Regional Property Operations Manager

Ability Executive Recruitment; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Ability Executive Recruitment is seeking a Regional Property Operations Manager for Durban, South Africa. You will oversee end-to-end operations, budgeting, compliance, asset management, and service delivery across multiple student accommodation properties.

The role requires 5–8 years in multi-site property or operations management, knowledge of SA housing regulations, and willingness to travel. You will lead regional teams, manage contractors, and ensure a high-quality student experience.

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 or hospitality preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel between sites.
• Familiarity with South African housing regulations and NSFAS policies is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for end-to-end operational, financial, compliance, asset, people, and service delivery performance of a portfolio of student accommodation properties.
• Hold regional accountability for property condition, building performance, and asset integrity across the region.
• Ensure compliance with OHS Act, SANS/building codes, and university requirements; maintain audit-ready records.

Skills

People management

Budgeting

Contractor management

Education

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

Job description

Ability Executive Recruitment | Full time

Regional Property Operations Manager

Durban, South Africa | Posted on 28/09/2026

The Regional Property Operations Manager is accountable for the end-to-end operational, financial, compliance, asset, people, and service delivery performance of a portfolio of student accommodation properties within a defined geographic region.

• compliance with legislation, SOPs, and university requirements
  
• financial control and budget performance
  
• high-quality student experience
  
• effective people and contractor management
  

Property, Building & Asset Management

• Hold regional accountability for:
  
• property condition
  
• building performance
  
• asset integrity (fixed & movable)
  
• maintains accurate asset registers
  
• manages asset lifecycle, replacement cycles and SLAs
  
• implements preventative and lifecycle maintenance programmes
  
• Review building status/grades annually across the region
  
• Investigate and motivate refurbishments and major repairs
  
• Maintain regional oversight of:
  

Compliance, SHEQ & Legal Governance

• Regional accountability for compliance with:
  
• OHS Act
  
• SANS and building codes
  
• Local authority and university requirements
  
• Ensure:
  
• monthly OHS inspections are completed by RMs
  
• fire drills and evacuation procedures are conducted as required
  
• statutory records are accurate and audit-ready
  
• Intervene directly where compliance risk is identified
  
• Escalate material risks to the PE
  

Financial Management, Budgeting & Cost Control Prepare, consolidate and manage:

• regional OPEX and CAPEX budgets
  
• 3-year CAPEX and lifecycle plans
  
• Review and assess:
  
• monthly income and expenses
  
• arrears and collections performance
  
• Approve expenditure within delegated authority levels
  
• follow procurement frameworks
  
• control stock and consumables
  
• recover costs per lease terms
  
• Ensure financial reporting accuracy to PE and owners
  

Vacate, Intake & Occupancy Governance

Own regional vacate and intake planning, control and outcome

• Submit:
  
• compliant and timely plans
  
• budget-aligned vacancy strategies
  
• Review and validate:
  
• timelines
  
• contractor and resource planning
  
• asset replacement needs
  
• Facilitate and review:
  
• regional vacate/intake close-out reports
  
• year-on-year performance improvements
  
• Track occupancy and demand trends across region
  

Facilities, Maintenance & Contractor Oversight

• Regional oversight of:
  
• hard and soft services
  
• cleaning, security, maintenance contractors
  
• Ensure contractor performance, cost effectiveness and SLA adherence
  
• Authorise contractor payments within authority
  
• Identify and address:
  
• process failures
  

Tenant, Student & Stakeholder Management

Ensure consistent tenant and student experience across the region

• Support RMs with:
  
• escalated student complaints
  
• crisis or emergency response
  
• Maintain productive relationships with:
  
• universities
  
• institutional stakeholders
  
• service partners
  
• Promote goodwill and protect company reputation
  

People Management & HR Accountability

Direct line management of RMs and regional teams

• Ensure:
  
• performance reviews
  
• training plans
  
• corrective action
  
• workforce capacity planning
  
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and succession planning
  
• Drive a culture of accountability, compliance and service excellence
  

Operational Execution & Daily Control

Provide regional direction and control of daily operations

• Ensure RMs:
  
• follow SOPs and business rules
  
• maintain accurate reporting
  
• address risks proactively
  
• Step in operationally when required, based on regional need
  

Strategic Planning, Reporting & Growth Support

• Develop and execute regional operational strategies
  
• Submit monthly regional reports covering:
  
• occupancy
  
• compliance
  
• maintenance
  
• Support:
  
• new site launches
  
• expansion projects
  

Ad-Hoc & Business Support

• Support PE and COO with:
  
• special projects
  
• investigations
  
• audits
  
• performance interventions
  
• Respond flexibly to operational demands
  

Requirements

• 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 or hospitality preferred
  
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel between sites
  
• Familiarity with South African housing regulations and NSFAS policies is a plus