Regional Operations Manager

Flair TM; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Flair TM in Durban invites a seasoned Regional Property, Building & Asset Manager to own property condition, asset integrity and lifecycle across multiple sites. You will lead hard and soft facilities, manage SLAs, and drive preventative maintenance while coordinating with campus partners.

You will oversee OPEX/CAPEX budgeting, three-year forecasts, and timely financial reporting to leadership and owners, ensuring cost control and compliant procurement.

Qualifications

• Degree in Property Management, Facilities Management, Business or related field.
• 5–8 years' experience in multi-site property or operations management.
• Experience in Student Accommodation, Hospitality or related sectors is advantageous.
• Strong leadership and team-management capability.
• Strong financial acumen and budgeting expertise.

Responsibilities

• Regional accountability for property condition, building performance and asset integrity across multiple sites.
• Maintain asset registers, lifecycle management and replacement cycles with oversight of SLAs.
• Ensure preventative and lifecycle maintenance programmes are effectively implemented.
• Oversee compliance with safety, building codes, local authorities and institutional requirements.
• Provide regional oversight of facilities services, contractor management and cost effectiveness.
• Drive occupancy planning, portfolio optimization and year-on-year operational improvements.
• Lead Residence Managers and regional teams with performance reviews and succession planning.
• Develop and execute regional strategies with monthly reporting across occupancy, financial performance and maintenance.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Contractor management

Communication

Crisis management

Conflict resolution

Multi-site operations

CRM/Software proficiency

Education

Degree in Property Management, Facilities Management, Business or related field

Tools

CRM

Microsoft Office

Property management software

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Regional Property, Building & Asset Management

Take regional accountability for property condition, building performance and asset integrity, including fixed and movable assets.

Maintain accurate asset registers, manage asset lifecycle and replacement cycles, oversee SLAs and ensure preventative and lifecycle maintenance programmes are effectively implemented.

Review building condition across the region, identify asset deterioration risks and motivate refurbishments and major repairs where required.

Financial Management | OPEX | CAPEX | Cost Control

Prepare, consolidate and manage:

• Regional OPEX and CAPEX budgets
• Three-year financial forecasts
• Three-year CAPEX and lifecycle plans
• Monthly income and expenditure
• Operating cost variances
• Municipal recoveries
• Arrears and collections performance

Ensure expenditure is appropriately controlled, procurement frameworks are followed and financial reporting to senior leadership and property owners is accurate.

Compliance, SHEQ & Legal Governance

Maintain regional accountability for compliance with:

• Occupational Health & Safety requirements
• Fire regulations
• SANS and building codes
• Local authority requirements
• University requirements

Ensure statutory records remain accurate and audit-ready, required inspections and evacuation procedures are completed, and material compliance risks are proactively addressed and escalated.

Facilities, Maintenance & Contractor Management

Provide regional oversight of hard and soft facilities services, including cleaning, security and maintenance contractors.

Monitor contractor performance, SLA compliance, service quality and cost effectiveness. Identify recurring defects, contractor underperformance and operational process failures and ensure appropriate corrective action.

Vacate, Intake & Occupancy Management

Own regional vacate and intake planning, control and outcomes.

Review timelines, contractor and resource planning and asset replacement requirements while ensuring plans are compliant, timely and budget aligned.

Monitor occupancy and demand trends across the region and drive year-on-year operational improvements.

Student, Tenant & Stakeholder Management

Drive a consistent and high-quality student and tenant experience across the portfolio.

Support Residence Managers with escalated student complaints, crises and emergency responses while building productive relationships with universities, institutional stakeholders, municipalities and service partners.

People Leadership & Regional Operations

Provide direct leadership to Residence Managers and regional teams.

Drive performance reviews, training plans, corrective action, workforce capacity planning, recruitment, onboarding and succession planning, while creating a culture of accountability, compliance and service excellence.

Strategic Planning, Reporting & Portfolio Growth

Develop and execute regional operational strategies and provide monthly regional reporting across:

Occupancy | Financial Performance | Compliance | Maintenance | Incidents

Support new site launches, expansion projects and portfolio growth initiatives, as well as audits, investigations, special projects and performance interventions.

What We're Looking For

• Degree in Property Management, Facilities Management, Business or related field
• 5–8 years' experience in multi-site property or operations management
• Student Accommodation or Hospitality experience preferred
• Strong leadership and team-management capability
• Strong financial acumen and budgeting expertise
• Multi-site property and facilities operations experience
• Contractor and SLA management
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication
• Conflict resolution and crisis-management skills
• Knowledge of property legislation and student housing trends
• CRM, Microsoft Office and property management software experience
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel between sites
• Familiarity with South African housing regulations and NSFAS policies advantageous
• Sustainability and lifecycle asset-planning experience advantageous.

Relevant Candidate Backgrounds

We are particularly interested in experienced regional or multi-site operational leaders from:

Student Accommodation | Student Housing | Residential Property | Property Management | Hospitality | Hotels | Serviced Apartments | Multi-Site Facilities Management

Candidates should have demonstrated responsibility for multiple properties/sites, operational teams, budgets, facilities, contractors, compliance and service delivery.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to take genuine regional ownership of a multi-site student accommodation portfolio in Durban, combining property operations, financial management, facilities, asset management, compliance and people leadership.

The role will suit a commercially aware operational leader who enjoys driving performance across multiple properties, developing teams, improving building standards and delivering an excellent student experience.

? Durban, KwaZulu-Natal