Associate Director

I’m currently looking to speak with an experienced and ambitious Associate Director to join a successful surveying team and play a key role in the management of a diverse portfolio of properties and client relationships.

This is an excellent opportunity for a confident property professional who enjoys combining strategic thinking, client management and hands-on property management. You’ll take ownership of a selection of properties and work closely with Directors, clients, occupiers and service partners to ensure consistently high standards of service and performance.

The role also offers the opportunity to lead and develop people, contribute to new business opportunities and have a genuine influence on the future direction of the properties and portfolios under your management.

Property & Client Management

• Take responsibility for the day-to-day management and reporting of a portfolio of properties, ensuring excellent service delivery and strong client relationships.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, occupiers, suppliers and wider stakeholders.
• Regularly inspect properties, monitor standards and provide clear feedback and direction to site and property management teams.
• Provide property management leadership across your portfolio, supporting asset management strategies, client objectives and funding requirements.
• Manage occupier relationships, helping to improve satisfaction, engagement and retention through effective communication, forums, meetings and initiatives.
• Review and interpret leases and other relevant documentation, ensuring occupier obligations are understood and appropriately managed.
• Oversee matters relating to maintenance, licences to assign, changes of use, alterations and occupier applications, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and lease requirements.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, manage and develop property managers, setting high standards and creating a positive and collaborative team environment.
• Support colleagues in delivering consistently high standards of service and professional advice.
• Take an active role in team projects and initiatives, sharing knowledge and helping to develop the wider surveying team.
• Demonstrate initiative, accountability and a proactive approach to managing priorities and delivering results.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Monitor statutory, regulatory and internal compliance requirements across your portfolio.
• Coordinate audits, assessments and specialist advice where required.
• Work closely with service partners to maintain appropriate records, control documents, logbooks and management systems.
• Ensure properties are managed in accordance with relevant RICS standards, legislation, insurance requirements and agreed client procedures.
• Identify potential risks and issues early, taking appropriate action and escalating matters where necessary.

Service Charge Management

• Support the preparation of service charge budgets, including clear and informative budget explanations.
• Monitor monthly expenditure and year-end service charge accounts, ensuring effective budgetary control.
• Review outgoing costs, investigate variances and address outstanding issues or backlogs.
• Ensure service charge management is carried out in line with relevant RICS guidance and client requirements.

Business Development

• Play an active role in new business pitches, tenders and presentations.
• Contribute to business development strategy and the preparation of high-quality proposals and supporting documentation.
• Identify opportunities to enhance existing client relationships and develop new business.
• Support due diligence and provide property management input into building and site acquisitions.

What I’m Looking For

I’m looking to speak with someone who combines strong technical property management expertise with excellent commercial and interpersonal skills.

• Proven experience in property management, with the ability to manage a portfolio confidently and independently.
• Experience of line managing and developing property managers.
• Strong client-facing skills and the confidence to communicate with senior stakeholders.
• Excellent knowledge of leases, property management processes and occupier matters.
• Experience of service charge budgeting, expenditure monitoring and year-end processes.
• A strong understanding of statutory and regulatory compliance.
• The ability to inspect properties, identify issues and drive improvements in standards.
• Experience contributing to or leading new business opportunities, pitches or tenders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong report-writing ability.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively and meet deadlines.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the confidence to make decisions.
• The ability to build strong relationships and work collaboratively with clients, occupiers, colleagues and external partners.
• A willingness to embrace change, technology and new ways of working.
• A commitment to continuous learning and developing both yourself and others.
• MRICS is desirable but not essential.

For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Sam Jefferson

📞 07917 042 950

📧 Sam@varnomross.co.uk

I’m a specialist General Practice property recruiter with over 10 years’ experience. If this role isn’t quite right but you’d like to explore your options, I’d be very happy to have a confidential conversation.