Utilities Manager

SUMMARY:
Property Management

POSITION INFO:
About Africrest Properties Africrest Properties is seeking a commercially minded, analytical, and results-driven Utilities Manager to lead and oversee the utilities function across our growing residential and commercial property portfolio. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing all utility-related operations, including municipal account management, utility recoveries, metering infrastructure, tariff optimisation, financial reconciliations, budgeting, consumption analysis, and cost-saving initiatives. This role combines technical utilities expertise with strong financial and commercial acumen and is ideal for an individual who can identify opportunities to reduce costs, maximise recoveries, and drive profitability across the portfolio. The Utilities Manager will play a critical role in ensuring accurate utility billing, improving operational efficiencies, mitigating utility-related risks, and supporting the continued growth of the Africrest portfolio. Key Responsibilities Financial & Commercial Utilities Management • Compile and manage annual utility budgets across the portfolio, segmented by building and utility type. • Perform monthly reconciliations of utility expenses and tenant recoveries to determine profitability per building. • Calculate and submit utility accruals where municipal billing is delayed, missing, or inaccurate. • Analyse utility profitability and implement strategies to improve recoveries and reduce losses. • Identify and address utility under-recoveries across electricity, water, heat pumps, and prepaid systems. • Review utility deposits and bank guarantees and recommend improvements where required. • Drive utility cost-saving and revenue-generating initiatives across the portfolio. Tariff Management & Optimisation • Review and benchmark utility tariffs across all properties. • Manage tariff reclassification applications and tariff optimisation projects. • Oversee tariff transitions during office-to-residential building conversions. • Manage and review the work of external tariff consultants. • Challenge incorrect municipal tariff classifications and billing structures. • Review prepaid utility tariff configurations to ensure optimal recoveries. • Conduct tariff analyses and present recommendations to management. Municipal Account Management & Billing Accuracy • Source, verify, and process municipal accounts and utility reports monthly. • Audit municipal billing for errors, estimated readings, incorrect tariffs, and billing discrepancies. • Manage the opening and administration of municipal and Eskom accounts. • Review utility supply agreements and identify opportunities for supply optimisation. • Manage utility disputes with municipalities and relevant authorities. • Conduct site visits and engage directly with municipal stakeholders where necessary. • Support rates and valuation reconciliations and related municipal submissions. Solar Performance Management • Monitor solar PV system performance across the portfolio. • Analyse actual production against expected output benchmarks. • Manage service providers to maximise system uptime and performance. • Identify underperforming systems and coordinate corrective actions. • Evaluate the financial impact of solar systems and report on cost-saving outcomes. Metering Infrastructure & Data Management • Identify and resolve faulty, tampered, or inaccurate utility meters. • Oversee utility meter reading imports and ensure data integrity. • Investigate and resolve metering anomalies before tenant billing is processed. • Maintain strong relationships with metering service providers and contractors. • Ensure accurate utility consumption data is captured and reported. Water, Heat Pump & Alternative Utility Systems • Review heat pump recoveries and ensure accurate tenant billing. • Assess backup water and borehole systems and identify expansion opportunities. • Optimise alternative utility systems to improve resilience and profitability. • Monitor performance and recovery models relating to alternative utility infrastructure. Consumption Analysis & Cost Optimisation • Analyse utility consumption trends across the portfolio. • Identify wastage, leaks, inefficiencies, and revenue leakage opportunities. • Coordinate corrective actions and remediation initiatives. • Implement demand-side management and utility-saving initiatives. • Evaluate and report on the financial outcomes of optimisation projects. Tenant Recoveries & Billing Oversight • Oversee the accurate uploading and billing of utility charges to tenants. • Conduct quality assurance reviews of utility recoveries before invoicing. • Reconcile utility accruals against financial records and trial balances. • Support utilities-related accounts payable processes. • Ensure all utility recoveries are processed in accordance with lease agreements. Disconnection Prevention & Legal Support • Monitor municipal accounts to prevent service interruptions. • Proactively manage municipal relationships to minimise disconnection risks. • Investigate and resolve disconnection notices and service disputes. • Support legal teams with utility-related disputes, recoveries, and negotiations. Strategy, Innovation & Reporting • Develop and implement a portfolio-wide utilities strategy. • Identify opportunities for revenue growth, cost reduction, and risk mitigation. • Prepare monthly utilities performance reports for management and property owners. • Monitor regulatory developments and industry best practices. • Evaluate new technologies and service providers that may benefit the portfolio. • Lead, mentor, and develop the utilities team. Minimum Requirements • Matric Certificate. • Minimum 5 years'' experience in utilities management, preferably within a property management environment. • Minimum 2 years'' experience in a managerial or team leadership capacity. • Proven experience in both operational utilities management and financial utilities administration. • Experience with utility reconciliations, accruals, budgeting, recoveries, and cost analysis. • Demonstrated success in implementing utility cost-saving initiatives and improving recoveries. • Experience managing municipal accounts, tariff applications, and utility disputes. • Experience within the residential or commercial property management sector will be highly advantageous. • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. • Exposure to MDA or similar property management systems will be advantageous. • Valid driver''s licence and willingness to travel between properties will be advantageous. Skills and Competencies • Strong financial and commercial acumen. • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities. • Strong understanding of utility management and municipal billing processes. • Knowledge of electricity, water, refuse, sewerage, prepaid metering, and utility recoveries. • Familiarity with solar PV systems, heat pumps, and alternative water infrastructure. • Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy. • Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills. • Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with municipalities, contractors, tenants, and service providers. • Strong leadership and team development capabilities. • Excellent organisational and time management skills. • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously. • Self-motivated, proactive, and solutions-driven. • Ability to work independently while taking ownership of outcomes. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Why Join Africrest Properties? • Be part of a growing and innovative property management company. • Opportunity to directly influence profitability, operational efficiency, and sustainability across a large property portfolio. • Exposure to complex utilities infrastructure and strategic property operations. • Dynamic and collaborative working environment. • Permanent position based in Johannesburg. Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV, supporting documents together with their salary expectations. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.