Senior Property Manager

James & Partners; Blackheath; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

James & Partners in South East London is looking for an experienced Property Management Team Leader to head a four-person team from its Lee office. You will oversee the management of about 750 residential properties across South East London, ensuring high standards of service and compliance.

The role is office-based with a hands-on leadership approach, offering autonomy to improve processes and performance while developing colleagues and maintaining strong client relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a property management team
• Strong leadership and coaching capability
• Excellent landlord/tenant relationship management

Responsibilities

• Take active role in day-to-day management of a large residential lettings portfolio
• Oversee maintenance enquiries, contractor appointments and remedial works
• Ensure compliance with gas safety, EPC, licensing and lettings legislation
• Review inspections, inventories and tenancy documentation
• Manage end-of-tenancy processes and escalated tenancy matters
• Provide day-to-day leadership and development for the Property Management team

Job description

Salary: Up to £40,000 Basic (Negotiable Depending on Experience) + Commission & Bonuses

Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm

Working Arrangement: Office-Based

About the Business:

I am partnering with one of South East London's most established and highly regarded independent property groups to appoint an experienced Property Management Team Leader to its successful residential management operation in Lee.

With a heritage spanning more than 50 years, my client has grown into one of the most recognisable names in residential property across South East London and Kent. Remaining proudly independent, the business has built an enviable reputation through its extensive local market knowledge, longstanding relationships with landlords and homeowners, and commitment to providing a genuinely personal, high-quality service.

Combining the resources, infrastructure and market presence of a major property group with the values and culture of an independent business, the company offers an established and supportive environment in which experienced property professionals can develop long-term careers.

The group's reputation extends beyond its client relationships. Recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026, the business has received industry recognition for its workplace culture, employee satisfaction and approach to developing and retaining talented people. This is an opportunity to join a respected property business with an established management portfolio, a strong operational support network and a genuine commitment to investing in its people.

The Opportunity:

An opportunity has arisen for an accomplished Property Management professional to take responsibility for a well-established residential management department operating from the company's Lee office.

Leading a close-knit team of four, including yourself, you will oversee the management of approximately 750 residential properties across South East London, working alongside an experienced Senior Property Manager, Property Manager and Junior Property Manager.

This is a genuinely hands-on leadership appointment, rather than a purely supervisory position.

Alongside providing direction, coaching and support to your colleagues, you will remain actively involved in the day-to-day management of the portfolio, handling complex matters, managing landlord and tenant relationships, and taking ownership of escalations requiring a more experienced approach.

The department operates collaboratively, with the portfolio managed collectively rather than divided into individual geographical patches. This creates a particularly varied position, requiring somebody who enjoys being involved in the detail while maintaining a clear view of the department's wider performance.

You will have considerable responsibility for the smooth running of the department, with the autonomy to make decisions, develop your team, maintain exceptional service standards and introduce improvements where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities:

• Take an active role in the day-to-day management of a substantial residential lettings portfolio, ensuring properties are maintained professionally and landlord and tenant expectations are consistently met.
• Oversee maintenance enquiries, contractor appointments, repairs and remedial works, ensuring matters are progressed efficiently and communicated clearly.
• Maintain oversight of property compliance, including gas safety, electrical certification, EPC requirements, property licensing and other relevant residential lettings legislation.
• Review inspection reports, inventories and check-out documentation, identifying matters requiring attention and ensuring appropriate action is taken.
• Oversee end-of-tenancy processes, including deposit negotiations, deductions, disputes and the resolution of more complicated tenancy matters.
• Personally manage sensitive landlord and tenant issues, complaints and escalations, exercising sound judgement and commercial awareness.
• Support possession proceedings and associated matters where required, including occasional court attendances and bailiff appointments.
• Work alongside dedicated pre-tenancy and credit control departments to ensure a joined-up approach throughout the tenancy lifecycle.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance and support to the Property Management team, remaining approachable and actively involved in operational matters.
• Establish clear priorities, distribute workloads appropriately and ensure the department is operating efficiently across its shared portfolio.
• Act as the principal point of escalation for colleagues dealing with complex cases, difficult conversations or matters requiring senior intervention.
• Coach, mentor and develop colleagues, helping less experienced team members build their technical knowledge, confidence and decision-making capabilities.
• Conduct regular team meetings, performance discussions and individual development reviews.
• Promote a professional, collaborative working environment built around accountability, consistency and a high standard of client care.
• Identify opportunities to refine internal processes, improve communication and strengthen departmental performance.

Client Relationships & Commercial Performance

• Maintain strong, professional relationships with landlords, tenants, contractors and colleagues across the wider business.
• Take responsibility for ensuring customer complaints are managed fairly, promptly and with appropriate commercial judgement.
• Monitor departmental performance, service