Utilities Specialist

CBRE Excellerate; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

CBRE Excellerate in South Africa seeks an experienced Head of Real Estate to lead regional growth across Africa. You will oversee acquisitions, disposals, leases and asset management, building partnerships with senior leaders and client organizations to deliver integrated, client-focused outcomes.

The role focuses on utilities management across multiple client accounts, cost optimization, ESG compliance, and reporting, with a strong emphasis on governance, budgeting, and team leadership within

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business studies, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, or Technology
• Grade 12 or equivalent qualification and/or relevant training
• At least 5 years of experience in the utilities technical field
• Strong understanding of South African municipal procedures and accounting practices
• In-depth knowledge of Eskom and municipal tariffs, bylaws, and regulatory frameworks
• Experience in compiling greenhouse gas inventories, carbon footprinting, or carbon audits
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with advanced Excel, and working knowledge of Outlook and Word

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify opportunities for utilities cost savings and recovery optimization across client accounts
• Manage the analysis and reporting of technical data provided by the Accounts Payable team to ensure accurate monthly reporting, anomaly detection, and ESG compliance
• Collaborate with Utilities Managers, Financial Controllers, Council Liaison Teams, and the Energy & Sustainability team to plan, coordinate, and oversee the implementation and tracking of optimization projects
• Maintain detailed benefit tracking for all identified utilities optimization initiatives
• Develop and improve systems, processes, and reporting mechanisms to support client-specific utilities service level agreements (SLAs)
• Assist in defining user system specifications and lead the development, management, and troubleshooting of systems to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce duplication of effort
• Identify training needs and deliver training sessions to ensure effective use of systems and adherence to best practices
• Support the preparation of budgeting and forecasting for metered utility recoveries
• Lead and manage teams responsible for utility recovery processes within the Portfolio Services division
• Build and maintain strong relationships with municipal creditors and internal teams, providing regular updates on tariffs, municipal bylaws, and account information

Skills

Data analysis

Communication skills

Planning and organization

Problem solving

Financial acumen

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Studies / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies / Technology

Grade 12 or equivalent qualification and/or relevant training

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Who We Are

We are the market leader in commercial real estate services and investments and provide an integrated suite of high-quality real estate services to our clients across Africa and the Middle East, including facilities management, advisory & transaction services, project management.

Gauteng

South Africa

Who We Are

We are the market leader in commercial real estate services and investments and provide an integrated suite of high-quality real estate services to our clients across Africa and the Middle East, including facilities management, advisory & transaction services, project management.

We support predominantly corporate clients who buy services on a contracted basis all across the Middle East and Africa - even globally, depending on their portfolio.

Our client is a rapidly expanding Christian church with a large and diverse property portfolio across Africa. The organization is seeking an experienced Head of Real Estate to lead its regional real estate expansion, ensuring the strategic and efficient management of acquisitions, disposals, leases, and overall asset management.

Why choose us

Imagine more than just the future of work; with CBRE Excellerate, you can create it. As part of our global powerhouse, you'll find a culture that fosters an entrepreneurial mindset, where your best work is not just encouraged but celebrated. Collaborate with talented individuals, harness the support of unparalleled resources, and enjoy the journey as you grow both personally and professionally.

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced professional to lead and oversee the delivery of Utilities Specialist services across multiple client accounts within our Utilities and Portfolio Services divisions. In this role, you will be responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating all operational functions to ensure seamless and high-quality service delivery. A key focus will be on building strong partnerships and maintaining effective relationships with senior leaders—both internally and within client organizations to support integrated, cohesive, and client-focused outcomes.

CBRE Excellerate is committed to striving for diversity and equitable representation in our workforce. Preference may thus be given to suitably qualified candidates as identified in our employment equity plan. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

What You Will Bring

• A bachelor's degree in business studies/Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies/Technology.
• A minimum of Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification and/or relevant training.
• At least 5 years of experience in the utilities technical field.
• Solid understanding of South African municipal procedures and accounting practices.
• In-depth knowledge of Eskom and municipal tariffs, bylaws, and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience in compiling greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, carbon foot printing, or conducting carbon audits.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with advanced skills in Excel, and working knowledge of Outlook and Word.

Additional Demonstrable Requirements

• Strong data analysis and reporting capabilities, particularly in the context of utilities and sustainability metrics.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational abilities.
• Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Financial and business acumen with a keen attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.

What You Will Be Doing

• Proactively identify opportunities for utilities cost savings and recovery optimization across client accounts.
• Manage the analysis and reporting of technical data provided by the Accounts Payable team to ensure accurate monthly reporting, anomaly detection, and ESG compliance.
• Collaborate with Utilities Managers, Financial Controllers, Council Liaison Teams, and the Energy & Sustainability team to plan, coordinate, and oversee the implementation and tracking of optimization projects.
• Maintain detailed benefit tracking for all identified utilities optimization initiatives.
• Develop and improve systems, processes, and reporting mechanisms to support client-specific utilities service level agreements (SLAs).
• Assist in defining user system specifications and lead the development, management, and troubleshooting of systems to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce duplication of effort.
• Identify training needs and deliver training sessions to ensure effective use of systems and adherence to best practices.
• Support the preparation of budgeting and forecasting for metered utility recoveries.
• Lead and manage teams responsible for utility recovery processes within the Portfolio Services division.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with municipal creditors and internal teams, providing regular updates on tariffs, municipal bylaws, and account information.

If you are passionate about driving operational excellence in utilities management, thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, and bring a strong combination of technical knowledge and leadership skills, we would love to hear from you. Join us and be part of a team that values innovation, sustainability, and making a measurable impact across the region. Your expertise can help shape smarter, more efficient solutions for our clients—