Junior Asset Manager

Ability Executive Recruitment | Full time

East London, South Africa | Posted on 14/01/2026

We are seeking a candidate with a stronger strategic and operational asset management focus, including interpreting (not producing) financial information, analysing performance and deviations, supporting forecasts and feasibilities, and contributing to value-enhancing decisions across the portfolio – to a large extent, a right-hand person to the Regional Manager.

As Junior Property Asset Manager, the individual will be responsible for supporting asset-level performance, strategic initiatives and commercial decision-making across the regional portfolio. This will include, but is not limited to, the following areas:

• Interpret asset-level financial and operational performance against approved budgets, forecasts and feasibilities
• Analyse variances, identify under-performance, risks and opportunities, and prepare clear commentary for the Regional Manager and team
• Review vacancies, lease expiries and income sustainability across the portfolio and provide guidance on how to improve these and reduce risks
• Identify income leakage, cost inefficiencies and value erosion risks at asset level
• Support corrective action planning in response to under-performance on a portfolio level

• Interpret management accounts, budgets and forecasts and translate financial data into commercial insights
• Assist with preparation of asset-level forecasts, cash flow projections and scenario modelling
• Analyse budget deviations and overspends and propose mitigation strategies
• Support the Regional Manager in managing and controlling overspend risks
• Prepare asset summaries and performance dashboards for internal reporting

• Assist with regional capex planning, prioritisation and tracking
• Prepare financial feasibilities and return analyses for refurbishments, upgrades, redevelopments and change-of-use initiatives
• Compile capex motivations and supporting documentation for submission to Exco
• Track approved capex projects against budgets, timelines and strategic objectives
• Conduct post-implementation reviews to assess performance against expected returns

• Support buy / hold / sell analysis and asset-level strategic assessments
• Assist with preparation of investment memorandums and disposal recommendations
• Conduct market research relating to rentals, demand, competitors and regional trends within the Eastern Cape
• Support longer-term asset strategy formulation and implementation
• Track execution of approved strategies and report on outcomes

• Work closely with Leasing and Property Management teams to support income optimisation initiatives
• Provide commercial input into leasing deals, renewals, restructures and incentive proposals
• Monitor tenant performance and credit risk from an asset value perspective
• Review tenant reconciliations, escalations and risks from a commercial standpoint
• Support renewal, restructuring or exit strategies where required
• Assist with preparing tender documentation and proposals

• Liaise with Property Management, Facilities, Leasing and Finance teams to ensure alignment with asset strategies
• Monitor operational issues that may impact asset value, including maintenance, vacancies, tenant risk and cost pressures
• Assist with review of operating cost structures and efficiency initiatives (without performing accounting functions)
• Escalate material risks, inefficiencies or value-impacting issues to the Regional Manager
• Support resolution of escalated operational matters

• Prepare asset-level reports, presentations and dashboards for senior management and Exco
• Provide regular reporting and commentary to the Regional Manager
• Support ad hoc analysis and reporting requests as required
• Comply with all internal processes, policies and governance requirements
• Perform any other reasonable duties as required in support of regional asset management objectives

• Degree or diploma in Property Studies, Real Estate, Finance, Economics, Commerce or a related field
• 1–3 years’ experience in property, asset management, property analysis, consulting or property finance roles
• Exposure to retail, commercial, mixed-use and/or student portfolios advantageous
• Strong Excel and financial modelling and presentation skills