Utility Manager – Sandton needed at Growthpoint Properties

Duties and responsibilities

Primary

• Lead and manage the team of utilities specialists whose function, targets, skills, and responsibilities are aligned to deliver on the department outcomes. 
• Manage, develop, and lead.
• Provide single point of contact with the sector business units for the operational focus areas described in 2 – 4 below as well as the full range of utilities related matters not specifically covered in items 2 – 4.
• Responsibilities are applied to all property sectors on a national basis.

General

• Advises Growthpoint in developing utility strategies, policies, and objectives.
• Assures that Growthpoint is provided accurate, timely information to facilitate appropriate policy/decision-making as it pertains to utilities.
• Leads in the acquisition of electric power and water supplies as well as waste management services to provide sufficient and cost-effective resources for Growthpoint Stakeholders.
• Ensure utility’s power, water and sewer operations are in compliance with all city policies and applicable municipal guidelines, rules regulations and public utility principles/practices.

Property interface

• Oversight and allocation of responsibility for resolution of:
• Municipal account management and queries.
• Tenant billing management and queries.

Utilities data

• Establish and oversee implementation of a utilities data strategy which meets and aligns to the business objectives.
• Determine key priorities for the utilities specialist focused on data with regards to delivering on the range of data sourcing, analytics, and reporting requirements for the business.
• Metrics related to resource areas such as waste and other relevant resource areas may be added to this portfolio in time depending on Growthpoint’s strategic objectives. 
• Oversee the implementation and contract management for the Growthpoint Single Trench and Open Access Network Fibre Policy and associated service providers.

Utilities Management Company (UMC) interface

• Implement and manage systems and processes for accurate and consistent information flow between the UMC and Growthpoint business units. 
• Manage the UMC policy and service level agreements.
• Industry trends and business innovation.
• Continually monitor industry trends, evaluate new products and services for potential value add to the business, and participate in industry working groups. Oversee pilot tests of cutting-edge utility management solutions.
• Plan, develop, implement, and maintain programs, policies, process/procedures, and guidelines for systems/users within the service line, inclusive of establishing controls.
• Engage in a culture of continuous improvement and innovation by leveraging business intelligence, adopting, and participating in the development of best practices, new tools, process re-engineering and other ideas that provider service delivery efficiencies.

Requirements

Experience 

• At least ten (10) years’ experience in a utilities management function, 5 of which must be at senior management level.
• Proven experience in end-to-end utilities management including a working knowledge of electricity, water, waste, electrical, mechanical, smart metering, building automation and control systems across commercial office, industrial, retail, and mixed-use building types.
• Ability to do detailed financial statement analysis.
• Ability to do detailed analysis of utilities budgeting.
• Ability to do detailed analysis of utility billing, recovery, and consumption reports.
• Experience presenting information to all levels of management.
• High levels of commercial acumen.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with third parties, municipalities, and stakeholders.
• Understand all Tariff requirements for Commercial property.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Finance/Accounting or a BSc (Property Studies) degree with electives (Sustainability & Environment) and post grad qualification. 
• Utilities Manager course or similar field