Junior Asset Manager

Position Summary:
The organisation strives for local market leadership and is continually seeking to enhance its reputation among both the public and members of the property industry for honesty, integrity and competence. The overall mission of the company is to ensure the provision of high-quality property services and sustainable long-term value creation across its portfolio.

As Junior Property Asset Manager, the individual will support the active management, optimisation and strategic oversight of the organisation’s property portfolio within the Eastern Cape region. The role is commercial, analytical and operational in nature, focusing on asset performance, strategic input, feasibility analysis, capex motivation and value enhancement initiatives.

The role is not an accounting, bookkeeping, tax or payroll position. Statutory reporting and transactional finance functions are performed at head office level. The Junior Property Asset Manager’s responsibility is to interpret financial and operational information, translate it into insights, and support informed asset-level decision-making.
The position reports directly to the Regional Manager – Eastern Cape and requires close collaboration with property management, leasing, facilities, finance and head office teams. The role will involve regular interaction with regional assets and therefore may require travel within the Eastern Cape from time to time as required. The position offers a fixed salary and the role will be based at the regional office in East London.

Responsibilities:
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 not be limited to, the following areas:
Asset Performance & Portfolio Management

• Interpret asset-level financial and operational performance against approved budgets, forecasts and feasibilities;
• Analyse variances, identify underperformance, 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 underperformance on a portfolio level.

Financial Analysis, Budgets & Variance Management

• 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

Capex Planning, Feasibilities & Exco Submissions

• 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

Strategic Asset Management & Decision Support

• 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

Leasing, Tenant & Income Optimisation Support

• 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…