Head of Residential Advisory & Management in London

About Daniel Watney

Daniel Watney is a modern, partner-led practice with a focus on exemplary client service. We offer a diverse range of professional services in placing our clients at the heart of everything we do. We are innovative and decisive in our thinking, delivering sustainable solutions across the full range of property services. Established in London for over 160 years, we aim to continually build on our knowledge and industry experience to deliver better outcomes and service levels.

Our people are central to our success. We foster a culture where individuals are empowered to take ownership, develop lasting client relationships and contribute to the continued growth of the business.

The role

The Head of Residential Management & Advisory will lead the firm’s residential management function and provide senior, commercially focused advice to a longstanding client base. Clients include charities, livery companies and other institutional and not-for-profit property owners, together with private investors and developers. The portfolio comprises principally AST, leasehold residential and mixed-use assets across Central London. The role combines leadership of the management team with senior client responsibility and a broader asset advisory remit, helping clients protect and enhance income, value and long-term performance.

Key responsibilities:

• Client and asset advisory
• Act as senior client lead for key estates and portfolios, building trusted relationships and providing clear, pragmatic advice.
• Apply strong Central London residential market insight, including rental and capital values, occupier demand, investment trends and relevant regulatory developments.
• Advise clients, prospective clients and colleagues on acquisition and disposal strategy, asset positioning and portfolio priorities.
• Develop proposals to reposition, refurbish or otherwise enhance the value and performance of existing residential and mixed-use assets.
• Prepare and present strategic portfolio reviews, budgets, cashflows, business plans and recommendations.
• Work closely with Agency, Capital Markets, Building Consultancy, Planning and Lease Advisory colleagues to provide coordinated advice.
• Property management
• Lead the delivery of AST, leasehold management services, with appropriate oversight of associated mixed-use property matters.
• Maintain a clear view of live issues, risks and opportunities across client portfolios, providing senior input on complex management, leasehold and landlord and tenant matters.
• Ensure robust compliance with health and safety, fire safety, building safety and other statutory and regulatory obligations.
• Oversee service charge budgets and accounts, rent and service charge collection, arrears, Section 20 consultation, insurance, licences and major works programmes.
• Maintain effective systems, procedures and controls, ensuring a responsive and consistently high standard of client service.
• Team leadership
• Lead, support and develop a team comprising Property Managers, a Helpdesk Coordinator and administrative support.
• Set clear standards for client service, technical delivery, commercial awareness and accountability.
• Oversee recruitment, performance management, appraisals and professional development, and provide guidance on complex matters.
• Promote a proactive culture in which the team identifies asset management opportunities as well as resolving day-to-day issues.
• Business development
• Support the growth of the residential management and advisory offering through client retention, referrals, networking and targeted business development.
• Contribute to pitches, fee proposals and the effective onboarding of new instructions.
• Identify opportunities to broaden the firm’s work with existing and prospective clients.
• Monitor departmental income, costs, fee recovery and profitability; contribute to financial targets and keep fee structures under review.

Candidate profile

An experienced residential property professional with substantial AST and leasehold management experience and a strong understanding of Central London residential and mixed-use property. The successful candidate will combine sound technical knowledge with the market insight and commercial judgement to advise on whether assets should be retained, refurbished, repositioned, acquired or sold. They will be a credible senior adviser, an effective and supportive team leader, and a confident communicator who can work collaboratively across disciplines. The candidate will be MRICS qualified, and have demonstrable market knowledge, leadership capability and client advisory experience.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is fair, inclusive and accessible. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and will consider reasonable adjustments throughout the process where needed. If you require any adjustments or support with your application, please let us know. Any personal data shared with us during recruitment will be used only for recruitment and selection purposes, handled in line with applicable data protection legislation and retained only for as long as necessary.