Director: Real Estate Management Services

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.

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 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.

How to apply

New to the Z83 form? Read the application guide.

Enquiries

Notes from the department

• Applications must be submitted on the prescribed Z83 application form (obtainable from any Public Service Department or on the DPSA website link: https:/www.dpsa.gov.za/newsroom/psvc/, which must be signed, initialled and dated by the applicant, and must be accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) only.
• Candidates are not required to submit certified copies of qualifications and related documents on application.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualification and other related documents on or before the date of interview, which should not be older than six months.
• Should an application be submitted using incorrect/old Z83 application form, such an application will be disqualified.
• Further take note of the following on completion of Z83 application form:
• PART A and PART B must be fully completed.
• PART C - PART G:
• Noting that there is a limited space provided applicants may refer to CV or indicate.
• This will be acceptable as long as the CV has been attached and provides the required information.
• Page 1 of the Z83 application form must be initialled and page 2 signed and dated by the applicant.
• Failure to comply with the above instructions may result in an application being disqualified.
• Applicants applying for more than one advertised post must submit separate Z83 application forms and CVs in respect to each post being applied for.
• Should an application be received where an applicant has applied for more than one posts on the same Z83 application form, the applicant will be considered for the first post indicated on the Z83 application form only.
• Applications will be received via post/courier services, hand deliveries or email.
• Late applications will not be considered.
• Regulation 57 (c) and 67 (9) of the Public Service Regulations 2016, as amended, requires the executive authority to ensure that he or she is fully satisfied of the claims being made and the finalisation of Personnel Suitability Checks in order to verify claims and check the candidate for purpose of being fit and proper for employment, respectively.
• Shortlisted candidates must be willing to undergo normal vetting and verification processes.
• Note:
• It is the responsibility of all applicants to ensure that foreign qualifications are evaluated by SAQA.
• Due to large volume of responses anticipated, receipt of applications will not be acknowledged, and correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
• Should you not have heard from us within three months from the closing date, please regard your application as unsuccessful.
• Entry level requirements for SMS posts: in terms of the Directive on Human Resource Management and Development on Public Service Professionalisation Volume 1 a requirement for appointment into SMS posts is the successful completion of the Senior Management Pre-Entry programme as endorsed by the National School of Governance (NSG).
• The course is available at the NSG under the name Certificate for entry into SMS and the full details can be obtained by following the below link: https: www.thensg.gov.za/training –course /sms-pre-entry programme/.
• All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments.
• One will be a practical exercise to determine a candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements and the other must be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment.
• All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise and interview.
• Following the technical exercise and interview, a maximum of three (3) SMS candidates will undergo psychometric assessments to assess cognitive capabilities, behavioural preferences, emotional intelligence, and integrity.
• All shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two pre- entry assessments.
• One must be a practical exercise, and the other must be an Integrity (Ethical Conduct) Assessment.
• Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process.
• Note:
• For emailed applications, please submit a Single PDF document or one attachment per application to the email address designated on the specific position.
• Kindly note that the emailed applications and attachments should not exceed 15MB.
• It remains the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that their application is successfully submitted using the required single pdf document.
• Encrypted document will not be accepted.
• All though an email application option is available, applicants are encouraged to hand deliver their application.
• Important:
• Applicants must submit a separate application for each post applied for, clearly indicating the correct reference number and post title on each application.
• Applicants who apply for more than one post must submit a separate application for each post.
• Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the application not being considered.