General Manager

Headhunters; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 2,500,000 - 3,750,000; Full time

Job summary

Headhunters is seeking an executive leader to drive strategic direction across Property, Finance, HR and Social Investment. You will lead the Senior Leadership Team, align governance with board priorities and oversee major capital projects to deliver sustainable value.

The role requires proven board-level reporting experience, strong stakeholder skills and a track record of strategic transformation in regulated environments. Expect high accountability and visibility within the organisation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, Finance, Property, Engineering, Public Administration, HR, Health or Social Sciences or related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification such as MBA, MCom, MPA or equivalent would be advantageous.
• Executive leadership or governance qualification would be advantageous.
• Proven experience leading a complex organisation or significant business unit.
• Experience reporting directly to a Board or governing body.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic direction translating Board priorities into measurable outcomes.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Property, Finance, HR and Social Investment.
• Lead Senior Leadership Team, create alignment and high performance culture.
• Provide governance of property portfolio including acquisitions, disposals, developments and major capex.
• Identify opportunities for property development, redevelopment and strategic investment.
• Oversee major capital projects and infrastructure investments.
• Ensure property decisions balance owners’ experience, financial sustainability and long-term value.
• Work with the Board to support governance and strategic decisions.
• Ensure the Board receives timely and comprehensive information and progress reports.
• Identify, manage and lift risks across strategic, financial, cybersecurity and reputational areas.
• Strengthen internal controls and ethical governance practices.
• Ensure compliance with legislation.
• Maintain excellent client/owners experiences and protect reputation.
• Build relationships with government, regulators, advisers and partners.
• Develop leaders, support succession planning and drive transformation.
• Lead organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Champion innovation and digital transformation.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, ownership, trust and compassionate service.
• Translate strategic priorities into execution, delivery and measurable outcomes.

Skills

Driver's license

Board reporting experience

Leadership of large teams

Multidisciplinary management

Budget and financial oversight

Strategic planning

Governance & compliance

Stakeholder management

Emotional intelligence

Accountability & sustainability

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/related field

MBA/MCom/MPA or equivalent

Executive leadership or governance qualification

Job description

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Commerce, Finance, Property, Engineering, Public Administration, Human Resources, Health Sciences, Social Sciences or a related discipline.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Postgraduate qualification such as an MBA, MCom, MPA or equivalent would be advantageous.
• Executive leadership or governance qualification would be advantageous.
• Proven experience leading a complex organisation or significant business unit.
• Experience reporting directly to a Board or governing body.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary management teams.
• Experience managing significant operational budgets and financial performance.
• Demonstrated experience in organisational strategy, change management and continuous improvement.
• Experience working within highly regulated environments.
• Strategic oversight of significant property portfolios, capital development programmes or infrastructure projects.
• Experience working with property professionals, architects, engineers, contractors and consultants.
• Strong understanding of property development, investment and strategic asset management.
• Strong governance, risk management and compliance knowledge.
• Excellent strategic, commercial and operational leadership capabilities.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• High emotional intelligence, self-awareness and resilience.
• Strong ethical values and sound judgement.
• Ability to balance empathy and leadership with accountability and financial sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the strategic direction and translate Board priorities into measurable organisational outcomes.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Property, Finance, Human Resources and Social Investment.
• Lead and develop the Senior Leadership Team, creating alignment, accountability and a high-performance culture.
• Provide strategic oversight and governance of the organisation's property portfolio, including acquisitions, disposals, developments and major capital expenditure.
• Identify opportunities for property development, redevelopment, expansion and strategic investment.
• Oversee major capital projects and infrastructure investments.
• Ensure property decisions balance owners experience, financial sustainability and long-term organisational value.
• Work closely with the Board to support effective governance and strategic decision-making.
• Ensure the Board receives accurate, timely and comprehensive information.
• Implement Board decisions and report on progress against strategic priorities.
• Identify, manage and lift significant strategic, operational, financial, cybersecurity, business continuity and reputational risks.
• Strengthen internal controls, fraud prevention and ethical governance practices.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation.
• Maintain exceptional client / owners experiences while protecting the organisation’s reputation.
• Build effective relationships with government departments, regulators, professional advisers, strategic partners and other stakeholders.
• Develop leaders, build organisational capability and support succession planning.
• Lead organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Champion innovation and appropriate digital transformation.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, ownership, trust and compassionate service.
• Ensure strategic priorities are translated into effective execution, project delivery and measurable outcomes.