Senior Private Estate & Operations Manager

O'Brien Recruitment; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

O'Brien Recruitment seeks a senior Operations Manager for luxury private properties in the Western Cape. You will oversee daily property operations, manage budgets, lead housekeeping and maintenance staff, and ensure superior service and presentation across multiple estates.

You will establish procedures, monitor performance, coordinate contractors, and drive efficiency while reporting on financial performance and upkeep schedules.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in luxury private property management or high-end hospitality operations.
• 3+ years in a senior operational leadership role.
• Strong budgeting, expenditure monitoring and cost-control experience.
• Proven ability to lead staff and maintain accountability.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting.
• Willingness to travel within the Western Cape.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations, upkeep and presentation of high-end private properties.
• Develop, manage and monitor operational budgets with sound financial control.
• Lead, coordinate and manage household, maintenance and property support personnel.
• Establish clear operational procedures, staff responsibilities and performance standards.
• Plan and oversee preventative maintenance programmes, repairs and property improvements.
• Manage contractors, service providers, supplier relationships and procurement.
• Ensure exceptional standards of property presentation, housekeeping and service delivery.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement cost-effective improvements.
• Prepare monthly financial, expenditure and operational reports.
• Maintain property records, maintenance schedules and documentation.
• Anticipate challenges and implement proactive solutions.
• Ensure seamless property operations with minimal supervision.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Staff management

Financial reporting

Excel

English communication

Driver's license

Travel flexibility

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations, upkeep and presentation of high-end private properties.
• Develop, manage and monitor operational budgets, ensuring sound financial control and effective cost management.
• Lead, coordinate and manage household, maintenance and property support personnel.
• Establish clear operational procedures, staff responsibilities and performance standards.
• Plan and oversee preventative maintenance programmes, repairs and property improvements.
• Manage contractors, service providers, supplier relationships and procurement.
• Ensure consistently exceptional standards of property presentation, housekeeping and service delivery.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement practical, cost-effective improvements.
• Prepare accurate monthly financial, expenditure and operational reports.
• Maintain comprehensive property records, maintenance schedules and operational documentation.
• Anticipate potential challenges and implement proactive solutions.
• Ensure seamless property operations with minimal supervision.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' relevant experience in luxury private property management, exclusive residential estates or high-end hospitality operations.
• At least 3 years' proven experience in a management or senior operational leadership role.
• Strong financial management experience, including budgeting, expenditure monitoring, cost control and financial reporting.
• Proven ability to lead staff, manage performance and maintain accountability.
• Sound knowledge of property maintenance, preventative maintenance planning and contractor management.
• Exceptional organisational, planning and multitasking abilities.
• Strong computer literacy, particularly Microsoft Excel and reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel within the Western Cape.
• Verifiable professional references.

Experience overseeing multiple properties or managing complex luxury hospitality operations will be highly advantageous.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a confident, highly capable and resourceful professional who takes genuine ownership of their responsibilities.

Someone who can manage people, finances, operational requirements and maintenance programmes with equal competence, while maintaining impeccable standards and attention to detail.

The successful candidate must be proactive rather than reactive, capable of anticipating requirements, resolving challenges independently and ensuring that operations run seamlessly.

A high degree of discretion, integrity, professionalism and accountability is essential.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to assume a senior position within an exclusive private property environment, offering significant operational responsibility, autonomy and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

The role will appeal to an experienced management professional who thrives on responsibility, values excellence and takes pride in delivering consistently exceptional standards.