Commercial Property Development Manager at The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Post-graduate Degree or Advanced Diploma in Property Development and/or Management or Quantity Surveying, Architecture, Engineering, or related Property Financial Management qualification. 
• At least 8 (eight) years min relevant experience at management level as a commercial property developer or working in a similar environment in property development or urban town planning, with a strong focus on commercialising the property opportunities.

ADVANTAGEOUS: 

• Certificate for the Commercial Property Practitioner in South Africa or similar.
• Extensive network of contacts
• Entrepreneurial and Commercial Flair
• Commercial deal structuring

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Commercial properties development strategy and planning

• Assist with and provide input into the development of an enterprise- wide strategic plan that leverages the long-term business strategic objectives.
• Propose (commercial property investment) initiatives to support the implementation of the strategic plan.
• Develop, in collaboration with the GM Business Development, a commercial properties investment strategy to optimise the commercial and revenue benefit for SANRAL.
• Develop, in collaboration with the GM Business Development, strategies for commercial properties product and services; and commercial analysis and associated implementation plans that detail the approach to achieving defined strategic objectives.
• Develop a measurement criteria to monitor commercial properties investment implementation and provide input to the business development strategy updates and monitor economic and financial performance of the commercial property portfolio.
• Monitor and report on predefined measurement criteria and recommend or co-create corrective actions where necessary.
• Review and improve SANRAL Property Policy.
• Review and improve SANRAL land use plan.
• Assist in the development of the Business Development Policy.
• Strategy development and planning in accordance with the long-term business strategic objectives to grow revenue from opportunities related to the acquisition of properties required for development.
• Make recommendations to management regarding necessary changes to organisational strategies, policies, procedures that can affect clients’ inclination to accept new business offerings.
• Developing a commercial properties strategy in conjunction with the Business Development Manager, marketing department, and the General Manager: Business Development.

Business development and market research

• Continuously research, in collaboration with the Market Research Specialist, and identify opportunities for new commercial property developments for revenue growth for SANRAL.
• Develop, in conjunction with relevant cross-functional internal stakeholder teams, detailed execution plans for exploiting new markets and revenue opportunities identified.
• Define the commercial property investment strategic plan, which outlines the essence of the product; the product strategy, including market analysis and, in consultation with the Business Development Manager, customer acquisition and retention and the product roadmap that documents the plan to deliver key features over time.
• Conduct extensive ongoing market research to keep track of competitors’ commercial property product developments and marketing strategies, as well as identifying lease patterns and monitor market/competitor emerging trends.
• Continuously evaluate new markets, revenue opportunities, and provide detailed commercial plans for exploiting new markets and revenue opportunities identified for SANRAL to optimise the commercial benefit.
• Maintain competitor awareness to maximise penetration in markets held by the competition and foster partnerships with new and existing stakeholders in the commercial property.
• Provide consultation and technical assistance, including business/commercial valuations of commercial properties, etc., to any SANRAL programmes geared towards business development.
• Maintain market and deal expertise by networking, participating in market discussions, engaging with stakeholders, evaluating past failures    and    successes, and building skills and experience.

Operations and Technical Management

• Manage SANRAL’s commercial property master planning and rezonings and enhance asset value by delivering developments that exceed industry standards, in partnership with the Engineering and other relevant Business Unit Heads.
• Ensure effective management of risks and compliance management to ensure compliance with all applicable statutory regulations.
• Include investment partnerships trends, insight and best practice into the commercial property or asset class development.
• Analyse and explore SANRAL’s property development opportunities and develop pipeline for development and deliver on net income budget.
• Manage the Capex and OPEX spend according to the approved budget, and assist regions. This includes managing arrears proactively, addressing any issues, drive implementation of corrective action and follow up with clients to correct payment behaviour or implement other appropriate resolutions.
• Ensure commercial objectives for Profit, environment, social, and governance performance for each commercial property development project are achieved
• Ensure that green and sustainable development principles are implemented to developments and responsibly manage any direct impacts that may occur on communities and the environment
• Manage and oversee operations, administration, and improvement of commercial properties, development proposals, applying industry contracting standards JBCC, SAICE GCC or any other relevant Development Agreements.
• Manage preliminary feasibilities, define & evaluate best use options for commercial properties and/or assets class.
• Prepare commercial property funding proposals based on sound capital raising models, together with commercial, and liaise with authorities, management/relevant parties, and assist in ensuring deal forum motivation of the highest standard.
• Negotiate terms of development leases with prospective clients and prepare relevant agreements.
• Develop design briefs with external consultants to preliminary costing stage.
• Negotiate/gain approvals in a timely cost-effective manner, and liaise with management ensuring appropriate financial, commercial and legal risks are documented, updated progress, cash flow & project issues as they arise.
• Monitor progress and oversee property development Practical Completion, final certificates in consultation with management and the appropriate Certifier.
• Ensure accurate and timely information is available for monthly Management Reports, covering all aspects of commercial property development projects.
• Implement best practice in relation to the appointment of professional teams and contractors in consultation with the General Manager for Business Development.
• Manage and prioritise several key tasks at any one time within defined deadlines.
• Monitor and report on predefined measurement criteria and recommend or co-create corrective.
• Assist with Value Engineering of property development concepts & refinement to ensure “futureproofing” of the investments.
• Provide advisory support and facilitate discussions regarding SPLUMA, tribal land, access road transfers, etc.
• Provide support and guidance to Property Acquisition Officers in region which include assisting with drafting recommendations to management for approval of land or commercial property acquisition processes (when required).
• Provide other technical, administrative, and management activities which may be required by the organisation, from time-to-time.

Financial/Commercial analysis and Third-Party Management

• Conduct the financial, commercial and business analysis required to support the development of strategic commercial property initiatives that aim to optimise commercial benefit for business development and the support of the overarching business strategy.
• Collaborate with the multi-disciplinary teams to utilise research and insights gathered across various market factors, including sustainability, technological and economic, to assist with the evaluation, prioritisation and recommendation of new markets and revenue opportunities.
• Quantify the potential benefits of leveraging opportunities and/ or mitigating against potential risks identified through an understanding of the operational landscape, including technology, stakeholder, market, and legal/regulatory drivers.
• Combine understanding of operational landscape and market factors with analysis and interpretation of business financial data to produce statistical information used to assess past and present, and forecast future financial performance, or projects and/or the business.
• Compile necessary monthly and quarterly reports for finalisation by the GM Business Development.
• Compile and manage the operational risk register for the Commercial Property Portfolio.
• Tender preparation & Project/Contract Administration, which include contract management, execution of activities in accordance with contractual terms and conditions in line with specified requirements and SANRAL’s approved procurement policies, management of 3rd party service provider performance, ensuring services are aligned with SANRAL’s standards and that necessary remedial actions are taken to align relationships and performance with strategic objectives.
• Cultivate and maintain good working relationships with key stakeholders and service providers.
• Actively participate in the relevant functional Working Group/Forums/Clusters.
• Attend networking and industry events and create presentations that explain new SANRAL commercial properties and products and services (unique value proposition to market), to support the General Manager Business Development.
• Achieve an acceptable rating from internal audit in line with SANRAL’s standards, resolve audit findings and close identified gaps within agreed timeframes.