General Manager

Berkeley Group Plc; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading property development firm is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee a new build-to-rent scheme in Sandton. You will ensure efficient running, manage team recruitment, drive operational delivery, and foster resident engagement. The ideal candidate has operational management experience, strong leadership capabilities, and excellent financial acumen. This position comes with competitive benefits including private medical insurance and generous leave allowances.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Health and wellbeing benefits

Private pension plan

Group life assurance

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operational management within build to rent sector.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Excellent financial acumen and budget management experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement operational plans for efficient scheme running.
• Oversee recruitment, induction, and ongoing training.
• Manage and monitor the scheme's operating budget.

Skills

Operational management experience

Leadership skills

Financial acumen

Communication skills

Commitment to sustainability

Job description

Overview

Berkeley Living is a dedicated rental offering from the Berkeley Group, combining five decades of expertise in creating high-quality homes and communities with a forward-looking approach to modern living. Established to redefine the rental experience, Berkeley Living delivers homes of exceptional design and craftsmanship, supported by an unwavering commitment to service, care, and attention to detail.

Our developments are located within established, well-connected Berkeley communities, ensuring residents enjoy not only beautifully designed apartments but also thoughtfully curated public spaces, amenities, and excellent transport links. Every element has been considered to provide a seamless, stress-free experience, where flexibility meets the reassurance of a trusted and responsible landlord.

At the core of Berkeley Living is a belief that renting should be as effortless as it is rewarding. We remove complexity, anticipate needs, and foster welcoming environments where individuals can feel truly at home. In doing so, we set a new benchmark for renting – one that prioritises quality, integrity, and excellence at every stage.

Key Responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced individual to lead the operations on a brand new BTR scheme due to open in Spring 2026. This role will oversee the delivery and day to day operations across one of our BTR developments. You will be responsible for driving your team to ensure seamless operational delivery and create a first-class resident experience.

You will have overall responsibility for the operations and performance of the BTR community which will include the following:

Operations

• Develop and implement operational plans to ensure the efficient day-to-day running of the scheme.
• Lead, motivate, and support the on-site team, fostering a positive culture with a strong focus on wellbeing and professional development.
• Oversee recruitment, induction, and ongoing training in line with company policies.
• Collaborate with central support teams to deliver outstanding customer service and resident engagement initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong local partnerships and community relationships.
• Champion sustainability initiatives aligned with Berkeley’s Vision 2030 Strategy, including effective void utility management.
• Conduct bi-annual apartment visits to ensure lease compliance and identify maintenance needs.
• Ensure unit turnover processes meet agreed SLAs.
• Work closely with the estate management team to coordinate operations across the wider development.

Finance

• Manage and monitor the scheme’s operating budget, ensuring financial performance and value for money.
• Hold regular performance reviews with maintenance, marketing, and leasing teams, driving continuous improvement.
• Ensure timely rent collection and manage arrears in line with company policy, escalating where legal action is required.

Health & Safety

• Ensure compliance with statutory legislation, working closely with the H&S and Compliance Manager.
• Oversee reactive maintenance, ensuring issues are correctly allocated and resolved promptly.
• Enforce H&S policies, ensuring all contractors follow safe systems of work.
• Conduct regular building inspections, addressing safety or security concerns with central support teams.

Leasing & Marketing

• Collaborate with central leasing and marketing managers to ensure seamless communication and delivery.
• Support the Leasing Manager and team in conducting viewings, ensuring the “Berkeley Living” standard is upheld.
• Monitor and respond to all incoming enquiries in line with service levels.
• Ensure compliance with local licensing requirements, maintaining all necessary documentation.
• Proactively manage lease breaches, overseeing remediation and escalation where needed.

Customer Service

• Represent the Berkeley Living brand by delivering exceptional service to residents, visitors, and contractors.
• Foster open communication with residents across multiple channels, supporting a strong sense of community.
• Host regular resident meetings, sharing updates, addressing concerns, and gathering feedback.
• Deliver the Resident Engagement Strategy, ensuring clear communication of building and fire safety information.
• Oversee resident events to strengthen engagement and retention.
• Actively seek ways to exceed expectations, driving positive feedback and reviews.
• Act as the escalation point for complaints, ensuring timely and effective resolution.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Proven experience in operational management, ideally within build to rent/Living sector.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Excellent financial acumen and budget management experience.
• A collaborative mindset with exceptional communication skills.
• A commitment to sustainability, safety, and delivering outstanding customer experiences.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, increasing with service to 33 days.
• Health and wellbeing benefits including Private Medical Insurance.
• Lifestyle benefits including access to an online discount platform.
• Berkeley Foundation volunteer day.
• Private pension plan.
• Group life assurance.

The standard default full-time working hours in the office are 8am-5pm with core working hours 9am-4pm.

Internal applicants: If you’re an internal applicant, please ensure you’ve informed your line manager of your intention to apply for this position.