Head of Corporate Real Estate Services (CRES) at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• To create added value and competitive advantage by executing the regional delivery of the group-wide CRES strategy and operating model. Reporting to the Group Chief Financial Officer, you will ensure that Operational Level Indicators are achieved and monitored, ensuring the financial aspects of the estate are effectively managed, providing excellent customer service and achieving customer satisfaction across all service lines:
• Location – “where we locate our workforce and why”
• Workforce Planning – “the required size, type and quality of our workforce”
• Real Estate – “the right property portfolio at the right price at the right time”
• Facilities management
• Engineering
• Property Risk, Health & Safety
• Direct Footprint Environment & Sustainability management 
• Partnering with key stakeholders and suppliers for optimal service delivery 
• Stakeholder management 
• Supplier performance management

Job Description

Accountability:  Strategic Business Management

• Working closely with the business units to understand business needs and employee value goals to be achieved through the working environment
• Ensure the coordination and end to end delivery of the CRES capabilities across the Group
• Ensure the highest levels of customer service and expertise are offered across the product range and that the voice of the customer and colleague are placed at the heart of the function.
• Influence the Group real estate strategy. 

Accountability:  Service Delivery and Customer Relationship Management

• Provide thought leadership and act as a trusted advisor to the business areas; acting as a key decision maker within the CRES function.
• Drive aggressive cost reduction through space and cost efficiency, working in conjunction with key strategic partners to drive sustainable reductions in the run rate over the medium term to long term. 
• High quality, timely and effective capital project delivery.
• Maintain the real estate assets including engineering assets.
• Take responsibility for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) through coordinating with the business units and Country COO’s/CEOs.
• Sound understanding of commercial analytics and ownership of ETA and budget/run rate discussions with key stakeholders.
• Key supplier relationship and performance management, that supports the outsourced business model and delivery of functionality and services for CRES.
• Ensure that there is a documented and clearly communicated record of the BU relationship that is shared across all CRM’s, SLT and related CRES teams.
• To ensure all CRM colleagues are managed in accordance with all policies and procedures.

Accountability:  People Leadership

• Set the people agenda for CRES to develop and retain talent whilst continually raising the performance bar to create an outperforming team.
• Act as role model in terms of both delivery and behavior for all colleagues.
• Provide leadership and direction to the function, specific business units, functions, or regions, and demonstrate total commitment to the personal and professional development of all members of the team.
• To ensure that development plans are effectively managed and implemented; providing effective coaching as required.
• Accountable for compliance to relevant legislation and for the implementation and compliance of CRES policies and standards by all country and business unit property teams.

Accountability:  Risk Management 

• Maintains a robust awareness of risk process and controls relating to Africa CRES and its interface with the business.
• Functional responsibility for property by owning the premises risk policy, standards, and control processes.

Accountability:  Stakeholder (internal and external) management

• Manage key senior stakeholders (both internal and external) across several business functions, adapting their leadership style and being open to new strategic approaches.
• Communication at a senior level, both internally and externally, including CEO’s; COO’s, CFO’s for all BU’s, Function Heads and key service owners and business stakeholders, Heads of the CRES Centre’s of Excellence etc.
• Ensure absolute clarity to the full range of stakeholders and ensure the appropriate level of involvement/buy-in, understanding both benefits and potential implications managing stakeholder expectations.
• Act as an escalation point to help the Africa CRES functions resolve any operational or other issues.

Preferred Education       

• Relevant B-degree or NQF Level 7 qualification
• Preferred Experience     
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years Real Estate experience, including facilities management.
• Sound knowledge of Africa CRES services, and cognisant of the broader external environment and legislative compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to effectively build capability in virtual and extended teams with the ability to negotiate in a sphere of influence at a senior level.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong attention to detail, high levels of numeracy, and an analytical mind set will be a given.
• Action-orientated with a focus on continuous improvement in all areas of responsibility.
• Self-starter, innovative with the ability to deliver quality results with a challenging but positive and influential style.
• Expert stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Sound understanding of finance and general business management principles.
• Demonstrable experience of managing cross-functional, extended and virtual teams.
• Excellent influencing skills at senior levels.
• Financial management and significant budget management experience.
• Capital project management experience.
• Proven knowledge and experience of service-based operations and management.
• Strong, adaptive people management and leadership skills, and specific experience working in a matrix management model where influencing, challenging and negotiating skills have been highly leveraged, with the ability to negotiate in a sphere of influence at a senior level.