Regional Facilities Manager - SPARK Schools Support

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Take a tour of our Website: https://sparkschools.co.za/

SPARK Schools is a social impact disruptor and is leading change in the education space through its network of affordable private schools. The SPARK Schools network provides transformational education innovation through Africa’s first blended learning model, which elevates student achievement and provides the tools teachers need to serve their students effectively.

The blended learning model, which combines classroom teaching and online instruction, allows teachers to anticipate student needs and equips schools to provide personalised education at an affordable cost. SPARK Schools is pioneering this transformative education model to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.

SPARK Schools is a high growth, mission and values-driven entrepreneurial organisation, operating 21 primary schools, 5 high schools and serving over 16,000 families in 2025. We are looking for dynamic people to join our team.

Purpose of Role

The purpose of the Regional Facilities Manager role is to service SPARK School sites building-related activities and operations. This service includes preserving the good condition of infrastructure, while ensuring that all facilities and surrounding environments are safe, well-functioning, up-to-date, and enable employees and scholars to work productively. In addition, the Facilities Coordinator is also responsible for leading and growing a team of skilled and competent staff, whilst championing the SPARK culture and brand in all stakeholder interactions. The Regional Facilities Manager serves as the central point of contact for the management and administration of service delivery to schools. This role works closely with the School Achievement Managers and principals.

This is a position for a person who has a mature, realistic, understanding of their capabilities and who has the confidence in their ability to deliver against demanding expectations.

Reports To: Property Operations Manager

Direct Reports

• Facilities Team Lead (School based)

Requirements

Responsibilities

Facilities and Building Maintenance

• Inspect school buildings and determine the need for renovations / repairs. This includes site visits to each site every two weeks.
• Ensure building and workspaces comply with Occupational Health & Safety Act.
• Ensure that workspaces accommodate employee needs according to SANS standards.
• Ensure maintenance of buildings by requesting repairs or contracting maintenance services as needed in a cost-effective manner.
• Perform electrical maintenance as and when required.
• Ensure vehicle(s) is serviced and maintained as required.
• Liaise with Landscaping suppliers or internal team members to ensure that buildings, facilities and surrounding areas are neat, tidy and maintained to the agreed upon standard.
• Conduct reactive, proactive, and preventative maintenance to sites and equipment.
• Liaise with school leadership teams should any work requiring closures or adjustment to schedules need to take place.
• When required, put in place contingency plans for any work requiring a change in schedule / routine.
• Come up with innovative solutions and/or ideas for facilities improvement and beautification.
• Create and maintain an asset register.
• Ensure maintenance of small portable equipment is done to appropriate standards.
• Conduct vehicle checks on a regular basis, and flag any identified problems, services due, etc, in a timely manner.
• Be the first respondent to any building-related emergencies.
• Investigate utilities consumption reported by Property Manager and strive to minimise costs.
• Draft and submit monthly maintenance reports.
• Set up and improve processes which facilitate everyday operations

Ticketing Desk

• Oversee and manage SPARK’s ticketing desk system for the facilities portfolio.
• Administer and allocate tickets, tasks and requests to the appropriate personnel – i.e. Facilities Maintenance Staff, School Leadership Teams and external vendors/suppliers.
• Ensure all logged tickets are resolved and attended to within agreed SLAs.
• Update tickets timeously and follow up on any outstanding tickets to understand any issues or delays that may be experienced.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Onboard suppliers who have been vetted and meet onboarding criteria.
• Manage external service providers and contractors, including their adherence to agreed SLAs.
• Ensure that all outsourced services are administered according to the service level agreements and service catalogue.
• Maintain ongoing communication with contractors, clients, and team. This includes conducting supplier meetings termly, or according to the needs and relationship with the supplier.
• Regularly communicate and liaise with each site’s School Operations Coordinator (SOC) at least twice a week to keep abreast of the facilities portfolio and day-to-day operations.
• Create and maintain excellent relations with all stakeholders including Municipal Officials and other officials from regulatory authorities.
• Build and nurture existing and new client relationships to ensure ongoing satisfaction and effectiveness (incl. landlords and schools).

Finance & Accounts

• Review weekly budget cost and control sheets.
• Ensure that an appropriate number of quotations (approx. 2 - 3) are obtained prior to approving costing/quotations. Work to negotiate the best possible costing.
• Review quotations carefully to ensure the correct costings are received on all quotations.
• Manage expenditure per site, as per budget.
• Consult with Property Operations Manager when budget spend exceeds allocated budget.
• Ensure monthly supplier invoices are uploaded on time.
• Review invoices before submitting to ensure accurate reflection of costs and services obtained.
• Liaise or follow up with the Finance team to ensure supplier accounts are paid on time.

General

• Participate in regular inter regional sessions where new policies, materials, methods, training and challenges are discussed and resolved
• Assist the Facilities Team lead with school health and safety management as well as making sure the health and safety file is up to date at all times.
• Attend to security incidents within their region.

Qualifications and Criteria

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

• Relevant Facilities/building environment qualification.
• N3 - N6 in Engineering would be advantageous
• SAFMA Registered Professional Preferred.
• 2 - 3 years facilities/operations management experience with a portfolio of commercial property assets
• Project management experience ( multiple simultaneous projects ) with knowledge of built environment, design, construction (preferred)
• Systems management and administration experience
• Strong knowledge of building infrastructure and maintenance
• Knowledge of building compliance (SANS) as well as Occupational Health & Safety legislation
• Knowledge of electrical systems will be beneficial

Competencies

• Adopting practical approach
• Managing tasks
• Producing output
• Customer orientation.
• Analysis/problem solving.
• Quick thinking/learning.
• Team work.
• Communication.

Values: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, Kindness

Benefits

SPARK offers

• fair market linked remuneration

• performance-based annual bonuses and increases

• above average/good annual leave

• life, disability and funeral cover

• employee wellness support

• educational support & study leave

• individualised professional development, support and mentorship

• employee discount on school fees

• opportunities for career growth

Compensation: Commensurate with experience.

Position Type: Full Time

Location: Randburg, South Africa

Appointments will be made in line with SPARK Schools employment equity plan (where applicable) and talent requirements.

SPARK Schools may expire the posting of this advertisement at their own discretion.

Kindly note that should you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful.