As the Facilities / Infrastructure Lead, you are the guardian of HBD’s physical assets and their long-term trajectories. In line with our "Here Be Dragons" DNA, we do not merely maintain buildings; we steward high-performance environments. You are responsible for the "Uptime" of our portfolio - ensuring every technical system, from security grids to precision irrigation, operates at peak efficiency.
You recognise that the excellence of our property portfolio is the engine that funds the preservation of the critically endangered Renosterveld. You are a strategic specialist who predicts asset lifecycles and bridges the gap between high-level operational strategy and technical execution to ensure HBD's properties remain premium and future-proof.
Key Technical Focus Areas
1. Asset Stewardship & Lifecycle Planning
- Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM): Design and implement the master service schedules for all infrastructure, moving HBD away from reactive fixes to a proactive "Uptime" model.
- Lifecycle Management: Track every major asset (lifts, generators, HVAC, solar) to determine longevity and plan multi-year financial roadmaps for replacement.
- Retention & Estimates: Assist with retention estimates on new properties, specifically addressing potential issues regarding Certificates of Compliance (COCs).
- Infrastructure Innovation: Stay updated on emerging technologies in building management and energy efficiency to ensure assets remain cutting-edge.
- Infrastructure Stock Control: Identify and stock high-failure or long-lead-time items for complex systems. Ensure HBD maintains a minimum stock level for all critical infrastructure and track the movement of infrastructure from central storage to specific site installations.
2. Quality Assurance & Internal Property Assessments (IPA)
- The IPA Framework: Own and execute the Internal Property Assessment program, conducting comprehensive audits of structural integrity, technical "Uptime," and "The Shine" (finishes and garden integration).
- SOP Development: Translate IPA findings into updated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), creating specific protocols for new properties and new tenant handovers.
- COC Management: Responsible for the technical integrity of the portfolio’s Certificates of Compliance (Electrical, Gas, Fire, etc.), ensuring all systems are maintained to the standards required for valid certification.
- System Integrity: Partner with the Development Lead to approve high-level repair scopes, ensuring that solutions are technically sound and preserve the long-term value of the asset.
3. Security, Risk & Vacancy Support
- Security Infrastructure: Run the technical side of security (CCTV, access control, perimeter fencing, alarm systems), ensuring systems are 100% operational and staff are trained on protocols.
- Protocol Enforcement: Create the infrastructure protocols that HBD staff must follow. You are responsible for training the team on these standards and ensuring absolute adherence to mitigate human error.
- Vacancy Risk Assessment: Conduct technical risk assessments and coordinate "mothballing" protocols for vacant units to prevent deterioration, squatting, or theft.
- Standby Escalations: Participate in the standby roster for technical escalation, ensuring the emergency phone is answered and urgent issues are triaged immediately after hours.
- Compliance Oversight (OHS): While the Compliance Lead handles the legal paperwork and contracts, you are the "boots on the ground" for OHS. You ensure that the physical site meets all safety standards and that contractors work in a compliant manner.
4. Technical Administration & Value Guarding (Property Escalations)
- Scope & Quote Review: Review the Scope of Work documents prepared by Property Coordinators to ensure they are precise and technically sound.
- Value Guarding: Cross-reference contractor proposals against physical site knowledge to flag over-quoting or unnecessary work before approval.
- Contractor & Internal Work Audits: You are the final sign-off for all major ticket escalations. You perform post-project Quality Assurance checks to ensure that both external contractors and the internal infrastructure team have not only fixed the technical fault but have restored the site to its original aesthetic standard.
- IAM: Compile Internal Approval Motivation Reports for high cost repairs and infrastructure improvements.
5. Technical Project Leadership & Input
- Scope Approvals: Assess the proposed solution for complex structural or systemic failures to ensure it addresses the "root-cause" rather than just a symptom.
- Internal Project Architecture: Take full responsibility for preparing the technical Scope of Work for all projects managed internally, ensuring they are precise, measurable, and technically sound.
- Strategic Projects: Provide and source technical input and oversight for key infrastructure projects. Ensure new technical projects integrate seamlessly with the existing systems.
- Project Oversight: Directly run and execute infrastructure-heavy projects, together with external consultants.
The Escalation Chain: Strategic Uptime
- Level 1: Technical failure or deviation reported by the Property Lead.
- Level 2: Head of Infrastructure provides technical "Know-How" or resets the scope; engagement of Specialist Contractors.
- Level 3: IFA Escalation or Capital Expenditure (CapEx) Request to Head of Ops for replacement vs. repair decisions.
- Level 4: Escalation to Development Lead for structural failures or redesign requirements.
What You Must Bring to the Role
- Technical Visionary: Significant experience in facilities management or infrastructure engineering with a proven ability to manage complex assets.
- Systemic Thinking: An exceptional ability to manage data, schedules, and technical "know-how" across a diverse portfolio.
- The "Dragon" Mindset: A self-starter who doesn't wait for a system to break but builds a better way to prevent the break.
- Technical Mentorship: Responsibility for the development of the Property Coordinators, involving them in complex troubleshooting.
Supporting Roles
- Head of Operations: Your primary partner for budgeting and high-level property trajectory.
- Compliance Lead: Your partner for ensuring that all technical work is backed by correct legal paperwork and OHS certifications.
- Development Lead: The person you consult during the build phase to ensure the infrastructure you inherit is built for long-term "Uptime."
Work Location: In person
