General Manager in Manchester

Build Your Future with Colby River. At Colby River, we are shaping the landscape of UK real estate. With expertise across Investment Management, Development Management and Property Management, we take a strategic, long-term approach to investing in, developing and operating high-quality residential communities across the UK. We operate across key living sectors including Multi-Family Living, Single Family Housing (SFH) and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA). By combining deep market insight with disciplined operational delivery, we create sustainable value for our investors and exceptional experiences for our residents.

About the Role: Colby River Property Management are seeking a General Manager to oversee the day-to-day running of their community at Botanica in Manchester. This development of 363 build to rent apartments and townhouses brings a combination of private and corporate lets to the management portfolio. We are looking for a manager who excels in team management and leadership, customer service, budget control and overall property management to retain the high standards of occupancy and value at this top-rated development. This is a role which will allow someone to set the standard for how the general management and service offering is delivered at Botanica. This is an exciting opportunity for a driven residential property professional to shape and elevate the resident experience at one of Manchester’s leading BTR developments.

What you will do:

• Team Leadership: Lead, motivate, and develop the onsite team; conduct training, mentoring, and performance appraisals; drive operational efficiency and service excellence; support continuous improvement of onsite processes and procedures.
• Resident Experience & Customer Service: Deliver a first-class customer experience to all residents; build a strong sense of community through events and engagement initiatives; respond proactively to resident feedback and service requests; develop and deliver resident engagement strategies.
• Lettings & Marketing: Working alongside the Regional Leasing Manager to maximise occupancy and rental growth; ensure apartments and communal areas are presented to exceptional standards; oversee marketing campaigns, portals, and social media activity; support and develop team performance across lettings and administration.
• Building & Property Management: Oversee maintenance and repair programmes; coordinate health & safety compliance and building inspections; manage contractor relationships and service providers; ensure communal areas and facilities are maintained to a high standard; support M&E management alongside external providers.
• Asset & Financial Performance: Manage and optimise operational expenditure budgets; identify opportunities for ancillary revenue generation; support business planning and performance reporting; deliver value for money through effective contractor and supplier management.
• Safety & Compliance: Ensure the building remains compliant, secure, and safe; conduct and record regular inspections and safety checks; coordinate tenancy inspections and permits to work; respond to emergency situations outside of standard hours where required.

About You: We are looking for a dynamic and commercially minded leader with proven experience in residential property management and a strong track record of delivering operational and financial performance. You will be confident managing a complex asset, leading teams, and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders with ideally the following skillset/experience:

• Previous experience in residential or Build-to-Rent property management.
• Strong people management and leadership experience.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Knowledge of residential property maintenance and compliance.
• Understanding of landlord & tenant legislation and health & safety requirements.
• Experience managing budgets, contractors, and operational performance.
• A hands-on, solutions-focused approach with strong organisational skills.
• A passion for creating exceptional resident experiences and thriving communities.

What We Offer: Competitive salary of up to £50k subject to experience; annual discretionary bonus; employer matched pension scheme; life insurance x3; private medical insurance; generous annual leave entitlement, with the option to buy more; EV scheme; cycle to work scheme; retail, leisure and lifestyle discounts; employee wellbeing support.

Why Colby River? Colby River combines disciplined investment with operational expertise and a commitment to quality at every stage of the asset lifecycle. Joining us means being part of a business with clear direction and strong governance — where your contribution, whether operational or strategic, plays a vital role in our continued growth.