Head of Service Charge

Cedar; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cedar in London’s Mayfair seeks a Head of Service Charge to own all service charge matters across three ultra-luxury residential sites. You will set financial governance standards and act as the trusted contact for residents, advisers and management.Reporting to CFO, you will lead autonomy and influence.

Key duties include budgeting, reconciliation, policy consistency, and cost controls across concierge, security and facilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' service charge accounting experience in high-end residential property.
• Experience managing service charge across multiple sites.
• Strong knowledge of residential leasehold legislation and service charge regulation.

Responsibilities

• Own all service charge matters across three sites, including budgeting, demands, reconciliations and disputes.
• Manage full service charge cycle for each site: budgets, quarterly demands, year-end accounts.
• Ensure policy, process, reporting and controls are consistent across the portfolio.
• Prepare clear reporting for the board, residents, and senior management.
• Lead service charge accounting team and drive process improvements.

Skills

Service charge accounting

Multi-site oversight

Financial governance

Stakeholder communication

Team leadership

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualification

Tools

MRI Cube

Job description

Head of Service Charge: Ultra-Luxury Residential
Location: Mayfair
Type: Permanent, full-time

The opportunity

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a Head of Service Charge to take full ownership of service charge requirements across three operational sites in the heart of London's West End. These ultra-luxury residential addresses are home to an international resident's community with the highest expectations of transparency, accuracy and service.

The sites are owned by a family office with a substantial real estate portfolio spanning several continents. As a long-term owner, it takes a considered, quality-led approach to its assets and expects the same from the people who look after them. This is a chance to work closely with a sophisticated, internationally minded ownership group, where your judgement will be valued and your work will be visible at the highest level.

This is a genuinely end-to-end role. You will be the single accountable owner for all service charge matters across all three sites, setting a consistent standard of financial governance and acting as the trusted point of contact for residents, their advisers and the wider management team. Reporting to the Financial Controller/CFO, you will have real autonomy and influence.

Key responsibilities

• Take ownership of all service charge matters across all three operational sites, from budgeting and demands to reconciliation, queries and disputes
• Own the full service charge cycle for each site, including annual budgets, quarterly demands, year-end accounts and reconciliations
• Bring consistency to policy, process, reporting and controls across the portfolio, while respecting the individual lease terms and character of each site
• Prepare and present clear, accurate reporting to the board, resident's representatives, senior management and the family office
• Manage reserve and sinking fund strategy, including long-term planned maintenance and major works funding
• Ensure full compliance with lease terms, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the RICS Service Charge Residential Management Code, including Section 20 consultation and Section 20B requirements
• Manage service charge arrears and credit control, and handle resident queries and challenges with tact and authority
• Oversee supplier contracts and cost control across concierge, security, facilities, utilities, insurance and amenities, identifying savings and efficiencies across the three sites
• Lead liaison with external auditors, surveyors, solicitors and managing agents, including any tribunal (FTT) matters
• Lead, develop and support the service charge accounting team across all sites [confirm team size]
• Drive process improvement and make effective use of property management and accounting systems

About you

• Minimum 10 years' service charge accounting experience, gained in high-end residential property rather than commercial
• Experience managing service charge across more than one site or scheme, with the ability to prioritise and keep standards consistent
• Strong working knowledge of residential leasehold legislation and service charge regulation
• Proven track record of preparing budgets and year-end accounts for complex, multi-service residential schemes
• Confident communicator, comfortable dealing with high-net-worth residents, their representatives and a private ownership group
• Excellent attention to detail, with the commercial judgement to challenge costs and spot risk
• Discretion and professionalism in handling sensitive, confidential matters
• Experience managing or mentoring team members
• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of MRI Cube
• Background in prime central London, serviced or hotel-branded residences
• Experience working with family offices, private landlords or international owners
• Experience of FTT (Property Chamber) disputes