SUMMARY:
Residence Manager Jobs Cape Town | Live-In Position | Student Accommodation | Student Housing Management
Lead a Residence. Build a Community. Make a Difference in Students' Lives.
Are you an experienced Residence Manager, Student Accommodation Manager, Residence Life Manager or Hospitality Operations professional who is passionate about creating a safe, welcoming and engaging living environment for students?
A leading Student Accommodation Provider in Cape Town is seeking an experienced, hands-on Residence Manager to oversee the daily operations, student experience, facilities coordination and community engagement activities within a student residence.
This is a LIVE-IN POSITION, ideal for a professional who enjoys working directly with students, managing residential operations and creating a positive residence community.
The successful candidate will combine strong operational management skills with student engagement, conflict resolution, wellbeing support and property administration to ensure the residence operates efficiently while providing an exceptional student living experience.
About the Role
As the Residence Manager, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day management of a student accommodation facility, ensuring that operational standards, student wellbeing, residence policies and community engagement initiatives are effectively maintained.
You will serve as a key point of contact for residents, coordinate facilities and maintenance requirements, manage student-related incidents and support the delivery of residence programmes that promote a positive student experience.
The role requires a professional who is comfortable living on-site, responding to operational challenges, supporting students and maintaining a safe, inclusive and well-managed residential environment.
POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities
- Student Residence Operations & Property Management
- Oversee the daily operations of the student accommodation residence.
- Coordinate maintenance, cleaning, security and general facilities services.
- Ensure the residence is maintained to appropriate health, safety and operational standards.
- Monitor compliance with fire safety regulations and residence procedures.
- Manage student check-ins, check-outs and room allocations.
- Support lease administration and residence occupancy management.
- Monitor vacancies and assist with occupancy optimisation.
- Coordinate with maintenance teams, contractors and service providers.
- Conduct regular residence inspections and report maintenance requirements.
- Ensure a clean, safe, secure and welcoming living environment.
- Student Experience & Community Engagement
- Develop and implement student engagement programmes and residence activities.
- Plan social, cultural, educational and community-building events.
- Create and maintain a student activities and engagement calendar.
- Encourage student participation in residence programmes.
- Promote an inclusive and respectful residential community.
- Build positive relationships with students and relevant stakeholders.
- Support initiatives that improve student satisfaction and residence life.
- Encourage responsible behaviour and adherence to residence policies.
- Student Support, Wellbeing & Conflict Resolution
- Act as the first point of contact for student concerns and residence-related emergencies.
- Provide appropriate support to students experiencing accommodation-related challenges.
- Manage student incidents, complaints and follow-up procedures.
- Mediate disputes between residents professionally and fairly.
- Enforce residence rules and disciplinary procedures consistently.
- Identify student wellbeing concerns and refer students to appropriate support services.
- Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive student matters.
- Support a safe and supportive student living environment.
- Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
- Maintain effective communication with students, residence staff and management.
- Manage student communication channels, including WhatsApp groups and digital platforms.
- Communicate important operational updates, residence rules and event information.
- Address student queries promptly and professionally.
- Build cooperative relationships with internal departments and external stakeholders.
- Support positive relationships between residents and the accommodation provider.
- Residence Administration, Reporting & Budget Support
- Maintain accurate student records and accommodation information.
- Monitor and report on occupancy levels, room allocations and vacancies.
- Maintain incident registers, maintenance logs and operational records.
- Prepare regular residence management and operational reports.
- Assist with budgeting, expenditure monitoring and cost control.
- Maintain accurate administrative records and supporting documentation.
- Ensure compliance with company policies and reporting requirements.
Minimum Qualifications & ExperienceCandidates should meet the following requirements:
- Diploma or Degree in Social Work, Education, Hospitality, Business Management, Property Management or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years' experience in Student Accommodation, Student Housing, Hospitality, Residence Management or a community-focused environment.
- Strong understanding of student residence operations and student support requirements.
- Experience managing student-related incidents, complaints and conflict resolution.
- Strong communication, administration and organisational skills.
- Ability to coordinate residence operations and service providers.
- Comfortable working in a live-in residence management position.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital communication platforms.
Advantageous Experience- Previous experience in Property Management or Facilities Management.
- Experience in university residences, private student accommodation or purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
- First Aid certification.
- Valid driver's licence.
- Experience using CRM systems or student accommodation management platforms.
Key Skills & CompetenciesThe ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Student Accommodation Management
- Residence Operations Management
- Student Engagement & Residence Life
- Student Wellbeing & Support
- Conflict Resolution & Mediation
- Crisis & Incident Management
- Facilities & Maintenance Coordination
- Occupancy & Room Allocation Management
- Lease Administration
- Community Engagement & Event Planning
- Tenant & Resident Relations
- Health & Safety Compliance
- Budgeting & Operational Reporting
- Stakeholder Communication
- Emotional Intelligence & Problem-Solving
- Strong Administrative & Organisational Skills
Why Consider This Opportunity?- Join a growing student accommodation organisation.
- Take ownership of the operations and student experience within a residence.
- Make a meaningful contribution to student wellbeing and community development.
- Gain exposure to residence operations, facilities management and student engagement.
- Work in a dynamic environment where every day brings new opportunities.
- Develop your career within student housing and property management.
Location & Working ArrangementsCape Town, Western Cape, South AfricaPosition: Full-Time | Live-In Residence Manager
Important: The successful candidate must be willing and able to reside on-site at the student accommodation facility.
Apply TodayAre you passionate about student accommodation, residence management and creating an environment where students feel safe, supported and connected?
If you have the experience, leadership ability and commitment to student wellbeing needed to manage a successful student residence, we would love to hear from you.
