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There has been an influx of women filling some job positions in the property sector in recent years (think real estate), however, when it comes to estate management this has generally been male dominated.
Someone bucking that trend is Sue Smith, who joined Helderberg Retirement Village in Cape Town as chief financial officer in June 2019. Prior to this, she spent 21 years in senior management positions at prestigious estates like Steenberg (12 years), Erinvale (five years) and Boschenmeer (one year).
Here, she chats to us about her experience and shares some valuable tips to fellow women thinking about throwing their hat in the estate management ring.
Do your homework
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‘In the early days I found it very hard to be heard. Even though I held a management position, I found men around the boardroom table would listen to what I had to say but not really hear me. They would turn to the manager at the time and seek confirmation, almost to check if he agreed. It used to be very frustrating,’ recalls Smith.
Smith used this to her advantage though and developed what she calls her office persona to make her stronger and heard.
‘I decided to study and attended every conference and exhibition I could to equip myself with the tools to be able to stand my ground and debate topics, when necessary,’ she said. It’s certainly paid off, as she is now only one of eight estate managers in South Africa to hold the internationally recognised Certified Club Manager (CCM) qualification. She also mentors and assesses several managers in the industry.
‘I am very fortunate that today I have a very supportive board who allow me to voice my opinion and be heard when needed, and they have the confidence in me to implement board policy without too much interference. My advice is to never be afraid to ask for help – it does not show weakness at all,’ continues Smith.
Be willing to put the hours in
A career in estate management certainly doesn’t follow the usual 9-5 and as Yael Geffen, chief executive officer of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty explains. Estate managers can be called on any time of the day (or night) and even over weekends, which may not always suit women who are supporting a family on their own.
‘The digital age and the growth of the sector now requires estate managers to wear more than one hat. You need to have more than a passing knowledge of a variety of fields, from marketing and human resources, to finance and contractual law,’ says Geffen.
It’s a sentiment echoed by Smith who tells us that her day typically starts at just before six in the morning on a weekday and she can end up working till midnight.
‘I try and drive down a different road each morning on my way in and out as this gives me time to check if the gardens have been mowed, the dirt has been cleared, the corners visible and that the lights are working. It really is a full-time job, but I wouldn’t change it for the world,’ she laughs.
Enjoy the perks
Stressful as it may be, there are few careers that can match the rewards and job satisfaction that a career in estate management can offer.
‘It is a very dynamic and exciting field where no two days are ever the same. It will also always be a secure career choice because it is not subject to the same risks and frequent fluctuations of the stock market and property will remain a basic human need,’ says Geffen.
Estate managers tend to be the first to know of emergent trends, get to see the best properties before they hit the market and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing they’ve helped improve someone’s life.
‘For me, the best part of my job is meeting with villagers and staff daily and attending meetings and functions. This gives me a chance to connect with residents on a social level and makes managing situations so much easier. I also get to hear and see first-hand the experiences they have so I can mitigate any complaints that come my way,’ concludes Smith.
