Senior Director: Real Estate Management

With more than 34400 students, and approximately 1700 members of staff, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is a leading university of technology proudly located in the beautiful cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg, along the warm east coast of South Africa. Founded in April 2002 through the historic merger of the former ML Sultan Technikon and Technikon Natal, DUT has evolved into a modern, metropolitan, multi-campus university with roots tracing back to 1907.

Today, DUT is recognised nationally and internationally for its excellence in teaching and learning, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and engagement. A proud member of the International Association of Universities, DUT continues to expand its influence across South Africa and the world. In the 2025 Webometrics Rankings, DUT was ranked among the Top 6% of all universities and colleges worldwide, reflecting its academic excellence, research impact and strong global visibility.

DUT’s Philosophy of Education, “Our creativity and innovation shapes adaptive graduates who transform society” reflects the institution’s deep commitment to meaningful impact for societal transformation. Guided by its inspirational and aspirational ENVISION2030 strategy, which is rooted in DUT’s DNA of being ‘people-centred and engaged’ and ‘innovative and entrepreneurial’ and underpinned by its bespoke Living Values Framework, DUT focuses on ‘contributing to the improvement of lives and livelihoods’. 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