Portfolio Manager

Macdonald & Company is proud to partner with a leading UK-listed real estate developer, investor and asset manager to appoint a Portfolio Manager to oversee and optimise a diverse income-producing portfolio spanning purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), build-to-rent (BTR), and residential assets across the UK.

Our client is one of the UK's most established mixed-tenure residential platforms, with a proven track record of delivering and managing institutional-grade assets on behalf of blue-chip investors, capital partners and its own balance sheet. With a development and operational portfolio nationwide, the business continues to expand its investment management capabilities to drive long-term value creation and portfolio growth.

This newly created Portfolio Manager role offers the opportunity to take ownership of a substantial stabilised portfolio, working closely with senior leadership and external partners to optimise performance, enhance returns, and support the Group's evolving investment and exit strategies.

Role Overview

Based in the UK, the Portfolio Manager will take responsibility for the strategic and operational management of a multi-asset residential portfolio held through a mix of joint ventures, sale-and-leaseback arrangements, and direct ownership structures. The role will play a critical part in maximising long-term value, overseeing day-to-day portfolio performance, and identifying new opportunities for optimisation, exit, or reinvestment.

Working alongside the investment leadership team, this position will also contribute to the growth of the platform by supporting new acquisition, development, and asset management initiatives, while ensuring best-in-class reporting, governance, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Oversight & Performance

• Manage the firm's portfolio of income-producing PBSA and BTR assets across the UK, including direct holdings and joint venture interests.
• Drive value creation across the portfolio by identifying operational, financial, and strategic opportunities to enhance performance.
• Oversee the mobilisation and delivery of new assets entering operation, working closely with development, operations, and project delivery teams.
• Support the implementation of the Group's "for sale" residential strategy,

Financial & Strategic Management

• Monitor portfolio performance against business plans, budgets, and covenants, ensuring robust risk management and financial discipline.
• Lead quarterly and annual reporting across JV and Group holdings, partnering closely with finance and investment functions.
• Develop performance dashboards, analytics, and investment summaries for leadership and capital partners.
• Contribute to strategic decisions around hold/sell analysis, refinancing, and future capital deployment.

Stakeholder & Partner Engagement

• Act as the day-to-day contact for JV partners, lenders, and internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment across operational and investment priorities.
• Present portfolio performance, recommendations, and strategic initiatives to senior leadership and external partners.
• Represent the business at industry events and networking forums to support the platform's market visibility and partnerships.

Governance & Operational Excellence

• Ensure portfolio activities align with the company's standards for financial control, health & safety, and sustainability.
• Maintain robust governance processes, reporting protocols, and compliance across all investment structures.
• Champion continuous improvement across asset management systems, data accuracy, and decision-support tools.

Candidate Profile

Experience & Strategy

• Degree-qualified, with significant experience in portfolio or asset management within the residential for rent or PBSA sectors.
• Proven track record managing institutional-scale portfolios, ideally including joint ventures, sale-and-leaseback, or co-investment structures.
• Commercially minded with the ability to balance strategic decision-making and operational execution.

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, financial models, and performance reporting.
• Deep understanding of residential capital markets, asset lifecycle dynamics, and value creation levers.
• Comfortable engaging with finance, development, and operational stakeholders across the full investment lifecycle.

Leadership & Communication

• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across internal and external teams.
• Decisive, organised, and analytical, capable of managing multiple projects and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Confident communicator with strong negotiation, reporting, and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Location & Travel

• Based within a commutable distance to Central London with regular travel to project sites and partner meetings nationwide.