Director of Asset Management

Job Role - Director of Asset Management

Salary - Competitive + Car Allowance + Bonus

Location - London, covering UK

Job Type - Permanent, Hybrid

FirstPort is the UK's leading residential property management business, managing thousands of developments across England, Scotland, and Wales.

FirstPort serves close to a million residents and works with developers, freeholders, RMCs, and RTMs to deliver consistently excellent property management. The business is investing in the capability of its Asset Management function, strengthening governance, technical assurance and digital asset information as it takes on an increasingly complex portfolio, including critical infrastructure, heat networks and emerging building technologies.

The Role

Reporting into the COO, the Director of Asset Management will provide strategic leadership for FirstPort's Asset Management function, creating a connected, data-led operating model that protects and enhances clients' assets while supporting Regional Service Delivery.

The successful candidate will lead and develop the Asset Management Leadership Team, own Critical Infrastructure & Energy as the function's top strategic priority, and build the long-term capability needed to manage increasingly complex residential assets.

This is a senior role combining strategic direction with hands-on technical leadership. Success will be measured in the delivery of the Asset Management Strategy, development of the operating model, and improved asset information, governance and client confidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Asset Management Leadership Team, establishing governance, accountability and performance standards across the function
• Own FirstPort's strategic approach to Critical Infrastructure & Energy, including heat networks, utilities, smart building technologies and complex engineering assets
• Ensure the organisation is prepared for future legislation, regulation and technological change affecting residential energy and infrastructure
• Provide executive oversight of Asset Management Plans, lifecycle investment strategies and the Major Works governance framework
• Work collaboratively with Regional Operations and Service Charge Accounts to support reserve fund planning and long-term financial sustainability
• Provide strategic oversight of Asset Information & Intelligence, ensuring a trusted digital asset register and asset hierarchy
• Sponsor the development of digital asset capabilities, including QR asset identification and future technology adoption
• Provide executive oversight of planned statutory programmes and asset assurance activities, ensuring appropriate governance and contractor performance arrangements
• Support the Growth function in positioning FirstPort as the UK's leading residential Asset Management provider, including strategic bids and client presentations
• Represent FirstPort with regulators, developers, clients and strategic partners on technical and energy matters
• Champion the development of a connected, data-led Asset Management capability, driving innovation in digital inspections and supplier integration
• Act as executive sponsor for Asset Management across the business, building trusted relationships with clients, developers and strategic partners

Person Specification — Essential

• Executive leadership experience within Asset Management, Engineering, Infrastructure or Property
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams, with a clear understanding of how complex residential or infrastructure assets are managed
• Track record in capital investment, lifecycle planning and Major Works governance
• Knowledge of building safety, technical compliance and digital asset management
• Strong commercial acumen and senior stakeholder management, able to represent the business with regulators, developers and clients
• Desirable: Heat Networks and energy infrastructure experience, ISO 55001 awareness, and Chartered professional status
• Based within, or willing to work extensively across, the UK, with regular travel expected

Person Specification — Desirable

• Background in social housing, given the breadth of technical and operational challenges that sector provides FirstPort is specifically open to candidates from this background
• A generalist, adaptable profile spanning residential property, FM, infrastructure or utilities, rather than deep specialism in a single sector
• Experience integrating asset management into a broader operational strategy, with a focus on proactive and preventive maintenance
• Familiarity with digital asset management systems, structured reporting and portfolio intelligence tools

What can FirstPort Offer

• Competitive salary
• Private medical insurance and life assurance
• Pension with matched employer contributions
• Accredited CPD and professional development support
• Employee well-being and discount programme
• Executive-level visibility and genuine career development prospects

Recruitment Disclaimer

This vacancy is being managed exclusively by Dan Rodgers at Joshua Robert as part of a retained search assignment. All applications and expressions of interest submitted in response to this advert will be forwarded directly to Dan Rodgers for review and management as part of the recruitment process.

Direct approaches or applications to the client organisation may be redirected to Joshua Robert. By submitting your application, you acknowledge that your details may be shared with Dan Rodgers and the Joshua Robert Recruitment Team for the purposes of this recruitment process and in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.