Junior Asset Manager

Ability Executive Recruitment; East London; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic recruitment agency in South Africa seeks a Junior Asset Manager for East London. The successful candidate will support strategic asset management and financial analysis across the regional portfolio. Responsibilities include interpreting performance against budgets, assisting with forecasts, and optimising tenant income. Candidate must have a degree in Property Studies or related fields and 1-3 years experience in property or asset management. The role offers a full-time contract in a vibrant team environment.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years’ experience in property or asset management roles.
• Exposure to retail, commercial, mixed-use and/or student portfolios advantageous.
• Strong Excel and financial modelling skills required.

Responsibilities

• Interpret asset-level financial and operational performance against budgets.
• Assist with preparation of asset-level forecasts and cash flow projections.
• Support buy/hold/sell analysis and asset-level strategic assessments.
• Work closely with Leasing and Property Management teams.

Skills

Strategic asset management

Financial analysis

Excel proficiency

Property analysis

Education

Degree or diploma in Property Studies

Finance, Economics, Commerce, or related field

Job description

Ability Executive Recruitment | Full time

Junior Asset Manager

East London, South Africa | Posted on 14/01/2026

We are seeking a candidate with a stronger strategic and operational asset management focus, including interpreting (not producing) financial information, analysing performance and deviations, supporting forecasts and feasibilities, and contributing to value-enhancing decisions across the portfolio – to a large extent, a right-hand person to the Regional Manager.

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 is not limited to, the following areas:

Responsibilities

• Interpret asset-level financial and operational performance against approved budgets, forecasts and feasibilities
• Analyse variances, identify under-performance, 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 under-performance 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 standpoint
• Support renewal, restructuring or exit strategies where required
• Assist with preparing tender documentation and proposals

Operational Oversight & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Liaise with Property Management, Facilities, Leasing and Finance teams to ensure alignment with asset strategies
• Monitor operational issues that may impact asset value, including maintenance, vacancies, tenant risk and cost pressures
• Assist with review of operating cost structures and efficiency initiatives (without performing accounting functions)
• Escalate material risks, inefficiencies or value-impacting issues to the Regional Manager
• Support resolution of escalated operational matters

General Business & Reporting

• Prepare asset-level reports, presentations and dashboards for senior management and Exco
• Provide regular reporting and commentary to the Regional Manager
• Support ad hoc analysis and reporting requests as required
• Comply with all internal processes, policies and governance requirements
• Perform any other reasonable duties as required in support of regional asset management objectives

Requirements

• Degree or diploma in Property Studies, Real Estate, Finance, Economics, Commerce or a related field
• 1–3 years’ experience in property, asset management, property analysis, consulting or property finance roles
• Exposure to retail, commercial, mixed-use and/or student portfolios advantageous
• Strong Excel and financial modelling and presentation skills