General Manager - New BTR Scheme - Leeds - £60,000+ Bonus

deverellsmith; Leeds; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Job summary

DeverellSmith Group in Leeds is seeking a General Manager for a new Build-to-Rent development. You will lead mobilisation, build the on-site team to nine, establish standards and drive a seamless resident experience from launch.

The role combines operational leadership with commercial accountability, shaping occupancy, revenue, budgets and KPIs, while ensuring safety and compliance in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment. Start February 2027.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a site or operation in Build-to-Rent / PBSA / hotels
• Proven ability to lead teams and drive operational performance
• Strong commercial awareness with lettings, occupancy or revenue targets
• Track record of delivering excellent customer experiences
• Experience managing budgets and reporting against KPIs
• Good knowledge of property management, health and safety and residential legislation
• Excellent leadership, communication and organisation skills
• Ability to take ownership and thrive in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• Mobilisation & launch of the development, onboarding the on-site team
• Drive lettings and commercial performance, occupancy and revenue targets
• Oversee day-to-day operations, maintenance and safety
• Create a strong resident experience and community
• Lead and develop a nine-person on-site team
• Manage budgets, forecasts and KPIs

Skills

Leadership

Commercial acumen

Team management

Job description

Leeds | Up to £60,000 + 10% Bonus | Permanent

An opportunity to launch something special.

I'm working with a leading residential developer and operator who are preparing to launch an exciting new Build-to-Rent neighbourhood in Leeds, and we're looking for an ambitious, commercially minded General Manager to take the lead.

This isn't an opportunity to inherit an established building and simply keep things ticking over. You'll be joining at the very beginning, taking ownership of the mobilisation, building your team, establishing operational standards and bringing an entirely new residential community to life.

It's a fantastic opportunity to put your stamp on a major new development and play a significant role in shaping its success.

The Role

General Manager – Build-to-Rent

As General Manager, you'll have overall responsibility for the operational, commercial and financial performance of the development.

You'll lead the project through its mobilisation and launch, before taking ownership of the day-to-day operation, ensuring the building runs seamlessly, residents receive an exceptional experience and commercial targets are achieved.

You'll recruit, develop and lead a multidisciplinary on-site team of nine, creating a positive culture with a strong focus on customer experience, operational excellence and commercial performance.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Mobilisation & Launch: Lead the operational mobilisation, contractor handover, recruitment and onboarding of the on-site team, and establish the systems and processes needed for a successful launch.
• Lettings & Commercial Performance: Drive the leasing strategy, occupancy, rental income and revenue targets, ensuring an excellent prospect journey and minimising void periods.
• Building & Property Management: Oversee the day-to-day running of the development, including maintenance, contractors, inspections, building presentation and compliance.
• Resident Experience: Create a genuine sense of community, delivering an outstanding resident journey through engagement initiatives, events, communication and excellent service standards.
• Team Leadership: Build, motivate and develop a team of nine, setting clear expectations and creating a high-performing, customer-focused culture.
• Financial & Operational Management: Own budgets, forecasts and business plans, monitor KPIs and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and financial performance.
• Health & Safety: Ensure the development operates safely and compliantly, maintaining high standards across fire safety, statutory compliance and building management.

About You

We're looking for someone who combines strong operational leadership with commercial awareness and a genuine passion for customer experience.

You’ll ideally have:

• Previous experience managing a site or operation within Build-to-Rent (BTR), Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), Hotels or Residential Property Management.
• Experience leading teams and taking responsibility for the operational performance of a property or hospitality environment.
• Strong commercial awareness, ideally with experience overseeing lettings, sales, occupancy or revenue targets.
• A track record of delivering excellent customer or resident experiences.
• Experience managing budgets, analysing performance and reporting against KPIs.
• A good understanding of property management, health and safety and relevant residential legislation.
• Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• The ability to take ownership, make decisions and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Experience of a new development mobilisation, building handover or operational launch would be particularly advantageous.

The Opportunity

This is a chance to join a major new residential development at a genuinely exciting stage.

You’ll have the autonomy to build your own team, establish the operational culture and shape the experience residents will have from the moment the doors open.

With significant future expansion planned for the wider neighbourhood, there’s also the opportunity to be part of something that will continue to evolve and grow over the coming years.

Package:

• Salary up to £60,000
• 10% discretionary annual bonus
• Permanent position
• February 2027 start

Interested?

If you’re currently working in BTR, PBSA, hotel operations or residential property management and would relish the opportunity to launch and lead a brand-new development in Leeds, I’d love to hear from you.

This is a particularly exciting opportunity for someone looking to take the next step in their career and make a real impact.