Account Lead - Data Centre Solutions

Who we are

We are the market leader in commercial real estate services and investments and provide an integrated suite of high-quality real estate services to our clients across Africa and the Middle East, including facilities management, advisory & transaction services, project management. We support predominantly corporate clients who buy services on a contracted basis all across the Middle East and Africa - even globally, depending on their portfolio.

Why choose us

Imagine more than just the future of work; with CBRE Excellerate, you can create it. As part of our global powerhouse, you'll find a culture that fosters an entrepreneurial mindset, where your best work is not just encouraged but celebrated. Collaborate with talented individuals, harness the support of unparalleled resources, and enjoy the journey as you grow both personally and professionally.

About the role

Johannesburg | Site-based | Data Centre Solutions | Travel to Nigeria and Kenya required

We are seeking an experienced Account Lead to join our Data Centre Solutions team in Johannesburg. This is a site-based leadership role responsible for the management, performance and development of a critical environment portfolio across five sites, with travel required to Nigeria and Kenya.

The successful candidate will provide operational, commercial and client leadership across the portfolio, ensuring that contractual commitments are met and exceeded. The role requires a strong customer focus, excellent leadership capability and the ability to maintain trusted relationships with key client stakeholders, regional teams, direct reports and service partners.

This role is ideally suited to a technically strong leader with 5 to 7 years’ experience in critical environments. Data centre experience is considered first prize, and an engineering or technical background is strongly recommended.

What you will bring:

• Minimum of 5 to 7 years’ experience in critical environments, technical facilities management, engineering operations or complex operational service delivery.
• Data centre experience is highly advantageous and would be considered first prize.
• Engineering or technical background strongly recommended; mechanical or electrical engineering experience would be advantageous.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to lead site teams, direct reports, contractors and service providers across multiple locations.
• Strong customer relationship management skills, with the ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders.
• Commercial acumen, including exposure to P&L, budgets, revenue and profit delivery, WIP, debt, cost control, contract growth and financial reporting.
• Good understanding of critical infrastructure such as mechanical and electrical services, HVAC, cooling, power, UPS, generators, BMS and related building systems.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, risk and compliance requirements within critical environments.
• Highly organised, detail focused and able to manage multiple priorities in a high-pressure environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong reporting and stakeholder engagement capability.
• Must be based in Johannesburg and able to work on site; this is not a remote role.
• Willingness and ability to travel to Nigeria and Kenya as required.

What you will be doing:

• Lead operational delivery across five data centre / critical environment sites, ensuring service continuity, reliability and performance.
• Act as the key account lead for the client, maintaining strong relationships, managing expectations and resolving escalations effectively.
• Ensure contractual commitments, service levels, KPIs and operational standards are met and exceeded.
• Provide leadership to site teams, regional stakeholders, direct reports, contractors and subcontractors across the portfolio.
• Take responsibility for account financial performance, including revenue, profit delivery, WIP, debt, cost reduction and contract growth.
• Identify and develop opportunities to expand services, add projects, increase turnover and support contract retention or re-tender success.
• Ensure company and client policies, processes and governance requirements are communicated and implemented across the account.
• Ensure healthy and safe working conditions and effective implementation of company, client and statutory health and safety requirements.
• Drive a strong customer focus across all operational activities and ensure effective engagement with key client contacts.
• Monitor operational risks, incidents and service issues, ensuring timely escalation, corrective action and continuous improvement.
• Provide accurate reporting on operational performance, financial performance, risks, issues, opportunities and account progress.
• Create a learning environment by supporting training, development planning and capability building within the team.
• Promote and maintain the RISE values: Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence.
• If you are an experienced critical environments leader with strong customer relationship skills and the ability to lead complex, multi-site operations, we would like to hear from you.

If you are an experienced critical environments leader with strong customer relationship skills and the ability to lead complex, multi-site operations, we would like to hear from you.

CBRE Excellerate is committed to striving for diversity and equitable representation in our workforce. Preference may thus be given to suitably qualified candidates as identified in our employment equity plan. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.