Head: Sanlam Facilities & Real Estate - Cape Town - ref. d21898515
Date: 15 Jul 2025
Location:
Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA
Company: Sanlam Group
Who are we?
Sanlam was established as a life insurance company in South Africa but has since transformed into a diversified financial services group that operates across the African continent, India, Malaysia and selected developed markets, with listings on the Johannesburg, A2X and Namibian stock exchanges.In 2018 the Group celebrated its centenary as well as 20 years since demutualisation and listing in South Africa and Namibia. Sanlam is one of the largest internationally active insurance groups in the world with a presence in 31 countries and has the biggest non-banking financial services footprint on the African continent.
The Group's five business clusters (Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz and Santam) house the Group's business operations. The Group Office provides strategic direction and support to the five clusters, assisting them in realising their strategies and meeting their business objectives.The Group Office is responsible for governance and for the Group's centralised functions, which include: Finance, Actuarial and Risk Management, Strategy, Human Resources, Market Development and Sustainability.
Purpose of the role
The Head: Sanlam Facilities & Real Estate is a dynamic and experienced leader with a proven track record, responsible for managing Sanlam’s extensive and diverse portfolio of facilities. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, competitive services that meet and align with user requirements.The Sanlam Facilities & Real Estate team is responsible for managing approximately 300,000m² of building infrastructure and associated facilities services that support the Sanlam Group’s operations across South Africa.
The team oversees a wide range of service offerings, including but not limited to: Building Facilities Management, Contracts Management, Real Estate Management, Electrical Mechanical Services, Data Center Management, Catering, Business Support Services, Occupational Health and Safety, Risk Management, Compliance and Self-performed services.
Key responsibilities- Oversee the effective management of all Facilities and Real Estate service offerings, including those delivered through outsourced service providers.
- Lead and manage the Sanlam Facilities & Real Estate (SF&RE) team to ensure high performance and alignment with strategic objectives.
- Manage the SF&RE budget, ensuring sound financial planning, control, and reporting.
- Identify and mitigate risks related to facilities and real estate operations.
- Lead crisis and emergency management efforts, ensuring readiness and effective response.
- Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and standards, including Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) management.
- Oversee and manage facilities-related projects, from planning through to execution.
- Negotiate and manage contracts and service level agreements with vendors and service providers.
- Drive and support change management initiatives within the facilities and real estate environment.
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree with a focus on commercial subjects and/or Facilities Management. A Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification will be considered an added advantage.
- Relevant certifications in Property or Facilities Management, as well as contract administration, will be beneficial.
- At least 8 years of experience in Facilities Management within a medium to large-sized organisation.
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior management role.
- Demonstrated business acumen with a strong commitment to customer service excellence
- In-depth knowledge of the building and construction industry.
- Strong technical expertise across various Facilities Management disciplines.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint.
- Experience in equipment life cycle management.
- Solid understanding of property and contract law.
- Knowledge of data centre infrastructure management.
- Familiarity with relevant laws and regulations governing facilities and real estate.
- Understanding of construction processes, architectural principles, and key systems such as HVAC and electrical infrastructure.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Proven ability to persuade, influence, and negotiate effectively at all levels.
- Strategic and innovative thinker, capable of aligning client vision and strategy with the objectives of the Facilities Department.
- Strong decision-making abilities, balancing short-term priorities with long-term organisational goals.
- Skilled in managing strategic change and driving initiatives to successful outcomes.
- Solid budgeting experience with strong financial and accounting acumen.
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities, with the ability to inspire and manage diverse teams.
- Excellent problem-solving and organisational skills.
- In-depth knowledge of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and experience in managing service and rental contracts.
- Demonstrated leadership and team management experience.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels.
- Proven ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with key stakeholders.
- Strategic and visionary leadership capabilities.
- High ethical standards and integrity.
- Detail-oriented with excellent organisational skills.
- Resilient under pressure, with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
- Strategic thinker with sound business acumen.
- Calm, composed, and able to manage stress effectively.
- Skilled in balancing stakeholder needs and expectations.
- Digital leadership (Tech savvy, Cultivates innovation, Strategic Mindset)
- Agile leadership (Manages ambiguity, Manages complexity, Drives Results)
- Human-centered leadership (Instils trust, Build effective teams, Drives engagement)
Build a successful career with us
We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth.Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.
Our commitment to transformation
The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa.The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.