Head of Property Management

About Bruntwood SciTech

Bruntwood SciTech is the largest property platform in the UK dedicated to supporting growth in the technology, innovation, and science sectors. Operating as a joint venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General, and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, it develops city-wide innovation ecosystems and specialist environments that help companies of all sizes thrive. Its portfolio includes high-quality office and laboratory spaces, combined with tailored business support and access to finance, talent, markets, and extensive partner networks. Key locations include Bloc, Alderley Park, Circle Square, and Pall Mall.

Role Overview

The Head of Property Management is responsible for the strategic leadership and overall performance of the property management function across Bruntwood SciTech's national portfolio. The role supports the asset and property management teams to ensure operational excellence and portfolio effectiveness. The office is located at Union on Albert Square in Manchester city centre, with occasional travel required to Leeds, Liverpool, and Birmingham.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee service charge budgets, including management of reconciliations and guidance to regional teams to ensure cost-effectiveness and accuracy.
• Collaborate closely with the lead Finance Manager to develop and enforce a national timetable for service charge delivery to maintain full compliance.
• Identify requirements for property management system improvements, acting as the primary stakeholder for enhancements to Salesforce and internal workflows.
• Coordinate service charge reporting across regions, compiling comprehensive portfolio-wide reports for senior management.
• Drive performance tracking by supporting regional teams in analyzing service charge reports and implementing operational improvements.
• Manage collection and communication of market benchmarks and key performance indicators to keep the portfolio competitive and commercially creative.
• Oversee national service charge supplier relationships, ensuring contractual performance aligns with business objectives.
• Lead property management aspects of due diligence for new acquisitions and manage mobilization or disposal processes effectively.
• Set budgets and advise on Property Management Agreements for new developments or major redevelopment projects.
• Act as the strategic liaison between property management and wider operations and supplier management teams.

Candidate Profile

• Proven experience owning property management functions within a real estate business, preferably with large institutional funds or high-profile portfolios.
• Demonstrated experience embedding best practices across property portfolios and collaborating with finance teams to improve portfolio efficiencies.
• Strong relationship-building skills to foster collaboration across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Leadership qualities to represent the property management function both internally and externally with suppliers.
• Competence in driving service charge performance reporting and operational improvement initiatives.
• Expertise in setting up and managing service charge budgets with multiple schedules, ensuring correct apportionments.
• Ability to analyze service charges against industry benchmarks and advise clients on potential savings and service enhancements.

Benefits and Perks

• 28 days of annual leave plus an additional day off for your birthday, with the option to buy or sell holiday days.
• Annual company bonus scheme.
• Volunteering hours credit of 24 hours per year to support causes you care about.
• Sabbatical opportunity of up to 12 months after five years of service.
• Healthcare cash plan covering medical expenses including optical, dental, and physiotherapy.
• Life assurance coverage for all employees.
• Up to 8% matched pension contributions.
• Discounts and cashback offers at major retailers.
• Enhanced maternity and shared parental leave with 26 weeks of fully paid leave.
• Interest-free loans for personal development and up to £2,000 funding for learning new skills.

Additional Information

The organisation is committed to charitable giving through the Oglesby Charitable Trust, which has donated over £30 million since 2001 to support arts, education, environment, medical research, and social equity causes. Based in Manchester city centre, this role involves occasional travel to other regional sites including Leeds, Liverpool, and Birmingham.