Portfolio Manager – Retail

Ability Executive Recruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent recruitment agency is seeking a Portfolio Manager in Cape Town to oversee the strategic and operational management of retail and commercial property assets. This role requires expertise in financial management, asset optimization, and stakeholder engagement. Candidates should possess relevant tertiary qualifications and professional accreditations, along with significant experience in portfolio management. The position offers an opportunity to drive sustainable income growth and long-term value creation within a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Chartered Accountant (CA) is highly preferred.
• Significant experience in retail and commercial property portfolio management.
• Strong financial and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic oversight of a diversified portfolio of retail and commercial properties.
• Develop and execute asset plans to enhance income performance.
• Direct lease negotiations to optimize rental returns.

Skills

Financial modelling

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Portfolio management

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Real Estate, Property, Finance or related discipline

Professional accreditation (e.g., RICS, API, CPM)

Job description

Ability Executive Recruitment | Full time

Cape Town, South Africa | Posted on 06/10/2025

The Portfolio Manager will be accountable forthe strategic and operational management of a diversified portfolio of retailand commercial property assets. The role requires a balance of financialacumen, asset management expertise, and stakeholder engagement to deliversustainable income growth and long-term value creation in line with the Fund’sinvestment objectives.

• Leadthe strategic oversight of a portfolio comprising retail and commercialproperties, ensuring alignment with the Fund’s investment strategy.
  
• Developand execute asset plans to drive value creation, enhance incomeperformance, and mitigate risk.
  
• Undertakeregular performance reviews including analysis of occupancy, incomestreams, capital expenditure, and market benchmarking.
  
• Identifyand implement opportunities for repositioning, redevelopment, andvalue-add initiatives.
  

Leasing & Tenant Management

• Directlease negotiations, renewals, and rent reviews to optimize rental returnsand tenant mix.
  
• Maintainstrong tenant relationships to promote high occupancy levels andsustainable income.
  
• Monitortenant performance, compliance with lease obligations, and manage disputeswhere required.
  

Financial & Risk Management

• Prepare,manage, and report on asset-level budgets, forecasts, and financialperformance.
  
• Monitorrental arrears, service charge recoveries, and cost efficiency tosafeguard income streams.
  
• Supportacquisition and divestment initiatives through due diligence,underwriting, and financial modelling.
  
• Ensurecompliance with statutory obligations, regulatory frameworks, andcorporate governance standards.
  

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaisewith external advisors, property managers, valuers, and contractors toensure best-in-class service delivery.
  
• Partnerwith internal teams including Finance, Legal, and Development to deliverportfolio strategies.
  
• Provideaccurate and timely reporting to senior management, investment committees, andexternal stakeholders.
  

Requirements

• Tertiaryqualifications in Real Estate, Property, Finance, or a related discipline.A Chartered Accountant (CA) is highly preferred.
  
• Professionalaccreditation (e.g., RICS, API, CPM) strongly preferred.
  
• Significantexperience in retail and commercial property portfolio management, ideallywithin an institutional or fund environment.
  
• Strongfinancial and analytical skills, including experience with financial modelling,forecasting, and valuation methodologies.
  
• Demonstratedability to manage complex stakeholder relationships across tenants,investors, and service providers.
  
• In-depthknowledge of property markets, leasing structures, and regulatoryframeworks.
  
• Proventrack record in driving asset performance and delivering strategicoutcomes.