Cape Town: Operations Support – Student Accommodation posted by The Focus Group

Job Overview

A leading property management division is seeking an Operations Support professional to assist in the administration, technical coordination, and financial oversight of a student accommodation portfolio. The role requires a detail-oriented individual with strong communication, planning, and technical skills to support the efficient management of building assets and service providers.

Key Responsibilities Portfolio Administration

• Manage and file correspondence, documentation, drawings, reports, and task briefs.
• Handle internal and external communications professionally.
• Compile monthly technical services reports and expenditure applications.
• Utilize software for asset management, repairs, and maintenance cost control.
• Participate in property management, development, and service provider meetings.
• Apply HR and industrial relations procedures (Labour Relations Act).
• Implement company policies, technical specifications, and contract terms.
• Manage procurement processes nationally.
• Coordinate audits and submit tenders and proposals for new business.
• Oversee documentation handover for new developments and upgrades.
• Maintain and file electrical compliance certificates.
• Ensure major expenses align with budget timelines.
• Communicate with stakeholders regarding maintenance and service work.
• Ensure contracted services meet service agreement standards.
• Provide reports to Asset Managers and attend monthly portfolio meetings.
• Assist with day-to-day maintenance issues and service contract audits.
• Support compilation of expense schedules, ops cost schedules, and national rates.
• Monitor staff performance and training needs.

Financial Budgeting and Cost Control

• Assist in formulating and managing annual repairs and maintenance budgets.
• Update planned maintenance budgets and control expenditures.
• Manage facilities cost allocation and recovery.
• Expedite orders and invoices and adjudicate tenders/quotations.
• Apply expenditure and authority limits procedures.
• Provide operating cost budgets for new developments.

Technical Support and Service

• Attend property-related meetings and support new developments and inspections.
• Liaise with customers regarding service requests and deficiencies.
• Coordinate with service providers for query resolution and service delivery.
• Ensure fair use of service providers per company policy.
• Liaise with local authorities and government departments.

Maintenance of Building Assets

• Maintain building assets per investment strategy and benchmarks:
  • Mechanical, electrical, civil, structural, security, fire control, garden reticulation, lifts, escalators, and conveyors.
• Conduct annual building condition audits and due diligence surveys.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong communication and time management skills.
• Innovative thinking and process adherence.
• Professional interaction with tenants and landlords.
• Reliability, transparency, and a positive attitude.
• Assertiveness and empathy in client and staff engagement.
• Organizational and planning capabilities.
• High moral standards and motivation.

Skills and Competencies

• Communication, planning, organization, and deadline management.
• Professionalism and leadership by example.
• Sensitivity to operational and human capital needs.
• Ability to foster a productive office environment.

Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12 (Matric) and a relevant Diploma or Degree in Property Studies.
• 13 years of experience in property management.
• Proficiency in MS Office and Excel.
• Strong attention to detail and numerical accuracy.