Head of Property Management

Are you a Chartered Property Manager with experience of managing Mixed Property Portfolios with demonstratable leadership experience managing property teams coupled with superb stakeholder management skills? Initial 6-month contract with opportunity to go permanent or extend the contract.
Interim Head of Property Management is required to work for the Client Organisation (High Speed Two Ltd) responsible for the New High-Speed Rail project in the UK. The Head of Property Management will report to the Head of Property Services managing a property team of 10 (Property Management Surveyors) within High-Speed Two’s Land and Property Team.
As Property Asset Management Lead within the Land and Property Team you will be responsible for the complete management of the portfolio of properties acquired by The Department of Transport and managed by HS2 Ltd as a result of it’s the land acquisition programme.
The property portfolio is made up of 1700 very mixed private properties spread between London, Birmingham and Crewe, this mixed bag of properties are mainly residential (flats, houses, mansions, social housing, all sorts), but also includes agricultural, commercial and industrial. You will give leadership to a team of Property Management Surveyors who are tasked at delivering value for money for taxpayers through the maximising of property income from rents and disposals.
Head of Property will also be responsible for Supplier Management of Cartas Jonas, HS2 appointed estate managers. A key part of the role will also be managing the complex and often sensitive web of stakeholders from MP’s, Ministers, Local Authority, Dft etc the ability to manage these relationships and handle their request for information. You will also manage the property disposal programme.
Work Situation – Hybrid
The office location is Birmingham City Centre, and they operate a flexible hybrid working model working around 2 days a week from the office (Tuesday & Friday). Overall, this is a very flexible modern employer who cares about delivery not where you deliver from, however, if you wish to be based from the office more you can.
Head of Property Management £750 – 850 a day (INSIDE IR35)
Accountabilities
* Lead for ensuring pro-active commercially focused management of HS2’s land and property portfolio
* Lead the specification of and selection process for appointment, retention and management of HS2’s property managing agents to ensure the day to day delivery of high-quality estate management including monitoring through monthly reports and KPI’s performance on lettings, rent collection, maintenance, repair and disposals
* Leading and ensuring Land and Property pre-acquisition procedures are completed in a timely and accurate manner and the management of properties through the appointed agents including evaluation and instruction of repair and maintenance works and monitoring and budgeting of fees and expenses is undertaken within HS2 policy and commercial guidelines.
* Ownership of all property and management related information that is developed or influenced by the scope of work undertaken and ensure complete and accurate data is recorded in Land and Property systems in an efficient and effective manner
* Providing to the Head of Property Services and Land and Property HS2 Finance representative financial reports and forecasts including monthly income and costs statements
* Manage the budget for the DfT/HS2 assets, rentals and expenses, according to existing HS2 financial policies
* Provide support to senior members of the internal and external team as required on property management matters and deputise for the Head of Property Services as required
* Participate as necessary in consultation events to explain aspects of the compensation schemes to members of the public, stakeholders or interested groups
* Build strong and ongoing relationships with colleagues from within different departments at HS2 and the Department for Transport.
* Input to the production of regular management reports from Land and Property to HS2 corporate governance bodies.
* Lead the sales process for the HS2 properties not required for the project according to the DfT/HS2 property disposal policy
* Ensure all land and buildings in the HS2 property portfolio comply with Health and Safety regulations, HHSRS standards and legislation and that the Company’s Health and Safety policies and processes including CDM are fully implemented. Including acting as CDM Project Manager for all construction works undertaken on HS2 managed properties.
* Actively promote and embed Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all your work, and support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies and procedures on EDI.
Required Criteria
Experienced Commercial Chartered Surveyor who has been responsible for leading & managing mixed property portfolios and have demonstrable leadership experience managing teams of property surveyors. Open to people from a range of backgrounds – private practice, property agents, client organisations etc.
Must have excellent stakeholder management skills and be able to effectively manage demanding and political stakeholders.
Skills:
Leadership and people management including the ability to coach and develop the Property Management team.
Stakeholder management of property management suppliers
Analytical and financial skills
Ability to set strategy for the Property management team.
Reporting on all Properties in the portfolio including risks and issues being managed.
Ability to lead the Public facing communications of the Property Management team.
Ability to manage the response to MPs & residential commission requests – H&S and Incursion from protestors.
Ability to produce and present documents and reports to a variety of audiences, including internal stakeholders at various levels in the organisation
IT skills, including Word and Excel or equivalent packages
Ability to engage with affected landowners on sensitive issues and demonstrate empathy and listen to their feedback
Knowledge:
* Knowledge of health and safety regulations and practice including CDM regulations
* Knowledge of all types of property Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural
* RICS qualified or equivalent experience (including the legal knowledge)
* Knowledge of the acquisition process and construction project management.
* Understanding of the Data Protection Act
Type of experience:
* Must be Chartered Surveyor, with a strong Residential management experience, at least 500 mixed properties (not just 500 flat units) with knowledge of commercial as well.
* Managing a large mixed portfolio of properties (commercial, residential, and agricultural) and budgeting and forecasting income and expenditure.
* Managing a large mixed residential portfolio – HS2 portfolio includes mansions, flats, terraced, family homes, new developments, city centre villas
* Practical application of CDM regulations for the purposes of construction works.
* Experience of commissioning work from/working with professional advisers and consultants including solicitors and chartered surveyors
* Experience of managing suppliers (property managers and letting agents) and supplier appointment, monitoring and performance management
* Experience of supervising the disposal of property assets.
* Line management experience and of leading and developing a team to reach its full potential
Leadership Qualities
Inspirational Leadership, Cross-matrix influencing, Collaboration, Co-ordinating cross business teams, Business Judgement, Inspiring differentiation & Growing Talent

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