Architectural Planning, Development & Property ManagerJob Description
We are seeking a proactive, organised and commercially minded Architectural Planning, Development & Property Manager to join our busy commercial property management business.
This is a varied, hands-on role combining property management, architectural planning, development, refurbishment and construction coordination. It would suit someone with experience in property, architecture, planning, construction, building surveying or a related field who is comfortable managing both the day-to-day requirements of a commercial property portfolio and longer-term improvement and development projects.
You will take responsibility for a portfolio of commercial properties, dealing with tenants, contractors, maintenance matters, inspections and general property administration, while also helping to identify and progress opportunities for refurbishment, redevelopment, change of use, subdivision and conversion.
You will work closely with tenants, local authorities, external architects, planning consultants, engineers, surveyors, contractors and other professional advisers, following projects from initial concept and planning through to construction and completion.
Regular travel to properties and development sites throughout the UK will form an important part of the role.
Key ResponsibilitiesProperty Management
- Manage the day-to-day operation of a portfolio of commercial properties.
- Act as a key point of contact for tenants regarding property, maintenance, repair and operational matters.
- Build and maintain professional relationships with tenants, contractors, suppliers and professional advisers.
- Respond promptly to tenant enquiries, maintenance requests and property-related issues.
- Carry out regular property inspections and maintain clear inspection records, photographs and follow-up actions.
- Identify maintenance, repair, health and safety and improvement requirements during property inspections.
- Arrange reactive and planned maintenance works and ensure issues are resolved within appropriate timescales.
- Source, appoint and manage contractors, tradespeople and suppliers.
- Obtain and compare contractor quotations, negotiate where appropriate and ensure value for money.
- Monitor contractors and suppliers to ensure works are completed safely, correctly, on time and to the required standard.
- Maintain accurate property files, contractor details, quotations, invoices, certificates, photographs and other relevant documentation.
- Assist with tenant move-ins, move-outs, property handovers and condition inspections where required.
- Coordinate access to properties for contractors, consultants, surveyors, inspections and works.
- Monitor vacant properties and arrange inspections, security, maintenance and improvement works as necessary.
- Assist with the marketing and preparation of vacant units, including identifying works required to improve presentation and lettability.
- Liaise with letting agents and other property professionals where required.
- Assist with lease-related property matters and liaise with solicitors, surveyors and senior management where appropriate.
- Assist with service charge, insurance, utilities, maintenance and other property-related administration where required.
- Maintain awareness of statutory compliance requirements affecting managed properties and coordinate inspections, assessments, servicing and remedial works where necessary.
- Assist with matters relating to fire safety, asbestos, electrical inspections, gas safety, EPCs and other relevant property compliance requirements, working with suitably qualified professionals.
- Identify opportunities to reduce property operating costs and improve the efficiency, condition and value of assets.
- Provide regular updates to senior management regarding tenant matters, maintenance issues, projects, costs and risks.
Planning & Development
- Liaise directly with local councils and planning departments regarding planning applications, permitted development matters, change of use, building alterations and other property-related enquiries.
- Research planning histories, local planning policies and development opportunities affecting properties within the portfolio.
- Prepare, submit and monitor planning applications and associated documentation.
- Respond promptly to requests for additional information from local authorities and help progress applications efficiently.
- Coordinate with external architects, planning consultants, structural engineers, surveyors, building control professionals and other consultants as required.
- Arrange and coordinate supporting information for planning applications, including Design and Access Statements, surveys, technical reports and other planning documentation.
- Monitor planning application deadlines, consultation periods, conditions and decision dates.
- Assist with discharging planning conditions and coordinating post-approval requirements.
Architectural Drawings & Property Design
- Produce and amend architectural drawings, including existing and proposed floorplans, elevations, site plans and other drawings required for planning, refurbishment and construction purposes.
- Carry out site measurements and surveys of existing buildings where required.
- Maintain accurate drawing records for properties across the portfolio.
- Review existing property layouts and identify opportunities for better utilisation of space.
- Prepare concept layouts for refurbishment, subdivision, conversion and redevelopment projects.
- Work with external architects and consultants on more complex architectural or technical projects.
- Assist in ensuring proposed layouts are practical, commercially viable and appropriate for the intended use.
Refurbishment, Construction & Project Management
- Identify opportunities for refurbishment, improvement, redevelopment, subdivision, extension or conversion within the portfolio.
- Assist with feasibility assessments for proposed property projects.
