities or estate management background and enjoy taking ownership of operations, people and service delivery, we would like to hear from you.

What We Offer

At Faircape, we value our employees and offer:

• A collaborative working environment with exposure to a diverse operational environment
• Monday-to-Friday working hours
• Quarterly performance bonus opportunities
• Employee discounts on selected Faircape services, including high-speed internet
• The opportunity to manage two established lifestyle estates and work closely with experienced operational teams

Key Responsibilities

Estate & Facilities Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operational requirements of Heritage Manor and Bridgewater Manor
• Identify maintenance requirements and prioritise work according to urgency, safety risk and operational impact
• Coordinate maintenance, plant and equipment, security, waste management and recycling services
• Respond proactively to resident maintenance requirements and ensure appropriate follow-through
• Oversee maintenance requisitions for the Body Corporate and Healthcare Centres and track work through to completion
• Conduct regular inspections of buildings, plant, facilities and communal areas
• Identify operational or infrastructure risks and ensure corrective action is implemented
• Maintain high standards across both estates and ensure facilities remain safe, functional and well presented

Contractors & Service Providers

• Manage contractors and external service providers operating across the estates
• Monitor service delivery against agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
• Address performance, staffing and service delivery concerns proactively
• Facilitate communication between contractors, operational teams and management
• Supervise on-site work and ensure contractors comply with estate requirements and safety standards
• Review work completed and ensure agreed standards and scopes of work are met

Team Management

• Lead and coordinate operational staff across the estates
• Promote a professional, accountable and service-driven culture
• Monitor attendance, leave and operational coverage
• Provide guidance, training and support to staff
• Address performance concerns and operational challenges
• Work closely with HR regarding recruitment, onboarding and payroll-related administration

Health, Safety & Security

• Ensure compliance with relevant company Health & Safety requirements
• Conduct proactive safety inspections and identify potential risks before they become hazards
• Ensure non-compliance relating to plant, facilities or operational areas is addressed promptly
• Prioritise the safety of residents, employees, contractors and visitors
• Support emergency preparedness and response
• Manage security contractors and ensure compliance with the Estate's Security Operating Plan
• Regularly review security procedures and escalate risks or concerns where required

Resident & Stakeholder Management

• Maintain professional communication with residents, employees, contractors and visitors
• Build strong working relationships with residents and key stakeholders
• Respond professionally and practically to resident concerns
• Manage operational changes with minimal disruption to residents and estate activities
• Maintain a strong service culture across all operational areas

Reporting & Administration

• Prepare operational reports, recommendations and updates for the Village Manager and Facilities Director
• Maintain appropriate records relating to maintenance, contractors, incidents, compliance and operational matters
• Assist with operational budgets and cost management
• Ensure company policies, procedures and operational standards are consistently implemented

Requirements: Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Facilities Management, Property Management, Operations Management or a related field – advantageous
• Health & Safety certification such as First Aid, Fire Safety or OHS training – advantageous

Experience & Knowledge

• Proven experience in an Estate Manager, Facilities Manager, Property Manager, Operations Manager or similar operational role
• Strong experience managing maintenance and facilities operations
• Previous experience managing employees and external service providers
• Experience implementing, improving and managing operational systems and procedures
• Experience managing budgets and controlling operational expenditure
• Sound knowledge of Health & Safety requirements
• Practical understanding of maintenance, buildings and general infrastructure
• Experience within a residential estate, retirement village, hospitality, property or similar service-focused environment would be advantageous

Skills & Attributes

• Leadership: Confident managing teams, contractors and service providers while maintaining clear standards and accountability
• Operational Management: Able to manage multiple operational functions and priorities across two estates
• Communication: Professional and confident when engaging with residents, employees, contractors and management
• Facilities Management: Strong understanding of maintenance, infrastructure, service coordination and contractor management
• Service Orientation: Committed to maintaining high standards and providing a professional service to residents
• Problem Solving: Practical and decisive when responding to operational issues, emergencies and competing priorities
• Organisation: Able to coordinate multiple tasks, projects and deadlines across different locations
• Administration: Strong reporting, record-keeping and contractor documentation skills
• Adaptability: Comfortable managing change and responding to evolving operational requirements
• Professionalism: Demonstrates sound judgement, integrity and accountability

Specific Requirements

• Solid and positive written references
• Clear health record
• Clear credit record
• No criminal record

Working Hours

Normal working hours are Monday to Friday, 08h00 to 17h00, with a 45-minute lunch break.

The company offers a competitive salary. The final package will be determined based on the successful candidate's experience, qualifications, skills and overall suitability for the role.

Please visit the Faircape website to learn more about our Group and what we have to offer.

Should you not receive a response within two weeks of applying, please consider your application unsuccessful.