Operations Manager

Trafalgar Birdhaven is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to join their team at a well-established Retirement Estate on the West Rand.

This person will be responsible for the appearance and upkeep of the estate’s common property and for managing the related subcontracted service providers. This includes statutory and estate-based rules governing all construction, upgrade and repairs activities whether initiated by residents or by the HOA.

Key Responsibilities
- General control over the upkeep and maintenance of common areas on the estate.
- Ensure that all private open spaces are maintained to the required standards prescribed by the HOA.
- Ensure that the estate meets all the prescribed environmental requirements - whether at statutory or estate level
- Source and manage service delivery from approved contracted service providers.
- Ensure that all service providers meet the performance standards in terms of their SLA and impose penalties in terms thereof when necessary.
- Manage maintenance staff, job card system list and storerooms.
- Managing stock levels and tool boxes.
- Projects (e.g. road upgrades, gardens, storm water, etc)
- Identify and propose required ad hoc projects to ensure the upkeep of HOA assets, including roads, stormwater, dams, structures etc.
- Accepts responsibility for and manages projects mandated by HOA.
- Implementing emergency plans and fire guidelines and management of fires in the estate.
- Sources and recommends preferred contractors and obtains approval from the Board.
- Conducts a weekly inspection of the entire estate.
- Minimize HOA spending on items that can be repaired or maintained in house.
- Operational reporting
- Attend all HOA meetings and present the necessary reports to the HOA.
- Provide input to the annual budgets in respect of planned developments, projects, maintenance and repairs.
- Ensuring compliance with statutory regulations and requirements.
- Ensure the estate’s assets are fire compliant.
- Ensure that service providers comply fully with all statutory regulations and requirements in terms of the OHS Act.
- Obtains the necessary documentation and certificates to confirm compliance.
- Conducts audits from time to time to ensure ongoing compliance.
- Liaises with the local Council authorities regarding Municipal Services (water, sewerage and electricity).
- Liaises with the JRA regarding the external roads around the perimeter of the estate.
- Assist estate manager with contractor’s compliance
- Assist to ensure contractors on the estate comply with the prescribed estate and contractors’ rules.
- Assist in making sure any common property is installed correctly and private installations have been approved by the necessary committee before installation occurs.

Skills & knowledge
- Basic IT skills - MS desktop programs. (e.g. MS Word, Excel)
- Good technical ability on construction sites and on the estate in general
- Negotiation skills
- Good interpersonal skills - necessary in dealing with residents, service providers and board members
- Good understanding of environmental issues
- Good understanding of the statutory requirements in various industries
- Good understanding of the issues affecting residential communities

Personal Attributes required for the Job
- Highly energetic. Constantly moving around the estate
- Observant and proactive
- Implementer. Enjoys being close to the action
- Diplomatic. At ease with all hierarchical levels
- Good communicator
- Work ethic
- Decisive, within agreed parameters

Specific requirements for this Job
- Emphasis is on doing - monitors, engages, controls and enforces
- On call 24 /7 as needs arise
- Attendance at evening meetings if required
- Maintain close contact with all contracted service providers
- Experience in working with committees