Operations and Maintenance Manager – Highlands House

Staffwise; Cape Town; Sur place; ZAR 720 000 - 1 000 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Highlands House in Gardens, Cape Town, is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the non-medical functions of the residential facility. You will manage facilities, maintenance, contractors, suppliers and compliance to ensure safe, efficient and cost‑effective operations.

You will build a capable maintenance team, plan daily work, coordinate with other departments and drive preventative maintenance, safety and budget control.

Qualifications

• Matric or equivalent qualification.
• Operations Management diploma or related qualification.
• Minimum five years' experience as an Operations Manager or similar.
• Experience in facilities maintenance, procurement and service delivery.
• Strong communication and people-management skills.
• Proficiency with Excel, Word and Outlook; knowledge of health and safety.

Responsabilités

• Provide operational leadership and manage a maintenance team.
• Oversee non-medical operations to deliver services efficiently and cost‑effectively.
• Plan and allocate daily work, monitor progress and ensure timelines.
• Coordinate with heads of department to support priorities.
• Develop and manage preventative maintenance schedules and projects.
• Oversee contractors, suppliers and procurement processes.
• Maintain compliance with health, safety and fire regulations.
• Monitor budgets, assets and performance; report variations.
• Engage with residents, families and staff to address concerns.

Connaissances

Communication skills

People management

Project management

Budget management

Organisational skills

Leadership

Team collaboration

Stakeholder relations

Attention to detail

Formation

Matric or equivalent

Operations Management diploma

Outils

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Description du poste

About the Organisation and the Role

Highlands House is a dynamic residential facility for older people, situated in Gardens, Cape Town. We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead and oversee the full non-medical operational functions of the facility. This is a hands‑on leadership role responsible for ensuring that the property, maintenance services, contractors, suppliers, systems and operational controls are managed safely, efficiently and cost-effectively.

Full-time, Permanent, Work

Cape Town, Gardens

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Operational leadership and team management
• Oversee the full non-medical operational functions of the facility and ensure that services are delivered efficiently, consistently and cost-effectively.
• Lead by example and build a capable, service-focused maintenance team.
• Plan, organise and allocate daily work, monitor progress and ensure tasks are completed to the required standard and within agreed timeframes.
• Coordinate with heads of department to support the smooth execution of functions and operational priorities across the facility.
• Facilities, maintenance and project management
• Develop and manage preventative and reactive maintenance schedules, projects and programmes.
• Plan and oversee specialised maintenance and improvement projects, including the preparation of work orders and coordination of service providers.
• Ensure that essential equipment is regularly serviced, maintained and kept in safe working order.
• Identify short- and long-term property improvement priorities and implement practical actions that improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Contractors, suppliers and procurement
• Obtain and assess quotations, prepare work orders and manage contracted services from appointment through to completion.
• Manage key suppliers and third-party vendors: monitor service quality, performance and value for money.
• Maintain and update service-level agreements; ensure suppliers meet agreed standards and obligations.
• Support the procurement of operating supplies, equipment and essential services in line with organisational procedures and budget controls.
• Compliance, health and safety
• Ensure compliance with facility operating controls, policies and standard operating procedures.
• Take operational responsibility for compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, fire regulations and other applicable legal requirements.
• Identify operational and safety risks, address matters within the role’s authority and escal
• Maintain accurate operational, maintenance, servicing and compliance records.
• Budget, assets and performance
• Assist the Financial Manager with preparation and management of the annual maintenance budget.
• Monitor maintenance expenditure, seek cost-effective solutions and support sound budgetary control.
• Oversee operational asset records, maintenance requirements and the effective use of equipment and resources.
• Review operational practices and recommend improvements that strengthen service delivery, efficiency and cost control.
• Resident and stakeholder service
• Liaise professionally with residents, families and tenants regarding property and maintenance matters.
• Respond promptly and sensitively to maintenance-related concerns and complaints, ensuring appropriate follow-up and resolution.
• Build effective working relationships with staff, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Required Skills & Experience

• Education and Qualifications
• Matric or an equivalent qualification.
• An Operations Management diploma or qualification in a related field.
• Work experience and industry exposure
• A minimum of five years’ proven experience as an Operations Manager or in a similar role.
• Sound knowledge of operations management, facilities maintenance, contractor management, procurement and service delivery.
• Experience managing budgets, suppliers, service-level agreements and operational assets.
• Experience in a residential, healthcare, hospitality or other service-driven environment would be advantageous.
• Strong Communication and Interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong people-management skills, with the ability to lead, delegate, monitor performance and develop a team.
• A professional and respectful approach when engaging residents, families, tenants, staff, suppliers and contractors.
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team and resolve concerns calmly and constructively.
• Excellent Administration and Organisational Skills
• Outstanding planning, organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong project-management capability and consistent follow-through on maintenance, compliance and improvement initiatives.
• Good budgetary control, record-keeping and reporting skills.
• Strong attention to detail and a practical, solutions-focused approach to problem-solving.
• Specific requirements
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Working knowledge of occupational health and safety requirements, fire regulations and relevant operational controls.
• A hands-on, accountable leadership style and the ability to take ownership of the facility’s non‑medical operations.

If you have not been contacted within 2 weeks of submitting your application, kindly consider your application to have been unsuccessful

Closing date for applications: 12 October 2026

• Job Category Business & Management, Facilities Management, Property, Maintenance & Construction
• Location: Gardens, Cape Town
• Reporting to: Snr Management
• Nature of contract: Permanent
• Hours of work: Full time
• Salary range: Market Related, commensurate with skill and experience
• Closing date for applications: 12 October 2026