Block Manager in Reading
Deverell Smith Ltd Reading About the role
Working Hours: Monday-Friday 09:00 -17:30 WFH 1 day a week
Salary: £50-£55K plus Bonus
Location: Reading
Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Block Manager to join a growing residential property business within the Build to Rent (BTR) and Private Rented Sector (PRS). This role is responsible for the day-to-day management of a portfolio of residential apartment buildings, ensuring they are safe, compliant, and maintained to the highest standards. You'll play a key role in overseeing building safety, managing service charge budgets, and working closely with internal teams, contractors, and external stakeholders to deliver an excellent resident experience. Reporting to the Compliance Manager, this position would suit someone with strong block management experience, excellent knowledge of health and safety legislation, and a proactive approach to property management.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the day-to-day operations of a portfolio of residential apartment buildings.
- Ensure all buildings remain compliant with current health and safety legislation, including the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety legislation.
- Carry out regular site inspections, identifying maintenance requirements, compliance issues and potential risks.
- Maintain accurate compliance records, including fire, gas, electrical and statutory certification.
- Manage external contractors, ensuring works are completed safely, on time, within budget and to the required standard.
- Prepare and manage annual service charge budgets.
- Monitor expenditure against budgets and identify opportunities for cost efficiencies.
- Assist with the preparation and reconciliation of service charge accounts.
- Build strong working relationships with internal departments, residents, contractors and external stakeholders.
- Continuously review and improve operational processes and compliance procedures.
- Line manage a Block Compliance Administrator, providing support and oversight of workload.
- Participate in an out-of-hours emergency on-call rota.
- Produce regular compliance and performance reports for senior management.
- Support with additional operational and compliance projects as required.
About You
You’ll have previous experience managing residential apartment buildings and be confident overseeing compliance, contractor management and service charge budgets.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Previous experience in residential block or property management.
- Strong understanding of UK health and safety legislation, including the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety regulations.
- Experience managing mid and high-rise residential buildings.
- Knowledge of service charge budgeting and expenditure management.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Strong attention to detail and experience maintaining statutory compliance records.
- Proven contractor management experience.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to identify risks and implement practical solutions.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and property management software.
- Professional, accountable and able to work independently.
Desirable
- IOSH qualification (or equivalent).
- Experience using Health & Safety management platforms.
Personal Attributes
- Proactive and solutions-focused.
- Takes ownership and accountability.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Calm under pressure and able to prioritise effectively.
- Collaborative with excellent relationship-building skills.
- Confident decision-maker with a commercial mindset.
- Passionate about continuous improvement and delivering high standards.
Your tasks
Manage residential apartment buildings, ensuring safety and compliance while delivering excellent resident experiences.
Your profile
Experience in block management and strong knowledge of health and safety legislation.
What's also included
Competitive salary, bonus, and flexible working options.
Tech stack & ways of working
Block Manager in Reading employer: Deverell Smith Ltd
Deverell Smith Ltd is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant Greater London area, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises high-quality maintenance and exceptional service. Employees benefit from ongoing professional development opportunities, a supportive team environment, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on residents' lives through their work. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values collaboration and excellence in facilities management.
View Deverell Smith Ltd profile
Your perspectives
Join a dynamic team and make a real impact on residents' lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like Deverell Smith Ltd.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Deverell Smith Ltd? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit Deverell Smith Ltd's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy
When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements
In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job
Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Block Manager role at Deverell Smith Ltd, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable
While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Deverell Smith Ltd
Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where Deverell Smith Ltd operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Deverell Smith Ltd. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Deverell Smith Ltd.
Locations
- Reading
