Property & Asset Manager

SUMMARY:
JOB DESCRIPTION:

At the heart of the Portfolio Optimisation and Operational Efficiency function and empowered to deliver on the company’s mission to provide a leading student product and experience.

In respect of Asset Management, the incumbent is responsible for the strategic and operational optimisation of the property portfolio. The incumbent is expected to make recommendations for improving performance, be it by identifying cost saving opportunities, maximising revenue, and driving implementation thereof, or by identifying underperforming assets that need to cycle out and be replaced by performing assets and driving implementation of replacing such assets.

In respect of Property Acquisitions, the incumbent is responsible for the identification, vetting and acquisition of properties that meet the target location, scale, configuration, and investment return parameters. The incumbent is expected to manage and guide opportunities through a pipeline funnel from identification through to recommendation to the Investment Committee and eventually through to acquisition and development.

POSITION INFO:
EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• 3/4-year qualification in Built Environment/ Property Studies, Finance or Economics
• Postgraduate qualifications will be an advantage
• At least 10 years’ experience as a Real Estate environment.
• Property Development Management experience of 3 years or more will be an advantage.
• Strong Verbal and Written Communication Skills
• Computer Literacy
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel Knowledge & Skills
• Intermediate to Advanced Microsoft Word Knowledge & Skills
• Intermediate to Advanced Microsoft PowerPoint Knowledge & Skills
• Preparing and presenting reports to a Senior Management/ ExCo audience;

• Establish and manage departmental infrastructure
• Maintain department’s relevance to strategic mandated of the business;
• Departmental budget preparation and management;
• Recruitment and retention of staff in accordance with departmental organogram
• Identify and execute on training and development opportunities for departmental team members;
• Manage performance outcomes through KPA & KPI performance tools

• Optimise existing portfolio performance
• Develop Asset Management policies and procedures and implement best practices;
• Ensure the timely preparation, and facilitation of approval of OpEx and CapEx budgets annually;
• Guide the analysis of the Cost to Income and EBITDA ratios of all properties in order to draw relevant insights and inform decision making;
• Identify trends in cost of various properties
• Improve EBITDA ratios of properties through deliberate intervention via an Operational Capital expenditure programme and other Operational enhancements.
• Identify properties which are underperforming, with no further EBITDA improvement opportunities, to be consider for disposal

• Origination & Sourcing
• Pipeline development through property broker network and establishing relationships with key stakeholders (Developers, Universities, Municipalities etc.)
• Mapping of ownership profile of key areas/ markets
• Research property prices and relevant property data gathering

• Facilitate design of architectural floor plans
• Procure cost estimate from Quantity Surveyors
• Conduct Market Research on student and retail rentals
• Audit of zoning and rights
• Investigate and confirm availability of bulk services
• Determine maximum acquisition price
• Model property investment returns
• Present comprehensive Investment Case to Directors and Investment Committee
• Perform post investment reviews

• Interact with brokers and negotiate commission
• Direct negotiations with owners of land/ property
• Manage drafting and conclusion of Sale and Purchase Agreements with Attorney’s & Sellers
• Lead the Due Diligence process for acquisition of properties
• Manage the conveyancing process with attorneys and sellers and bankers

• Ongoing monitoring of institutional and other websites to identify opportunities to develop and/or manage accommodation for Universities;
• Submission and management of tender process when applicable

• Budget / Asset Management.
• Demonstrate successful contract management and team management.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong vendor and client relationships.
• Experience in financial management and budgeting while identifying cost savings/avoidance.
• Advanced Microsoft Office experience (Excel, Word, Outlook) required.
• Innovative outlook to business for solutions providing improvements to process and technology systems
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Ability to network at all levels within the organization.
• Flexibility and adaptability to challenging and changing business requirements is a prerequisite for this role.
• Ability to display initiative, confidence and professionalism in all dealings.
• Must be prepared to be on call and work out of normal working hours where applicable
• A commitment to customer service and the development of a customer centric team and culture.