Senior Workspace Planner: Sanlam Facilities and Real Estate

Sanlam; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 450 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services group is seeking an experienced Architectural Designer to establish key relationships, prepare architectural designs, and ensure structural standards are met. This role requires strong skills in workspace planning, with at least 6 years of drafting experience and proficiency in AutoCAD and REVIT. You will collaborate with internal teams to deliver superior designs while adhering to safety regulations and local laws. Join us in building a successful career as part of an inclusive workplace.

Benefits

Opportunities for growth and development

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• At least 6 years' drafting experience.
• Sound knowledge of local and national laws and by‑laws relating to building management.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain key relationships with internal brand stakeholders.
• Prepare plans, drawings, sketches, and models for various sites.
• Conduct site inspections to ensure effective production of plans.
• Develop and prepare architectural designs and drawings.
• Utilize BIM systems to analyze design solutions.

Skills

Workspace planning and design

Team management

Interior design

Architectural design

AutoCAD proficiency

REVIT proficiency

Project management

Education

Relevant qualifications (NQF level 6 or equivalent)

Tools

AutoCAD

REVIT

MS Office

Job description

Who are we?

Sanlam was established as a life insurance company in South Africa but has since transformed into a diversified financial services group that operates across the African continent, India, Malaysia and selected developed markets, with listings on the Johannesburg, A2X and Namibian stock exchanges. In 2018 the Group celebrated its centenary as well as 20 years since demutualisation and listing in South Africa and Namibia. Sanlam is one of the largest internationally active insurance groups in the world with a presence in 31 countries and has the biggest non-banking financial services footprint on the African continent.

The Group's five business clusters (Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz and Santam) house the Group's business operations. The Group Office provides strategic direction and support to the five clusters, assisting them in realising their strategies and meeting their business objectives. The Group Office is responsible for governance and for the Group's centralised functions, which include: Finance, Actuarial, Risk and Balance Sheet Management, Strategy, Human Capital, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability.

What will you do?

Establish and maintain key relationships with internal brand (Marketing), architects, designers, and engineers to discuss design ideas. Develop product designs and present rough design drafts for client approval. Ensure product designs meet required Sanlam Brand requirements, safety regulations and structural standards.

What will make you successful in this role?

• Provide support to the Programme Manager
• Workspace planning and design across the Sanlam Facilities and Real Estate portfolio
• Prepare plans, drawings, sketches and models, as required, for sites and buildings etc and to support design and development proposals
• Carry out site inspections as required to ensure the effective production of plans, drawings, sketches and models
• Responsible for office churn, updating the drawings and manage the drawing studio
• Reproduce and distribute plans, drawings and construction packs as required.
• Maintain all necessary records relating to plans, drawings etc.
• Develop and prepare architectural designs and drawings from preliminary concepts, sketches and specifications
• Create 3-dimensional BIM models for use by various departments and teams
• Utilize BIM (and other systems such as IWMS/ BMS) to analyze potential design solutions for building service clashes
• Produce, organize and distribute all building plans including development permits, building permits issued for construction and site instructions
• Efficiently operate computer-assisted design and drafting workstations
• Complete documentation packages and produce drawing sets based on current project and team needs
• Check and verify design drawings to conform to specifications and design data
• Ensure clients' needs are met in a timely and cost effective manner
• Maintain current knowledge of National and Provincial building codes

Qualification and Experience

• Relevant qualifications (NQF level 6 or equivalent)
• At least 6 years' Drafting experience

Compentencies

• Experience managing and leading teams
• Experience workspace, interior, architectural design
• Experience managing projects and people management skills
• Sound knowledge of AutoCAD and REVIT
• Possess project and people management skills
• Knowledge of local and national laws and by‑laws relating to building management.
• Experience using MS Office package

Knowledge and Skills

Building maintenance Office Equipment Operation Safety Management Reporting and Administration Quality, compliance and accreditation

Personal Attributes

• Interpersonal savvy - Contributing independently
• Decision quality - Contributing independently
• Plans and aligns - Contributing independently
• Optimises work processes - Contributing independently

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Core Competencies

• Cultivates innovation - Contributing independently
• Customer focus - Contributing independently
• Drives results - Contributing independently
• Collaborates - Contributing independently
• Being resilient - Contributing independently

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

The closing date for applications is 16 January 2026.

Our commitment to transformation

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.