The University comprises six diverse Faculties:
- Accounting and Informatics
- Applied Science
- Arts & Design
- Engineering and the Built Environment
- Health Sciences
- Management Sciences
DUT also includes a Business School and the award-winning Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), amongst other research centres and institutes, reinforcing its role as a hub for knowledge, innovation and societal impact. Over the years, the University substantially grown its research output, dominating the UoT sector. This is evidenced by the steady increase of NRF-rated researchers and the notable, unprecedented award of seven NRF SARCHi Chairs in 2025. This impetus helps us to remain deeply engaged with our communities glocally, thereby transforming societies and economies.
At DUT, we believe in nurturing talent and empowering people to make a real difference. If you are passionate about contributing to education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and engagement, DUT offers the ideal environment - Creative. Distinctive. Impactful.
Real Estate Management
Post: Senior Director: Real Estate Management
Reference Number: 30000092
FIVE YEAR FIXED TERM CONTRACT (RENEWABLE)
Minimum Requirements:
- Master's Degree in Property Management, Built Environment, Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Facilities Management, Real Estate, Business Management, or a related field.
- Minimum 10-12 years' senior management experience in real estate management, facilities management, infrastructure development, or a related environment.
Key responsibilities:
Strategic Real Estate and Infrastructure Leadership
- Develop and implement the University's Real Estate Management Strategy in alignment with institutional strategic objectives.
- Lead long-term infrastructure, facilities, transport, and property planning initiatives.
- Drive integrated campus development and space optimization strategies.
- Ensure alignment between infrastructure investment priorities and institutional growth plans.
- Provide strategic leadership on estate sustainability, operational resilience, and infrastructure modernization.
- Advise Executive Management and governance structures on infrastructure and estate-related risks, opportunities, and investment priorities.
- Produce and maintain approved REM strategic and operational plans that guide divisional direction and resource allocation in line with institutional priorities.
Infrastructure Projects and Capital Programme Oversight
- Oversee the planning, execution, monitoring, and governance of capital infrastructure projects.
- Ensure projects are delivered within approved scope, budget, quality, and timelines.
- Monitor contractor performance, professional service providers, and project governance compliance.
- Lead infrastructure risk management and project assurance processes.
- Ensure alignment with statutory, regulatory, health and safety, and procurement requirements.
- Drive infrastructure sustainability and lifecycle management practices.
- Ensure the successful delivery of capital projects within approved scope, budget, quality standards, and timelines through rigorous programme management.
Facilities and Maintenance Management
- Lead the strategic maintenance and operational management of all University facilities and infrastructure assets.
- Ensure preventative and corrective maintenance programmes are implemented effectively.
- Drive facilities operational efficiency, service standards, and contractor management.
- Ensure infrastructure reliability, safety, compliance, and business continuity.
- Monitor facilities performance, maintenance budgets, and service delivery KPIs.
- Oversee outsourced facilities management services.
- Achieve measurable improvement in infrastructure reliability and maintenance turnaround times across all campuses through structured maintenance planning.
Property, Space Planning and Asset Optimisation
- Lead institutional property management and real estate planning initiatives.
- Oversee leasing, tenant management, commercial property arrangements, and space utilisation.
- Ensure optimal use of institutional property assets and facilities.
- Drive campus planning and development initiatives.
- Lead property-related governance, compliance, and contractual management.
- Support strategic expansion and infrastructure acquisition initiatives.
- Produce space utilisation reports that identify opportunities to optimise the use of institutional facilities and inform future campus planning decisions.
Governance, Risk Management and Compliance
- Ensure sound governance, risk management, and compliance across the REM portfolio.
- Lead infrastructure-related risk identification, mitigation, and reporting
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, policies, and regulatory frameworks.
- Drive audit readiness and corrective action management.
- Develop and implement governance frameworks, SOPs, and controls.
- Monitor contractor and service provider compliance.
- Achieve a measurable reduction in audit findings through proactive governance controls, corrective action management, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Leadership, Financial and Stakeholder Management
- Lead and manage multidisciplinary teams across the REM portfolio.
- Develop leadership capability and performance accountability within the division.
- Manage divisional budgets, expenditure, and financial sustainability initiatives.
- Build and sustain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Lead negotiations with contractors, consultants, and service providers.
- Promote a service-oriented, ethical, and high-performance organisational culture.
- Demonstrate effective budget management through accurate forecasting, disciplined expenditure control, and timely financial reporting to governance structures.
Transport and Logistics Governance
- Provide strategic oversight of institutional transport and logistics operations.
- Ensure safe, efficient, and compliant fleet and transport management services.
- Oversee student transport services and logistics planning across campuses.
- Ensure fleet optimisation, vehicle lifecycle management, and cost efficiency.
- Monitor transport risk management, safety compliance, and operational performance.
- Achieve measurable improvement in transport service efficiency through performance monitoring, service reviews, and continuous operational improvement.
- Optimise fleet utilisation and manage transport costs within approved budgets through lifecycle planning and effective contractor oversight.
Salary: Market related
Contact Person: Ms. Z.J. Ngcobo
Status of Position: Five-year fixed term contract
Applications should include:
- A fully completed prescribed application form which can be obtained from ac.za (under the QUICK LINKS tab - @careers)
- A detailed curriculum vita (explicitly stating experience or knowledge in the above-mentioned fields)
- Covering Letter
- Copies of all relevant academic records and certificates
- ID Copy
- Matric Certificate
- Current contact information of referees
Please note:
While the DUT strives to ensure equal opportunities, preference will be given to suitable candidates in accordance with the University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy and aligned to its strategic objectives.
The Durban University of Technology reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Correspondence will only be made with shortlisted candidates. If you do not receive communication from the University, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Successful candidates will be subject to background checks, including qualification verification, reference checks, criminal record screening, and lifestyle audits for financially related positions. Submission of an application constitutes consent to these checks. The University may also require psychometric or other assessments where justified by the requirements of the position.