We are partnering with a leading PLC housebuilder to appoint a strategic Estates Manager for their Sevenoaks-based regional office. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will hold a pivotal role in the senior management team, taking full accountability for the legal and financial setup of new developments and the professional transition of estates to Resident Management Companies.
This is not a technical adoptions role; rather, it is a commercially focused position centred on estate governance, service charge integrity, and maintaining the developer’s reputation through the professional management of completed schemes.
Key Responsibilities
* Estate Governance: Lead the design and implementation of management regimes for all new developments, ensuring they are sustainable, compliant, and deliver value for money for future residents.
* RMC Lifecycle Management: Oversee the full lifecycle of Resident Management Companies, from initial incorporation and director appointments through to the final handover to resident-controlled boards.
* Legal Frameworks: Collaborate with external solicitors to ensure all management agreements, leases, and transfers are robust and correctly structured from the outset of a project.
* Managing Agent Procurement: Lead the tender and appointment process for external managing agents, setting clear Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and KPIs to ensure high standards of estate maintenance.
* Financial Oversight: Review and approve all initial service charge budgets, ensuring accurate apportionments across complex, multi-phase developments.
* Strategic Stakeholder Management: Act as the primary point of escalation for resident committees and managing agents, resolving high-level disputes and ensuring a seamless customer journey post-completion.
* Performance Auditing: Conduct regular site inspections and management audits to ensure that appointed agents are fulfilling their contractual obligations and maintaining the brand's aesthetic standards.
The Candidate
* Sector Expertise: Significant experience in residential estate management, either within a PLC developer or a senior role at a national managing agent.
* Legal Literacy: A deep understanding of the Landlord and Tenant Act, RMC structures, and the requirements of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act.
* Financial Acumen: Highly proficient in service charge budgeting and the financial administration of residential estates.
* Communication: A sophisticated communicator capable of navigating complex negotiations with resident groups and external partners.
* Professionalism: A self-motivated professional who can operate with autonomy and provide expert counsel to the regional board.