Director - Facilities

Listing reference: nwu_003823
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 26 October 2025
Position summary
Industry: Education & Training
Job category: University and Academy
Location: Vanderbijlpark
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.
About our company
NWU
Introduction
NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (VANDERBIJLPARK CAMPUS)|DIVISION: FACILITIES| POSITION NUMBER: TBC| VACANCY: DIRECTOR – FACILITIES PEROMNES GRADE: P5 EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT
Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

To lead, direct and optimize hard and soft facility maintenance services across campus properties and estates, ensuring all facilities are ready for use to efficiently support university operations in accordance with the NWU strategic objectives and regulatory requirements.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy Implementation

                          Contribute to the development of the NWU Facilities functional strategy and take co-responsibility for the implementation.

                          Work with the office of the Chief Director: Facilities to implement and execute the Facilities Functional Strategy on campus.

                          Develop and implement a maintenance operational plan for the assigned campus properties and estates.

                          Policies, Practices and Standards

                          Implement NWU Infrastructure Management Policy and other applicable NWU policies.

                          Identify campus specific asset maintenance standards and work with the office of the Chief Director: Facilities to design and implement the said standards.

                          Implement approved NWU infrastructure standardized maintenance procedures, processes, guidelines and standards on campus and over the infrastructure/ equipment life cycle.

 

Infrastructure Asset Maintenance

                          Lead, develop, implement, and oversee infrastructure asset reactive and unscheduled or emergency maintenance plans.

                          Work with the central Planned Maintenance office to identify and implement preventative and scheduled maintenance needs for each asset class on campus.

                          Work with and support the central Planned Maintenance office to identify, plan and execute risk based and condition-based maintenance needs for the assigned campus.

                          Ensure there are clearly defined procedures and processes for maintenance of campus power distribution systems and internal load management in case of power outages.

                          Execute reactive maintenance from work orders according to the defined service delivery timelines and customer service level agreements.

                          Co-ordinate campus condition assessments to inform macro- and deferred maintenance plans.

                          Lead and oversee the establishment of condition monitoring and inspection plans as per the operating and maintenance manuals to check, test or replace infrastructure systems, subsystems, assemblies or components.

                          Lead and ensure optimal utilization of NWU computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) to ensure timeous execution of maintenance work requests, tracking and reporting within agreed service priority levels across campuses.

                          Ensure that the campus has robust response procedures in place to respond to critical equipment (diesel generators, water systems, aircon plants etc) downtime and re-installation of service within agreed timeframes.

 

Contract Management

                          Develop campus annual procurement plans and participate in procurement process ensuring timeous submission of procurement documents to the central Planned Maintenance office and Procurement Division.

                          Manage all active contracts on campus and ensure the day-to-day hard and soft facility services are executed efficiently, and contractors’ performance is measured and reported against performance specifications and service levels.

                          Ensure that contractual performance by service providers is adhered through the implementation and monitoring of agreed Service Level Agreements.

                          Ensure timeous renewal of service and maintenance contracts to ensure continuity of services.

                          Specialised Technical Support Service

                          Jointly responsible with Director Infrastructure Design and Construction to oversee the design, planning and execution of infrastructure projects

                          Provide technical specialist service for maintenance and / or facility services needs over the project life cycle.

                          Lead, oversee and ensure the compilation of technical specialist service needs for maintenance and / or facility services resource allocation.

 

Energy and Water Efficiency Plan

                          Translate energy and water efficiency strategy into implementation action plans for short, medium and long term to achieve the targets in support of NWU Environmental sustainability policy.

                          Work with Smart Campus department to monitor campus energy and water usage efficiency and performance against targets and propose interventions for improvement.

                          Develop and implement mitigation plans to manage energy and water outages on campus.

                          Develop and implement Business Continuity Plans for critical equipment to ensure services continuity in case of failure of municipal provision of services.

 

Management and Leadership Results Areas

                          Ensure optimal team composition and equitable resource allocation, effectiveness and efficiency across campuses.

                          Stakeholder relationship development and effectiveness.

                          Corporate governance conformance, reporting and risk management and business continuity.

                          Integrated budgeting, cost management and cost-effectiveness.

                          Unit processes and systems design, utilisation, effectiveness and efficiency in support of the digital business strategy.

                          Personal effectiveness, wholeness and development.

                          Values-based behaviour leadership and personal compliance.

Minimum requirements

                          A bachelor’s degree or bachelor’s of technology degree (NQF level 7) in built environment qualification (Mechanical;  Electrical or Industrial Engineering).

                          A postgraduate qualification in Management (NQF level 8).

                          A minimum of five (5) years’ technical, operational and managerial experience in infrastructure asset maintenance.

 

ADDED ADVANTAGE & PREFERENCE:

                          Legal Appointment - Government Certificate of Competency.

  

KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

                          Strong knowledge of and experience in Infrastructure Asset management value chain, including development of maintenance policies, processes and plans

                          Strong knowledge of and experience in facility services management including use of CMMS

                          Strong knowledge of applicable legislation, standards, municipal by-laws, and regulations

                          Contract management

                          Project and program management

                          Leadership, coaching and mentoring

                          Proficiency in MS Office

                          Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

 

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

                          Analytical and strong attention to detail.

                          Excellent organizational skills.

                          Proactive and innovative technical problem solver.

                          Customer centric.

                          Excellent interpersonal skills.

                          High-performance driven.

 

REMUNERATION:

The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

 

ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO:                      Mr Ntokozo Kunene on 018 299 4112

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO:   Mr. Lionel Eksteen on 018 285 2104

CLOSING DATE:                                                                                                               26 October 2025

PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES:                                                             As soon as possible

 

 

 

 

 

 Kindly note that applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website. Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

 

The University subscribes to and applies the principles of the Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.

 

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.

If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

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