Job Description

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Lead Property Manager to join our Cape Town team and provide comprehensive back-office support for our growing UK portfolio of residential properties, block management services, and future commercial assets. This is a senior role with responsibility for coordinating the full property management lifecycle remotely, working closely with UK-based landlords, tenants, contractors, and service providers.

You will be the central coordination point for property management administration, tenant communications, maintenance scheduling, compliance tracking, and landlord reporting. This role requires strong organisational skills, excellent communication abilities,s. As our portfolio expands into commercial property, this role will grow accordingly, making it an excellent opportunity for an ambitious professional seeking career development within an international organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Residential Property Management Support

Provide remote management support for a portfolio of UK residential lettings, ensuring properties are well-maintained and tenancies run smoothly Coordinate tenant sourcing, process referencing applications, right-to-rent checks, and prepare tenancy agreements Schedule and coordinate property inspections with UK-based contractors; process inventory reports Manage tenant communications, handling enquiries, complaints, and dispute resolution professionally via phone, email, and video calls Administer rent collection, monitor arrears, and manage deposit handling in compliance with UK deposit protection schemes Process tenancy renewals, rent reviews, and end-of-tenancy administration including deposit negotiations Track and ensure compliance with all relevant UK legislation including Gas Safety, EICR, EPC, HMO licensing, and selective licensing requirements

Block & Leasehold Management Support

Provide administrative support for residential block management including freeholder/leaseholder communications and service charge administration Prepare and administer annual service charge budgets; oversee collection tracking and accounting Coordinate with UK-based managing agents, contractors, and service providers for communal area maintenance Prepare documentation for AGMs and resident meetings; administer Section 20 consultations where required Track building insurance renewals, health & safety compliance, and fire risk assessment schedules Maintain accurate records for each block including lease terms, major works schedules, and sinking funds Handle leaseholder enquiries, disputes, and requests for consents or alterations

Maintenance & Contractor Coordination

Act as the central coordinator between tenants, landlords, and the group's UK-based maintenance services division Receive, log, and manage maintenance requests through property management systems, ensuring timely allocation and resolution Obtain quotes from approved contractors, process approvals within authority limits, and track job completion and quality Schedule regular property and communal area inspections with UK contractors; follow up on inspection findings Manage planned preventative maintenance schedules and coordinate major works projects remotely Track all compliance certifications (gas, electrical, fire safety, legionella) ensuring they are current and properly documented

Landlord & Client Relations

Serve as a primary point of contact for landlords and property owners, providing professional and responsive communication Prepare and distribute regular portfolio updates, performance reports, and financial statements Advise landlords on market conditions, rental values, and property improvements to maximise returns Support onboarding of new properties and landlords, coordinating property assessments and management agreements Identify opportunities to expand services and support business development efforts

Financial Administration

Monitor and administer rent collection; track arrears and coordinate recovery actions Process landlord payments and produce monthly financial statements Administer service charge accounts, ensuring transparency and compliance with RICS guidelines Monitor property performance against budgets; identify and report cost efficiencies Support year-end accounting and audit processes for managed blocks

Compliance & Documentation Management

Ensure full compliance tracking for UK landlord and tenant legislation, including the Housing Act, Landlord & Tenant Act, and Renters Reform requirements Maintain up-to-date knowledge of UK regulatory changes and support implementation of procedural updates Coordinate property-related insurance documentation and claims administration Ensure GDPR compliance in handling tenant and landlord data Maintain comprehensive digital filing systems for all property documentation

Commercial Property Management Support (Future Growth)

As the portfolio expands, take on back-office management support for commercial properties including retail, office, and mixed-use assets Administer commercial lease obligations, rent reviews, break clauses, and tenant communications Coordinate with commercial tenants on fit-out documentation, alterations, and dilapidations processes Oversee service charge reconciliation and CAM (common area maintenance) administration for commercial assets

Platform & Systems Management

Utilise and maintain property management software systems to ensure accurate and up-to-date records Coordinate service fulfilment through the group's property management platform Generate reports and analytics to support decision-making and portfolio performance tracking Identify opportunities for process improvements and system enhancements Support integration of new properties and data migration into management systems

Team Contribution & Development

Support the Cape Town Operations & Commercial Manager in developing the property management function As the portfolio grows, assist with training and supervising junior property coordinators and administrators Contribute to establishing best practices, procedures, and service standards Collaborate effectively with UK-based colleagues across time zones

Requirements

Experience & Skills

Minimum 3-5 years' experience in property management, lettings administration, or real estate back-office operations Strong knowledge of UK landlord and tenant legislation, leasehold law, and compliance requirements (or demonstrable ability to learn quickly) Experience with rent collection administration, arrears management, and service charge accounting Proven ability to coordinate with contractors and manage maintenance workflows remotely Excellent organisational skills with ability to manage multiple properties and priorities simultaneously Outstanding written and verbal English communication skills Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build relationships remotely with landlords, tenants, and stakeholders Proficient in property management software and CRM systems; strong Microsoft Office skills Experience working with UK clients or in a UK-facing back-office role advantageous

Qualifications

Degree or diploma in Property Management, Real Estate, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience) UK property qualifications (ARLA, IRPM) advantageous but not essential Willingness to undertake UK property management training and certification

Personal Attributes

Proactive, solutions-oriented, and able to work independently with minimal supervision Strong attention to detail and commitment to service excellence Calm under pressure with excellent problem-solving abilities Ambitious and eager to grow with an expanding international organisation Flexible approach with willingness to accommodate UK business hours (some GMT/BST overlap required) Professional telephone manner and confident communicator

Working Hours

10am -6:30pm and 10:30 - 7pm shifts

About Us

Altwork is the operational arm of Kosmas Enterprises, which has a dynamic and growing UK-based group operating across property management, maintenance services, and PropTech sectors. Our Cape Town office serves as the central hub for back-office operations, providing critical support functions that enable the group's UK property services businesses to scale efficiently. We are building an integrated property services platform that combines technology innovation with high-quality service delivery, creating value for landlords, tenants, and property owners across the UK market.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person