Property Projects & Facilities Manager

Grindrod; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Grindrod seeks an experienced leader to direct strategic infrastructure, property development and facilities projects across South Africa and selected African operations. You will drive end-to-end planning, governance, consultant management and cost control to ensure delivery within scope, time and budget.

The role requires compliance with legislation, engineering standards, environmental requirements and best practices, with responsibility for budgeting, procurement and reporting.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience managing civil infrastructure, construction, property development and facilities projects.
• Proven experience in managing consultants, contractors, budgets, forecasts, variations and governance.
• Knowledge of civil works, environmental legislation, health and safety requirements, and cost management.

Responsibilities

• Lead civil, construction and property development projects from concept to close-out within scope, time and budget.
• Establish governance, reporting, risk management and site inspection routines.
• Manage consultants, engineers, architects, quantity surveyors and contractors to deliver value.
• Provide technical oversight on civil, structural, geotechnical, stormwater, roads and utilities.
• Monitor budgets, cash flow, cost-to-complete and variations; defend cost plans.
• Support equipment and facilities management; ensure compliance with regulations.
• Maintain project records, dashboards and executive reporting.
• Engage stakeholders including tenants, authorities and service providers to resolve issues.

Skills

Project Management

Budget Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Contract Administration

Leadership

Risk Management

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Build Environment, Property Development, or related engineering discipline

Job description

This role will lead and manage strategic infrastructure, property development and facilities projects across South Africa and selected African operations. The role is responsible for end-to-end project planning, execution, governance, consultant management, project cost control, budget optimisation, compliance and facilities oversight, while ensuring delivery in accordance with applicable legislation, engineering standards, environmental requirements and recognized industry best practices.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management – Strategic Development Projects

• Lead civil, construction and property development projects from concept to close-out, including feasibility, scope definition, design coordination, approvals, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover. Deliver projects within approved scope, timelines, quality standards and budgets.
• Establish project governance, reporting, risk management and site inspection routines aligned to civil construction best practice.

Consultant & Professional Team Management

• Represent the company in all project forums. Appoint, direct, challenge and manage consultants, engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, environmental specialists and contractors.
• Ensure consultant scopes, deliverables, fees, timelines and performance are clearly defined and actively managed.
• Review professional recommendations critically to drive practical, compliant and cost-effective solutions while reducing unnecessary dependency on external advisors.

Civil Engineering & Infrastructure Oversight

• Provide technical oversight on civil, structural, geotechnical, stormwater, roads, paving, drainage, utility and infrastructure-related developments.
• Review designs, drawings, specifications, construction methodologies, quality controls, site constraints and compliance requirements to ensure solutions are practical, durable, buildable and aligned with operational needs and industry best practices.

Cost Management & Budget Control

• Develop, manage and defend project budgets from feasibility through to close-out.
• Monitor expenditure, commitments, cash flow, cost-to-complete, variations, claims and scope changes.
• Work closely with quantity surveyors and property finance and administration teams to maintain cost discipline, identify cost-saving opportunities, interrogate consultant and contractor pricing, and ensure projects are delivered within approved financial parameters.
• Assist the Property administration team for inputs into finalizing the completed project costs, in order to conclude property lease agreements and lease addendums.
• Review the fixed asset clearing account with the property finance team on a monthly basis, to confirm the validity of project related costs to be capitalized to the balance sheet.

Facilities Management

• Oversee facility maintenance strategies and property condition assessments. Support building management functions and ensure assets remain fit for purpose.
• Provide support to divisional facility managers for various divisional maintenance tasks as and when necessary.
• Provide support to the Durban and Johannesburg Building Managers (offices) for project related or maintenance related tasks, as and when required.

Legal, Regulatory & Compliance Management

• Maintain working knowledge of municipal by-laws, land use regulations, building regulations, environmental legislation, environmental authorisations, permit requirements, waste and stormwater obligations, contract law and occupational health and safety requirements applicable to civil works, facility development and property management.
• Ensure projects are planned and executed in line with legal requirements, environmental controls and recognised industry best practices.

Environmental Management & Industry Best Practice

• Embed environmental considerations into project planning, design, procurement and construction execution.
• Ensure environmental risks, approvals, mitigation measures, contractor controls and site practices are appropriately managed.
• Promote sustainable, safe and compliant project delivery consistent with applicable legislation, engineering standards and industry best-practice principles.

Procurement & Contract Administration

• Prepare tender documentation, evaluate submissions, manage contracts, oversee consultants and service providers, and ensure procurement governance compliance.
• Monitor contractual obligations, deliverables, milestones, consultant performance, contractor performance, claims and variations to protect the company’s commercial and operational interests.

Administration & Reporting

• Maintain project records, reporting dashboards, approvals, budgets, risk registers and governance documentation. Provide executive reporting on project performance.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, tenants, authorities and external service providers. Manage project communications and issue resolution

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Qualification / s

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Build Environment, Property Development, or related engineering discipline.

Experience

• A minimum of 8 years’ experience managing civil infrastructure, construction, property development and facilities projects, including roads, earthworks, stormwater, utilities, buildings, yards, warehouses or similar operational infrastructure.
• Proven experience in managing consultants, contractors, professional teams, project budgets, cost forecasts, variations, claims, scope changes and project governance is required.
• Practical knowledge of civil works, construction methodologies, environmental legislation, health and safety requirements, cost management and consultant-led project delivery is essential.

Travel Requirements

• Regular travel within South Africa and Africa as required. Valid passport and driver licence required.

Core Competencies

• Project Management and Project Governance
• Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Knowledge
• Strategic Planning and Execution
• Budget Management and Cost Control
• Commercial Acumen and Value Engineering
• Consultant Fee Control, Variation Management and Claims Review
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance Knowledge
• Environmental Legislation and Environmental Risk Management
• Contract Administration and Procurement Management
• Consultant and Contractor Management
• Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building
• Negotiation and Influencing Skills
• Risk Management and Problem Solving
• Strong Administrative and Reporting Skills
• Leadership, Coaching and Team Development
• Communication and Presentation Skills
• Attention to Detail and Quality Assurance
• Decision Making and Accountability

Due consideration will be given to the company’s equity targets.

Please note that the position has been opened to internal and external candidates. Applications close 16 August 2026.