Leasing Associate

AKO is a collection of thoughtfully designed, fully furnished studios across London, where the comfort of a hotel meets the soul of a home, available for a night, a month, or a year. AKO's debut building opens in Elephant & Castle in Spring 2027, with Wimbledon following in 2028 & South Bank in 2030.

AKO is built as the antidote to the soulless serviced apartment, the anonymous hotel chain, and the contrived co-living brand. Each building is rooted in the neighbourhood it sits in, fully serviced with no add-ons, and designed to host genuine cultural programming, from co-working and wellness to events and partnerships with brands including Adidas, Universal and Sony.

Role Purpose

AKO is looking for a driven and personable Leasing Executive to lead the lease up of our first scheme, AKO Elephant & Castle, with 259 studios due to open in Spring 2027. Reporting to the Operations Director, you will be the first person most future guests meet, and the one who turns early interest into signed licences and a full building.

You will join ahead of opening, which means building the pipeline from scratch. That covers shaping the enquiry process, learning the local market inside out, working with the marketing team on campaigns that actually land, and holding the pipeline together from first enquiry through to move in. Once guests are in, you will keep occupancy strong through renewals, referrals and genuine word of mouth.

If you are commercially minded, brilliant with people and want the rare chance to let a building from day one, this could be your next role. As a new brand aiming to become a market leader, we need someone prepared to get stuck in as we grow. This is a 12 month fixed term role based at AKO Elephant & Castle, with the option to broaden across AKO Wimbledon and cover both sites as the portfolio expands.

Key Responsibilities

Lease Up and Launch

• – Own the lease up plan for AKO Elephant & Castle, working with the Operations Director to hit occupancy, rate and revenue targets ahead of opening.
• – Build the enquiry pipeline from scratch, nurturing interest in the months before practical completion so the building opens with real momentum.
• – Support the set up of the marketing suite and show studios, making sure both are viewing ready and represent the brand properly.
• – Convert prospects into viewings, viewings into applications, and applications into signed licences, keeping every stage moving.
• – Plan and organise your diary to maximise viewing volume without letting follow up slip.

Sales and Viewings

• – Conduct viewings in a personal and engaging way, telling the AKO story straight and securing the let.
• – Respond to telephone, email and web enquiries promptly, professionally and with warmth.
• – Know the building, the studios, the amenities and the neighbourhood inside out, and be a genuine ambassador for the brand.
• – Handle objections confidently and negotiate terms within agreed parameters.
• – Manage cancellations and withdrawals sensibly, winning back what can be won back.
• – Understand the comp set properly, so you can explain clearly why AKO is the better choice.

Guest Journey and Move In

• – Own the experience from first enquiry through to move in, keeping communication clear, human and consistent.
• – Process lets through to completion, including referencing, right to rent checks, licence agreements and payments.
• – Work with the wider team on move in day, so a guest's first hours feel as good as the tour promised.
• – Drive renewals and retention once the building is occupied, building relationships that keep people staying.
• – Generate referrals and repeat business from guests who are happy to recommend us.

Marketing and Market Knowledge

• – Carry out regular competitor analysis and lettings market appraisals, keeping AKO pricing and positioning sharp.
• – Feed insight from viewings and enquiries back to the Operations Director and the marketing team, so campaigns reflect what prospects actually respond to.
• – Support marketing activity including open days, launch events, partnerships and local outreach.
• – Build relationships with relocation agents, corporate bookers, universities and local employers to widen the enquiry pool.

Systems, Reporting and Compliance

• – Keep the CRM and Property Management System (PMS) accurate and up to date, so the whole team works from the same picture.
• – Report regularly on enquiries, viewings, conversion, occupancy and achieved rate, flagging trends early.
• – Make sure all lettings activity meets legal and regulatory requirements, including right to rent, deposit protection, licensing legislation and data protection.
• – Handle deposits, payments and paperwork accurately and on time.

Growth Across the Portfolio

• – As the portfolio expands, support the lease up of AKO Wimbledon, with the scope to cover both sites.
• – Share what works between buildings, helping shape the leasing playbook AKO will use in every scheme.

Person Specification and Skills

• – Proven sales or lettings experience, ideally within build to rent, co-living, student accommodation or hospitality.
• – A track record of hitting targets, with the commercial instinct to know how to get there.
• – A genuine people person who builds rapport instantly and is comfortable talking to anyone.
• – Excellent written and spoken communication, personable rather than scripted.
• – Strong organisational and time management skills, able to run a busy diary without dropping the detail.
• – Sound working knowledge of UK lettings legislation and the licence process, including right to rent and deposit protection. ARLA qualification is a real advantage.
• – Confident using a CRM and a Property Management System (PMS), alongside Microsoft Office.
• – Comfortable with ambiguity and happy to build process where none exists yet.
• – Proactive and self motivated, able to work autonomously and take sensible decisions.
• – High attention to detail, in the paperwork and in personal presentation alike.
• – A real interest in London, its neighbourhoods and the people who live in them.
• – Flexible on hours, including weekend and evening viewings through the lease up.

This is a fixed term role of 12 months from the start date, with the potential to extend and broaden across the wider portfolio. This job description is not exhaustive and is intended as a guide to the role. Responsibilities may change over time, particularly across the mobilisation, launch, and stabilisation phases of the building. The role may require the need to undertake other duties reasonably appropriate to the role.

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