Assistant Asset Manager

Assistant Asset Manager

Location: West Sussex
Contract: Temporary
Hours: 37 hours per week
Rate: £18.85 per hour PAYE / £23.19 per hour Umbrella
Working Pattern: Blended working – approximately 3 days per week in the office/onsite, with attendance in Worthing required on Mondays, Wednesdays and usually one additional day

We are working with a Local Authority in West Sussex to recruit an Assistant Asset Manager to support the management of a diverse commercial and community property portfolio.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with commercial property or non-residential asset management experience who is looking to develop their career within a varied and busy estates environment. The successful candidate will work closely with senior members of the Property and Investment Team and will play an important role in the day-to-day management and administration of the Council's estate.

Please note: This is not a residential housing, maintenance or facilities management role. Applicants must have previous experience within a commercial, non-residential, community or charity property environment.

As Assistant Asset Manager, you will provide support across a broad range of commercial property and asset management activities, including:

• Supporting the management of the Council's commercial and community property portfolio
• Acting as an initial point of contact for landlord, tenant and property-related enquiries
• Assisting with rent reviews, lease negotiations, property sales, licences and other contractual arrangements
• Supporting the administration of property transactions and legal documentation, including leases and licences
• Undertaking property inspections, viewings and vacant property inspections
• Assisting with the letting of non-residential properties, car parks and garages
• Liaising with commercial agents, consultants, contractors and other external stakeholders
• Instructing repairs and other works where required
• Supporting income generation and property disposal initiatives
• Processing purchase orders and invoices through the Council's financial management system
• Monitoring income and expenditure, reconciling accounts and reporting financial exceptions
• Supporting service charge administration and property-related financial processes
• Maintaining accurate property and asset data across estate management, GIS and related systems
• Recording meter readings and maintaining accurate property records
• Supporting the team in responding to changes in legislation, including MEES and other environmental regulations
• Ensuring property responsibilities and compliance obligations are accurately recorded and understood
• Developing strong working relationships with tenants, businesses, community organisations and property professionals

We are looking for a proactive, organised and commercially minded property professional with the right attitude and approach.

You will ideally have experience within a commercial property, estates, community property or charity-sector environment and will understand the practical demands of managing a non-residential portfolio.

Essential experience and skills include:

• Previous experience in commercial or non-residential property management
• Experience of working with tenants, businesses, external consultants or property agents
• Experience of supporting financial and property administration
• Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail
• Good financial awareness, including experience of invoices, purchase orders, income and expenditure
• Ability to read and interpret property documents such as leases, licences and related agreements
• Strong IT skills and confidence learning new property and financial management systems
• Ability to work independently and manage a varied workload
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• A proactive, adaptable and positive approach to work
• Ability to undertake property inspections and travel across the local area when required

Experience of Local Authority property management would be beneficial but is not essential. Candidates from the private sector, commercial property, community property or charity sector are encouraged to apply.

A business-related degree or progress towards RICS qualification would be advantageous but is not essential.

Location & Working ArrangementsDue to the nature of the role, candidates will be expected to attend the Worthing office and sites regularly, normally around three days per week, with office attendance typically required on Mondays and Wednesdays.

The Council may consider two days per week in the office for an exceptional candidate. We are ideally looking for candidates who are relatively local to Worthing and the surrounding area, although detailed local knowledge is not essential.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience across a broad commercial and community property portfolio while working within a supportive and collaborative Property and Investment Team.

If interested, please contact Josh on 01772 208967 or joshua.hull@servicecare.org.uk