Commercial Asset Manager – AR

Job Details

Job Description: Commercial Asset Manager / Commercial Estates Surveyor

Job Title:

Commercial Asset Manager / Commercial Estates Surveyor

Directorate:

Finance & Corporate Resources

Department:

Strategic Property Services – Commercial Estates

Location:

London Borough of Hackney

Responsible To:

Principal Surveyors

Grade:

PO8

Role Purpose

The Commercial Asset Manager / Commercial Estates Surveyor will be responsible for the strategic and operational management of a diverse commercial property portfolio owned by the Council.

The role involves managing commercial assets to maximise rental income, improve portfolio performance, ensure statutory compliance, and support wider Council objectives. The successful candidate will undertake a range of professional surveying duties including lease renewals, rent reviews, lettings, valuations, property inspections, landlord and tenant matters, asset management planning, and dispute resolution.

You will manage relationships with commercial tenants, contractors, professional advisers, internal Council teams and external stakeholders, providing expert property advice and supporting effective management of the Council’s commercial estate.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Property Portfolio Management

  • Manage a portfolio of Council-owned commercial properties, including retail, office, community and mixed-use assets.
  • Maximise rental income and identify opportunities to improve asset performance.
  • Undertake property inspections and ensure assets are effectively managed and maintained.
  • Monitor void properties and implement strategies to reduce empty periods and financial loss.
  • Manage landlord and tenant relationships, resolving queries and complex property matters.

Lease Management & Income Generation

  • Lead on commercial lease renewals, rent reviews and negotiations.
  • Manage lettings of vacant commercial units, including assessing prospective tenants and negotiating lease terms.
  • Prepare and negotiate Heads of Terms, licences for alterations and other property agreements.
  • Manage rent arrears alongside income teams, supporting recovery action where required.
  • Deal with tenant requests including assignments, subletting, changes of use and lease variations.

Property Compliance & Maintenance

  • Ensure commercial properties comply with statutory requirements, health and safety legislation and Council policies.
  • Work closely with technical teams and contractors to coordinate repairs, maintenance and improvement works.
  • Monitor contractor performance and ensure works are delivered effectively.
  • Support planned maintenance programmes and capital works across the commercial estate.

Asset Management & Strategic Advice

  • Support the development and delivery of the Council’s Asset Management Plan.
  • Provide professional property advice to Council departments, senior managers and elected Members.
  • Identify opportunities for acquisitions, disposals, investment, retention and alternative uses of assets.
  • Undertake options appraisals and support regeneration and sustainability objectives.
  • Contribute to the Council’s sustainability and Net Zero ambitions across commercial properties.

Valuations & Professional Surveying

  • Support commercial property valuation programmes, including statutory and financial reporting requirements.
  • Undertake professional surveying duties in line with RICS standards.
  • Prepare property reports, appraisals and recommendations for senior stakeholders.

Stakeholder & Contractor Management

  • Build effective working relationships with:
    • Commercial tenants
    • Legal teams
    • Finance colleagues
    • Regeneration teams
    • Technical services
    • External consultants and contractors
  • Negotiate effectively with stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
  • Manage consultants and contractors to ensure value for money and quality delivery.

Essential Experience & Skills

The successful candidate will have:

  • Significant experience managing commercial property portfolios.
  • Experience in commercial estates, general practice surveying or property asset management.
  • Strong knowledge of:
    • Rent reviews
    • Lease renewals
    • Commercial lettings
    • Landlord and tenant legislation
    • Property compliance requirements
  • Experience managing complex property negotiations and disputes.
  • Experience working with contractors, consultants and professional advisers.
  • Ability to prepare reports and provide professional advice to senior stakeholders.
  • Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.

Desirable Experience

  • Experience working within a local authority or public sector property environment.
  • RICS qualification (MRICS) or working towards qualification.
  • Experience undertaking commercial valuations.
  • Knowledge of property asset management systems and databases.
  • Experience managing community or voluntary sector property portfolios.

Qualifications

  • Relevant degree or equivalent qualification.
  • RICS membership or working towards RICS qualification (Commercial Property or Valuation pathway preferred).
  • Evidence of continued professional development.

Ideal Candidate Background

Suitable candidates may come from backgrounds such as:

  • Commercial Estates Surveyor
  • Senior Estates Surveyor
  • Commercial Property Surveyor
  • Commercial Asset Manager
  • Property Asset Manager
  • General Practice Surveyor

Candidates should have experience managing commercial property portfolios within councils, housing associations, property consultancies, or similar organisations, with strong knowledge of commercial leases, income generation and landlord responsibilities.