Leasing Specialist at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Leasing Specialist in the Facilities Management and Security Services portfolio. The incumbent will manage CSIR property leased to third parties to enhance strategic partnerships and generate revenue from surplus property assets.
• The incumbent will also manage activities necessary to plan and control the effective and efficient use of the CSIR properties including tenant relationship management. This position is based in Pretoria. 

Key responsibilities:

Strategic Management 

• Formulate, implement and manage the CSIR's leasing plan and standards;
• Formulate the tenant mix for CSIR's property portfolio;
• Provide input into the CSIR's Property Portfolio and Infrastructure Management;
• Develop operational plan to ensure that all CSIR facilities and buildings support organizational strategies and provide safe environment to its inhabitants.
• Manage key strategic relationship between The CSIR and various Tenants 

Financial Management

• Perform strategic financial analysis to understand capital and operating expenses for the property portfolio;
• Draft annual rental budgets and forecasting;
• Plan, manage and control operating expenditures for the tenant portfolio;
• Ensure correct and efficient preparation of information for the billing of internal and external tenants; 
• Collect rent and deposits and manage rental arrears: 
• Manage all property and lease related payments; 
• Create and maintain recurring rent schedules and security deposit information;
• Prepare variance reports and reconciliations as needed.

Leasing Administration and Management

• Oversee the leasing of CSIR properties to maximize cash flow on the rental properties and minimize vacancy loss; 
• Advertise and market rental property and prequalify prospective tenants;
• Provide tenant screening and lease document resources;
• Negotiate and prepare lease agreements and ensure timely lease renewals;
• Support Facilities Management by recommending and implementing capital improvement projects; 
• Conduct property and building inspections; schedule repairs and maintenance;
• Establish compliance with quality standards and specifications;
• Provide input to the Maintenance Plan for the CSIR properties;
• Liaise with all appropriate departments such as Projects, Maintenance and ICT to ensure that they provide adequate services required to maintain world class CSIR properties;
• Conduct market research and benchmarking exercises, analyze market information, market trends and operational costs and recommend annual rent increases to management;
• Manage comprehensive lease database including all historic transactions and agreements;
• Accountable for the integrity of the Real Estate Portfolio Management Module on the Computer Aided Facilities Management system;
• Provide monthly and quarterly reports; 
• Plan and allocate work for space planners.

Tenant Relationship Management

• Manage tenant relationships once the lease is signed to retain tenants;
• Serve as primary point of contact for operational issues with landlords, tenants and others;
• Serve as liaising officer between tenants and CSIR on all issues relating to lease agreements; 
• Resolve user lease and occupancy issues, investigate and reconcile complaints, and assure compliance with all lease terms;
• Build and maintain an excellent relationship with external tenants.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A National Diploma in Real Estate, or BSc in Property Studies or Property Management with at least eight years experience in leasing, real estate and/or property management;
• SAPOA certificate in Property Management will be an advantage; 
• Experience in Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) system;
• Working knowledge of CAFM systems particularly Real Estate/Property Management application will be an advantage;
• Advanced knowledge of real estate/property management, commercial leasing and applicable compliance regulations;
• Understand Corporate Real Estate and Facilities Management;
• Ability to design tenant strategies and tenant mix;
• The capacity to build relationships and to attract key strategic partners to lease space in the CSIR campus to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing;
• Ability to negotiate lease agreements and ensure there is no risk of exposure to the business;
• Practical and resource management, management of property and tenants;
• Strategic and thought leadership and ability to build strategic partnerships;
• Financial acumen and attention to detail;
• Influencing and negotiation skills;
• Conflict management and presentation skills; 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Customer service and quality orientation.