General Manager - Retail (Sandton) at Growthpoint Properties

Duties and responsibilities:

Operational

• Collaborate with the Asset Managers to ensure that the service provided by Property Management meets all requirements.
• Coordination and consolidation of the Retail Sector’s salary and bonus review in conjunction with Human Resources consolidation and ensure monthly allocations to buildings are correct.
• Coordination of the mid-year and final year performance review.
• In conjunction with Learning & Development team, develop a training plan, budget, and the implementation thereof.
• Implement the staff retention strategies and succession planning for the Retail Sector.
• Manage the take on of properties and staff as well as the sale of buildings where staff may move with them.
• Identify opportunities to optimise or enhance financial performance.
• Development and reporting of management information to identify trends and opportunities to enhance the Retail Sector’s performance, client experience.
• Research, develop and implement systems, procedures and structures that would enhance the functioning and productivity of property management.
• Implementation of governance structures and processes to liaise with other Sectors and functions.
• Deal with issues identified by Asset Managers.
• Managing the Sector’s relationships with the various support divisions within Growthpoint to ensure that the Retail Sector is fully supported in undertaking their functions.
• Manage the Head Office support services contracted to Co-owners in terms of HR, IT and financial and property management.

Property Management:

• KPI Management
• Benchmarking of KPI’s against the market.
• Draft and drive implementation of strategy for the Region.  
• Strategy to deal with initiatives to ensure KPI’s of each portfolio are met.
• Promote Client retention and implement Client retention initiatives (promote the interface with Clients).
• Take ownership of and manage regional KPI’s in line with targets, and report into Asset Manager.
• Manage arrears effectively.

Reporting:

• Review, implement and improve reporting standards on a continuing basis.

Strategic:

• Strategically assist and guide the Portfolio Managers in recommending and implementing deals/ extensions/ refurbs/etc. in consultation with Asset Management.
• Strategic market & trend analysis to understand the key drivers of the property management industry.
• Keep abreast of market trends.
• Be the link between the portfolio’s and the Asset Manager in regards to KPI’s.
• Manage the sector in line with overall asset management and Property Management objectives.
• Evaluate and approve Capital expenditure in line with returns.

Budget:

• Responsible for the compiling and delivery of the GMS Retail Sector budget.
• Pro-Active Management of the Regional Property Budget to achieve maximum growth Year on Year.
• Ensure Annual Budget process is consistent (drafting, assumptions etc).
• Provide guidelines for budget assumptions to ensure the budget process is efficient and the teams have a clear understanding of what the targeted growth is.
• Responsible for delivery on budget, not to exceed, and to manage the total cost to income ratio.

Other

• In conjunction with Facilities Management ensure that all buildings comply with Operational Health and Safety requirements and all building regulations.
• Build and maintain relationships, with key players in the property industry, this task will be assisted by the utilization of the CRM system.
• Develop, implement, and manage a CRM system.
• Identify opportunities to optimise structure and streamline processes to enhance overall efficiency.

Requirements

Experience & Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree and / or diploma and a minimum of seven (7) years of Retail Shopping Centre management experience.
• Five (5) years’ experience in managing teams. 
• Property Management Software (MRI) experience.

Competencies

• Credit Management techniques.
• Financial Management Systems and Accounting principles is a prerequisite.
• International Financial Reporting Standards (MSCI).
• Administration, Operations & Business processes, Policies and Procedures.
• Stakeholder Management & Relations.
• Service Level Agreements, Lease and Documentation Administration.
• Knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety Act and relevant legislation and regulations.
• Understanding of Facilities Management in a Built environment.
• Business and management principles -strategic planning, resource allocation, HR, leadership, Skills development and people coordination.
• Business Analysis.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Ability to deliver on time and within budget.
• Strong organizational abilities, accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Must have an in depth understanding of market trends.