Commercial Asset Manager for a Local Authority in West London!

JOB PURPOSE:
This council's Housing Revenue Account (HRA) has a commercial portfolio of around 170 property assets with a rent roll of over £4m. The Council's Property and Social Investment team (P&SI) managed all aspects of this portfolio on behalf of Housing Management until recently.
Housing Management now carries out all landlord duties in terms of property maintenance and supports the P&SI team through resident engagement to commence and extend leases that promote the economic and social wellbeing of local areas.
This role will be the initial point of contact for all Commercial HRA issues that arise within Housing Management and carry out the relevant Housing Management services to ensure that Housing Management fulfils its duties as landlord.

These include the following activities:

Commercial leaseholders are responsible for repairs within their premises in a majority of cases and the Council is responsible for the repair and maintenance to the structure of the buildings.

Environmental issues (such as pest control, rubbish collection, lighting etc.) that affect commercial leaseholders and where commercial properties adversely impact residents are resolved.

Engagement with resident groups to ensure that community relations are maintained and that leases are granted that enhance the economic and social wellbeing of the area.

Housing Management as the landlord are also responsible for fulfilling landlord duties under the Electronics Communications code of Dec 2017 of providing access to telecom operators in conjunction with the P&SI team or any appointed telecoms property management service provider.

Site inspections to review options appraisals to make sure we maximise the use of our commercial portfolio.

Support of the Head of Asset management, to produce a commercial portfolio roadmap over the following ten years to make sure we have the best portfolio to maximise income and promote economic and social
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Perform the leading client role in all matters in connection with commercial assets, ensuring that they are managed according to set performance objectives and targets and facilitating or carrying out data analysis and decision-making

Negotiate on behalf of the council with telecommunication companies and appoint specialist surveyors to act in the council's interests.

Responsible for Commercial Leaseholders, P&SI team, appointed telecoms' property management services and any other stakeholders on matters pertaining to commercial properties. To be a point of escalation for issues arising.

Use a strategic approach to identify opportunities for additional rental revenue from increasing the commercial use of HRA property assets and supporting the Strategic Asset Manager in exploring and developing many opportunities.

Developing proposals, including writing reports, conducting financial analysis and making recommendations, as required to identify and secure new sources of capital and revenue income.

Work with other departments to ensure that commercial assets are put through the asset review process as and when determined by the Council's housing asset management strategy

Ensure that all commercial tenants have leases and address occupations without signed leases in place

Ensure that repair requests on commercial properties and other council properties affecting commercial premises are completed.

Liaise with the Repairs or Capital works teams to raise requests for repairs or renovations to vacant properties.

A

Equal OpportunitiesDemonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Council policies in relation to equality, customer care and service delivery, and the ability to implement these policies in the workplace.

B

Qualifications
Essential:Property/property management qualification (RICS accredited Membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) if eligible or comparable experience within the field

C
Skills; Experience and Attitude
Essential:The ability to keep accurate and well-structured records to track progress and performance. Experience of interpreting and working with leases or other forms of contracts. A broad understanding of the technical compliance requirements of leased buildings. A track record of successfully influencing and negotiating with stakeholders. Great communication style and ability to write well-structured reports and letters. Experience of providing an excellent standard of customer service, including previous experience handling complaints. Up-to-date knowledge of business tenancies and leases. Experience of commercial property management. Experience of dealing with members of the public in a service delivery capacity. Experience of managing Health and Safety compliance as well as the resolution of environmental issues. Experience of securing new sources of capital and revenue income. Understanding environmental issues such as pest control, rubbish, lighting matters. Knowledge of landlord duties under the Electronics Communications code of Dec 2017 of providing access to telecom operators #