Commercial Management Surveyor

Location: Birmingham / West Midlands

Department: Commercial Property Management

Reporting To: Property Director

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Commercial Management Surveyor to manage a varied portfolio of commercial properties.

The portfolio includes retail, office, industrial and mixed use assets, primarily across the West Midlands and London, with some properties located elsewhere in the UK.

Clients include private landlords, management companies, family estates, charitable trusts and small pension funds.

This is a hands on property management position focused on the effective day to day management of commercial assets.

The role does not include rent reviews, lease renewals or agency work.

Instead, you will concentrate on the core commercial management functions of rent collection, service charge management, property maintenance, compliance, contractor management and client reporting.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Management

• Take responsibility for the day to day management of a mixed commercial property portfolio
• Manage retail, office, industrial and mixed use properties
• Ensure properties are managed in accordance with leases and management agreements
• Maintain accurate action plans for individual properties
• Identify portfolio risks and make appropriate recommendations
• Work in accordance with relevant RICS Codes of Practice
• Provide cover for colleagues when required

Client & Tenant Management

• Develop strong relationships with landlords, management company directors and professional advisers
• Deal confidently with clients and stakeholders at a senior level
• Maintain regular communication with clients
• Produce accurate and timely client reports
• Attend client and tenant meetings where required
• Respond professionally and promptly to tenant, client and contractor enquiries
• Take responsibility for maintaining strong client and portfolio retention

Service Charge & Financial Management

• Prepare accurate service charge budgets
• Present draft budgets to clients and obtain approval
• Manage service charge expenditure against agreed budgets
• Monitor income and expenditure throughout the financial year
• Provide approved service charge information for uploading onto MRI Qube
• Monitor rent and service charge arrears
• Work closely with the Finance Team to reduce outstanding debt
• Ensure appropriate arrears procedures are followed
• Prepare serious arrears cases for legal action where required
• Approve contractor invoices for payment

Property Maintenance

• Oversee planned, reactive and remedial maintenance
• Ensure repairs are completed within appropriate timescales and to the required standard
• Manage works within agreed budgets and in accordance with lease obligations
• Liaise with Building Surveyors regarding technically complex matters and larger projects
• Manage insurance claims effectively
• Maintain accurate insurance records
• Coordinate with residential management teams where properties contain residential elements

Contractor Management

• Appoint and manage contractors across the portfolio
• Ensure contractors provide appropriate quality and value for money
• Prepare tender documentation
• Identify appropriate contractors and suppliers
• Review tenders, health and safety policies, method statements and supporting documentation
• Negotiate with contractors where required
• Prepare contract documentation
• Monitor contractor performance
• Address poor performance where necessary
• Re-tender contracts when appropriate

Compliance & Health and Safety

• Take responsibility for compliance and health and safety across the portfolio
• Ensure statutory inspections are completed within required timescales
• Instruct remedial works arising from inspections
• Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant property and health and safety legislation
• Ensure company health and safety procedures are followed
• Identify and immediately escalate areas of non-compliance
• Keep clients informed of significant compliance issues and required actions

About You

We are looking for someone with recent commercial property management experience who is comfortable taking ownership of their own portfolio.

You will need:

• A minimum of 3 years' recent commercial property management experience
• Experience managing commercial properties including retail, office and/or industrial assets
• Strong understanding of service charge management
• Experience preparing and managing service charge budgets
• Knowledge of rent collection and arrears management
• Experience managing contractors and maintenance programmes
• Good understanding of commercial property compliance and health and safety
• Strong client relationship management skills
• The ability to communicate confidently with landlords, tenants and professional advisers
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Good analytical and problem solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office

MRI Qube

Previous experience using MRI Qube would be particularly advantageous.

Candidates who have worked extensively with commercial property management systems and can demonstrate the ability to learn new platforms will also be considered.

Qualifications

You will ideally be educated to degree level or have equivalent relevant commercial property experience.

AssocRICS, MRICS or working towards an RICS qualification would be advantageous but is not essential.

Support can be provided for appropriate professional development.

The Person

We are looking for someone who is:

• Self motivated and able to manage their own workload
• Commercially aware
• Highly organised
• Confident dealing with senior clients
• Proactive rather than reactive
• Comfortable making decisions and recommendations
• Able to work independently while contributing to a wider team
• Focused on delivering excellent client and tenant service
• Interested in continuing their professional development

The Role in Brief

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Commercial Property Manager or Management Surveyor who enjoys the management side of commercial property and wants responsibility for a varied portfolio.

The emphasis is firmly on commercial property management, service charges, rent collection, compliance, maintenance and client relationships, rather than transactional surveying, agency, rent reviews or lease renewals.