Head of Corporate Real Estate Services, Africa

Diageo; Forest Hills; On-site; ZAR 1 500 000 - 2 000 000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in consumer goods is seeking a Head of CRES to oversee real estate strategies and ensure motivational workplaces. The role requires engaging with stakeholders and managing sustainability initiatives. Ideal candidates must have over 10 years of leadership experience and strong communication skills. This position is located in Forest Hills, South Africa.

Qualifications

• Ability to align with and influence key stakeholders.
• Strong experience of managing IFM services across various buildings.
• At least 10 years leadership experience in CRES functions.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the Global CRES Strategy in the region.
• Engage stakeholders and manage relationships.
• Oversee the financial performance of CRES functions.

Skills

Stakeholder alignment

IFM services management

Leadership and management

Change management

Communication skills

Sustainability program management

Job description

Job Description:

About us

As the home of iconic brands such as Baileys, Guinness, Smirnoff, and Johnnie Walker, Diageo sources, produces, and delivers 6.5 billion litres of world‑leading products every year across 180 markets globally. Because of this huge undertaking, we rely on highly sophisticated systems as well as the very best talent to make sure our businesses continue to run efficiently.

Purpose of the Role

Context – The Global CRES portfolio is significant in size, and consists of a mixture of office locations, supply/manufacturing sites and land/other. The Africa region covers 9 countries, with offices and manufacturing sites, plus some land/other sites. The Head of CRES is responsible for the following in the region:

• Delivering the Global CRES Strategy; to build inclusive and balanced workplaces that drive connections and inspire our employees to do their best work.
• Determining and executing the regional aspects of this strategy with respect to our 5 pillars: Workplace Experience, Portfolio and Supply Partner Optimisation, Sustainability, Culture and Capability, and Risk Management and Performance Metrics.
• Financial performance of the CRES function for all real estate assets in the regional portfolio.
• Senior stakeholder engagement & business partnering across the region – displaying SME leadership and strong relationship building.
• Ownership of the Regional / Sub‑regional Executive relationships.
• Providing oversight and leadership of CRES function – in‑house and outsourced teams.
• Ensuring proper governance for CRES related activities and managing related risk.
• Leading the business, suppliers and internal partners to ensure Diageo workspaces are motivational places to be and work, are set up to attract the right talent, foster a culture of creativity and innovation, protect the wellbeing of Diageo employees, and promote environmental sustainability.

Key Accountabilities

Building Outstanding Relationships

• Develop and maintain trusted positive relationships with business/market stakeholders, Global/Regional CRES Teams and with key personnel at our key supply partners.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with peers and broader industry networks.
• Be the ambassador for Global CRES in the region, showcasing our successes and innovation.

Manage CRES Performance & Outcomes for a geography

• Ensuring the real estate portfolio optimises cost, carbon and Workplace Experience, developing and delivering programmes for consolidation, change or growth where needed.
• Owning and ensuring the capital and revenue budget is owned and tracked.
• Deliver our 2030 targets with respect to Sustainability – waste, water, carbon, aligning CRES with Diageo’s Society 2030 ambition – for Offices and Fleet.

Manage Team and 3rd Parties

• Ensuring efficient delivery of key supplier IFM contracts and capital projects to address business needs and release value.
• Oversee delivery of CRES services/projects to deliver experiential and safe workspaces, Sustainability targets and our D&I agenda.

Governance, Risk, Performance Measurement & Reporting

• Share, roll out and embed best practice in CRES activities i.e., codification across countries.
• Ensure compliance with standards and policies within CRES, own all CRES related risks in the region.
• Measuring and reporting to the Global Head of CRES on CRES and portfolio performance, plus key regional stakeholders.
• Establish appropriate steering groups for markets within the geography and hold them to account for the governance of decisions and change projects for their market.

CRES Excellence

• Our purpose at Diageo is to Celebrate Life, Everyday, Everywhere.
• Our Diageo ambition is to create the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products company in the world.
• Our Diageo CRES mission to help enable our ambition by creating inclusive and balanced workplaces that enhance connections and inspire our colleagues to do their best work.
  • Be Externally Curious
  • Collaborate Efficiently
  • Experiment and Learn
  • Act Decisively

Entry Level Requirements – Capabilities, Skills & Experience

• Ability to align with and influence key stakeholders with potentially conflicting priorities and to effectively connect with/challenge senior stakeholders.
• Strong experience of managing IFM services across a range of buildings – offices and supply.
• At least 10 years leadership/management experience in CRES related function.
• Experience in and/or a good understanding of Diageo or equivalent organisation.
• Highly self‑motivated and pro‑active with great communication skills.
• Proven track record in an ability to work with others, both within CRES and across an organisation.
• Proven track record in change and programme management.
• Experience in the strategic management of IFM services and suppliers across markets.
• Understanding of Supplier and CRES IFM performance metrics and communication thereof.
• Experience of managing regional Sustainability programmes/targets across the CRES lifecycle.
• Awareness and management of CRES Risk and governance.

Diversity statement

Our purpose is to celebrate life, every day, everywhere. And crafting an inclusive culture, where everyone feels valued and that they can belong, is a crucial part of this. We embrace diversity in the broadest possible sense. This means that you’ll be welcomed and celebrated for who you are just by being you. You’ll be part of and help build and champion an inclusive culture that celebrates people of different gender, ethnicity, ability, age, social class, educational backgrounds, experiences, mindsets, and more.

Worker Type

Regular

Primary Location

Waterfall

Job Posting Start Date

2025-08-28