Regional Operations Manager

SUMMARY:
REGIONAL PROPERTY OPERATIONS MANAGER – STUDENT ACCOMMODATION | DURBAN

Regional Property Operations | Student Housing | Multi-Site Operations | Facilities Management | Asset Management | OPEX & CAPEX | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Lead the Performance of a Multi-Site Student Accommodation Portfolio
An established Student Accommodation Property Management Company is seeking an experienced Regional Property Operations Manager to take responsibility for the operational performance of a portfolio of student accommodation properties across Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

This is a senior, hands-on regional leadership role requiring a strong combination of property operations, facilities management, financial management, asset management, compliance, contractor management and people leadership.
The Regional Property Operations Manager will oversee Residence Managers, Facilities Managers where applicable, and site-based operational teams, ensuring consistent execution, compliance, financial control and a high-quality student experience across the portfolio.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities

Regional Property, Building & Asset Management
Take regional accountability for property condition, building performance and asset integrity, including fixed and movable assets.
Maintain accurate asset registers, manage asset lifecycle and replacement cycles, oversee SLAs and ensure preventative and lifecycle maintenance programmes are effectively implemented.
Review building condition across the region, identify asset deterioration risks and motivate refurbishments and major repairs where required.

Financial Management | OPEX | CAPEX | Cost Control
Prepare, consolidate and manage:

• Regional OPEX and CAPEX budgets
• Three-year financial forecasts
• Three-year CAPEX and lifecycle plans
• Monthly income and expenditure
• Operating cost variances
• Municipal recoveries
• Arrears and collections performance

Ensure expenditure is appropriately controlled, procurement frameworks are followed and financial reporting to senior leadership and property owners is accurate.

Compliance, SHEQ & Legal Governance
Maintain regional accountability for compliance with:

• Occupational Health & Safety requirements
• Fire regulations
• SANS and building codes
• Local authority requirements
• University requirements

Ensure statutory records remain accurate and audit-ready, required inspections and evacuation procedures are completed, and material compliance risks are proactively addressed and escalated.

Facilities, Maintenance & Contractor Management
Provide regional oversight of hard and soft facilities services, including cleaning, security and maintenance contractors.
Monitor contractor performance, SLA compliance, service quality and cost effectiveness. Identify recurring defects, contractor underperformance and operational process failures and ensure appropriate corrective action.

Vacate, Intake & Occupancy Management
Own regional vacate and intake planning, control and outcomes.
Review timelines, contractor and resource planning and asset replacement requirements while ensuring plans are compliant, timely and budget aligned.
Monitor occupancy and demand trends across the region and drive year-on-year operational improvements.

Student, Tenant & Stakeholder Management
Drive a consistent and high-quality student and tenant experience across the portfolio.
Support Residence Managers with escalated student complaints, crises and emergency responses while building productive relationships with universities, institutional stakeholders, municipalities and service partners.

People Leadership & Regional Operations
Provide direct leadership to Residence Managers and regional teams.
Drive performance reviews, training plans, corrective action, workforce capacity planning, recruitment, onboarding and succession planning, while creating a culture of accountability, compliance and service excellence.

Strategic Planning, Reporting & Portfolio Growth
Develop and execute regional operational strategies and provide monthly regional reporting across:
Occupancy | Financial Performance | Compliance | Maintenance | Incidents
Support new site launches, expansion projects and portfolio growth initiatives, as well as audits, investigations, special projects and performance interventions.

What We're Looking For

• Degree in Property Management, Facilities Management, Business or related field
• 5–8 years' experience in multi-site property or operations management
• Student Accommodation or Hospitality experience preferred
• Strong leadership and team-management capability
• Strong financial acumen and budgeting expertise
• Multi-site property and facilities operations experience
• Contractor and SLA management
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication
• Conflict resolution and crisis-management skills
• Knowledge of property legislation and student housing trends
• CRM, Microsoft Office and property management software experience
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel between sites
• Familiarity with South African housing regulations and NSFAS policies advantageous
• Sustainability and lifecycle asset-planning experience advantageous.

Relevant Candidate Backgrounds
We are particularly interested in experienced regional or multi-site operational leaders from:

Student Accommodation | Student Housing | Residential Property | Property Management | Hospitality | Hotels | Serviced Apartments | Multi-Site Facilities Management
Candidates should have demonstrated responsibility for multiple properties/sites, operational teams, budgets, facilities, contractors, compliance and service delivery.

Why Consider This Opportunity?
This is an opportunity to take genuine regional ownership of a multi-site student accommodation portfolio in Durban, combining property operations, financial management, facilities, asset management, compliance and people leadership.

The role will suit a commercially aware operational leader who enjoys driving performance across multiple properties, developing teams, improving building standards and delivering an excellent student experience.

📍 Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

 

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