- Prepare scopes of work, schedules and specifications for refurbishment, maintenance and conversion projects.
- Obtain and evaluate quotations and tenders from contractors and suppliers.
- Assist with contractor selection and appointment.
- Coordinate contractors, consultants and other parties throughout project delivery.
- Monitor project budgets, expenditure, programme and quality.
- Carry out regular site visits to inspect works and monitor construction progress.
- Identify defects, delays, variations and other issues requiring attention and work with relevant parties to resolve them.
- Review contractor invoices and progress claims against completed works where required.
- Maintain project records, photographs, quotations, approvals, drawings and correspondence.
- Coordinate practical completion, snagging and remedial works.
- Provide regular project progress and cost updates to senior management.
- Assist in ensuring completed projects are properly documented and handed back into ongoing property management.
Commercial & Asset Improvement
- Take a commercially minded approach to the management and improvement of the property portfolio.
- Identify opportunities to increase rental potential, improve property condition, reduce vacancies or enhance capital value.
- Review vacant or underutilised areas and propose potential alternative uses, subdivisions, conversions or refurbishment strategies.
- Consider the practical and financial viability of proposed works before recommendations are made.
- Assist senior management in assessing potential acquisitions, refurbishment opportunities and development projects where required.
- Support the preparation of property budgets and monitor expenditure against agreed budgets.
- Challenge unnecessary expenditure while ensuring properties remain safe, compliant and appropriately maintained.
Administration & Reporting
- Maintain clear and accurate records for individual properties and projects.
- Maintain planning application trackers, project trackers, contractor databases and property maintenance records.
- Keep records of quotations, purchase orders, invoices and project costs.
- Ensure property drawings, leases, certificates, photographs and other relevant documentation are appropriately organised.
- Prepare reports, schedules, property updates and project summaries for senior management.
- Communicate effectively with tenants, contractors, consultants, local authorities, agents and other relevant parties.
- Assist the wider property management team with administrative and operational duties.
- Support senior management with ad hoc property, development, planning and construction-related projects and tasks.
Qualifications & Experience
- A degree, professional qualification or relevant practical experience in Property Management, Architecture, Architectural Technology, Planning, Construction, Building Surveying, Real Estate or a related field is preferred.
- Previous experience within commercial property management, property development, architecture, construction or a similar environment would be advantageous.
- Experience managing or coordinating the day-to-day requirements of commercial properties would be highly desirable.
- Experience dealing directly with commercial tenants and contractors would be beneficial.
- Experience preparing architectural drawings, particularly floorplans and elevations.
- Competence using AutoCAD or similar CAD/design software.
- Experience with SketchUp, Revit or other architectural/design software would be advantageous.
- A good understanding of the UK planning system, including planning applications, change of use and permitted development, would be highly desirable.
- Experience communicating with local authority planning departments and external professional consultants would be beneficial.
- Practical understanding of building maintenance, refurbishment, construction and property improvement works.
- Previous experience sourcing, appointing and managing contractors and tradespeople is desirable.
- Experience obtaining and comparing quotations and monitoring project costs would be advantageous.
- Knowledge of commercial leases and landlord and tenant responsibilities would be beneficial.
- Awareness of property compliance, health and safety and statutory inspection requirements would be advantageous.
- Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage several properties, tenants and projects simultaneously.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
- Confident using Microsoft Office, email, spreadsheets and general business administration systems.
- Commercially minded, practical and capable of identifying solutions to property, tenant and construction-related issues.
- Able to prioritise effectively and respond to urgent property matters when required.
- Comfortable working independently while also collaborating effectively with colleagues and external consultants.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly to properties and sites is highly advantageous.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be practical, organised, commercially aware and comfortable taking ownership of both properties and projects.
You will enjoy a varied role rather than one focused exclusively on architectural design or traditional property management. One day you may be speaking with a tenant about a maintenance issue, arranging quotations and inspecting a property, while another may involve preparing a proposed floorplan, speaking with a planning officer or reviewing refurbishment works on site.
You should be confident communicating with tenants, councils, consultants and contractors and capable of following matters through from initial identification to completion.
You will be able to balance the immediate operational requirements of a commercial property portfolio with longer-term opportunities to improve, refurbish, convert or redevelop assets.
A proactive approach is essential. We are looking for someone who identifies issues and opportunities, proposes practical solutions and takes responsibility for ensuring actions are followed through.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop broad experience across commercial property management, asset improvement, planning, refurbishment and development within a busy and growing property business.
Pay: £26,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
