About the Role
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is seeking a Director: Real Estate Management Services to be based at the Cape Town Regional Office. In this pivotal role, you will lead a multidisciplinary team, ensuring optimal management of state properties and real estate in the Western Cape. Your leadership will directly contribute to community development and the effective functioning of public services in South Africa, fostering environments that are safe, accessible, and productive for all citizens.
This role is vital to the community as it ensures that public assets are managed efficiently and responsibly. By overseeing the entire lifecycle of property management, from leasing to maintenance, you will help guarantee that state properties serve their intended purpose, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for residents in Cape Town and beyond.
About the Department
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure plays a crucial role in the management and maintenance of government properties across South Africa. Its mission is to ensure the efficient use of state resources, supporting economic growth and social development. Working within this department means being part of a team dedicated to making a tangible difference in the communities it serves, promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable practices in public service.
What You’ll Do
- Develop and implement a Directorate operating plan aligned with departmental strategy, ensuring clear targets and service standards.
- Lead and inspire a diverse team, fostering a high-performance culture while ensuring compliance with PFMA and property legislation.
- Oversee the complete leasing and tenancy management lifecycle, ensuring tenant satisfaction and regulatory compliance.
- Manage state property portfolios, ensuring optimal utilisation and maintenance of assets, including vacant land.
- Direct acquisition and disposal processes in line with national priorities, ensuring transparency and compliance.
- Maintain an accurate Immovable Asset Register, ensuring data integrity and audit readiness.
- Build and nurture relationships with stakeholders, facilitating effective collaboration across various departments.
- Oversee budget management and ensure compliance with supply chain management processes.
- Recruit, develop, and manage staff to build a skilled and engaged team focused on continuous improvement.
What You’ll Need
- A minimum of NQF level 7 qualification in Real Estate Management, Property Management, Immovable Asset Management, or Built Environment.
- At least 5 years of experience in a middle or senior managerial role within real estate or property management.
- Proven track record in leading teams to deliver measurable outcomes, such as timely lease renewals and cost optimisation.
- Strong understanding of public sector legislation and compliance requirements, including GIAMA and PFMA.
- Excellent leadership, financial management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel and work extended hours as necessary.
How to Apply
Email Applications for the position of Director: Real Estate Management Services must be submitted to the relevant address below.
Requirements
A minimum qualification at NQF level 7 as recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) in Real Estate Management/ Property Management/ Immovable Asset Management or Built Environment.A minimum 5 years of experience at a middle/senior managerial level in real estate/property/immovable asset management and leading multidisciplinary teams across leasing, portfolio/asset acquisition/disposal, and/or facilities operations.
An NQF 08 (Honours/Postgraduate) qualification in the above fields and more than 5 years direct middle/ senior management experience as specified above will serve as an added advantage).
Leadership & Delivery: Demonstrated track record of managing teams to deliver measurable portfolio outcomes (e.
g.
, timely lease renewals, cost optimisation, improved occupancy and condition, compliant disposals, accurate asset registers).
Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel and work extended hours as needed.
Security clearance will be required.
Ability and willingness to adjust work hours to meet professional and organisational imperatives.
Other added advantage: Relevant professional registration in built sector or property related and private sector property management or immovable asset management experience.
Knowledge: Legislation & Compliance: GIAMA, PFMA, Treasury Regulations/Instructions, PPPFA, OHS Act, Public Service Act & Regulations, MISS, SPLUMA, Deeds Registries Act, Municipal Property Rates Act, and relevant State Land Disposal and property transaction frameworks.
Property Practice: Leasing and tenant administration, acquisitions, disposals, servitudes, estates, portfolio/asset performance, facilities maintenance, contract/vendor management.
Public Sector Governance: Budget management, SCM, audit & assurance, risk & internal control, HRM and labour relations, service delivery improvement and transformation.
Skills: Strategic planning & execution.
People leadership & performance management.
Programme/portfolio & project management.
Contract, lease and vendor management.
Financial management & cost optimisation.
Risk, compliance & quality assurance.
Stakeholder management and negotiation.
Advanced report writing & presentation.
Data & systems proficiency (asset registers, property information systems, BI dashboards).
Problem solving, decision-making and change management.
Personal Attributes: Outcomes-driven, innovative and resourceful.
High integrity and resilience under pressure.
Strong interpersonal influence and relationship-building.
Analytical, decisive and detail-attentive.
Able to set high standards, coach teams and drive continuous improvement.
Job Duties
Functional Leadership & Governance: Translate departmental strategy into a Directorate operating plan with clear targets, service standards and risks.Lead a multidisciplinary team and establish a high-performance culture, with robust internal controls, SOPs, and compliance to PFMA/Treasury and property legislation.
Outcomes: Consistent delivery against APP/operational targets; clean governance, reduced audit findings, on-time reporting.
Leasing & Tenancy Management: Oversee the end-to-end lease lifecycle (sourcing, contracting, renewals, terminations, rent reviews, escalations, recoveries).
Ensure tenant satisfaction, accessibility, and regulatory compliance (incl.
OHS).
Outcomes: On-time renewals and cost-effective leases; accurate 105 billing/recoveries; improved client feedback.
Portfolio & State Property Management (incl.
Vacant Land): Drive optimal utilisation and maintenance across state-owned properties; ensure security for vacant/unimproved assets.
Direct property condition assessments, maintenance plans and operational/financial reporting (e.
g.
, occupancy, condition, costs).
Outcomes: Reduced downtime & backlog; improved asset condition and utilisation; cost and energy efficiency gains.
Acquisition, Disposal & Servitudes: Manage transparent, compliant acquisitions and disposals aligned to GIAMA, national priorities and applicable reform programmes.
Lead due diligence (ownership, zoning, valuations), transaction approvals and transfer processes.
Outcomes: Timeous, compliant transactions; disposal pipeline progressed; value-for- money and strategic alignment demonstrated.
Asset Register & Information Integrity: Ensure a complete, accurate and auditable Immovable Asset Register; integrate with portfolio systems and reporting.
Maintain data quality, reconciliations and audit readiness; produce BI dashboards and insights for decision-making.
Outcomes: Improved data integrity and audit outcomes; reliable portfolio intelligence to guide planning and budgeting.
Client & Stakeholder Management: Build strong relationships with user departments, provincial/municipal partners and service providers.
Resolve operational issues proactively; lead cross-functional collaboration and transversal initiatives.
Outcomes: Faster turnaround times, fewer escalations, aligned accommodation solutions and better regional coordination.
Financial Stewardship & SCM Compliance: Manage the Directorate’s budget, cash flows and cost drivers; ensure SCM processes are compliant and timely.
Oversee creditors/debtors, rental collections/recoveries and contract performance.
Outcomes: Spend within allocation; improved cost-to-serve; reduced irregular/fruitless/wasteful expenditure.
People Management & Capability Building: Recruit, develop and performance-manage staff; drive learning, coaching, and sound labour relations.
Embed discipline, ethics, wellbeing, and effective communication.
Outcomes: Skilled, engaged team; improved productivity and retention; succession and bench strength in critical roles.
Standards, Improvement & Innovation: Monitor changes in legislation and professional standards; update policies/SOPs and implement process improvements.
Introduce digital tools and pragmatic innovations to improve quality, speed and compliance.
Outcomes: Shorter cycle times, fewer defects, better client outcomes, continuous improvement culture.
