Senior Property & Lettings Professional - Fixed Term Cover

We are looking for an experienced Senior Property & Lettings Professional to provide maternity cover for the Estate’s current Property Lettings Manager. This is a varied and responsible role involving the day-to-day management of a substantial residential property portfolio, alongside a smaller number of other property interests including grazing land, sheds and storage, garden land/licences and some commercial property.

We are looking for a genuine property and lettings all-rounder with strong, hands-on experience in residential lettings and property management. The successful candidate will need to be confident taking responsibility for their own workload, dealing with matters independently and applying a strong working knowledge of lettings legislation, tenancy management and property compliance, while working within the Estate’s established reporting and approval protocols, referring matters requiring senior approval or guidance where appropriate. This is not primarily a lettings administration or negotiator role.

The position requires someone who understands the wider responsibilities involved in managing occupied property, including legal obligations, inspections, compliance, deposits, repairs and maintenance, tenancy issues and, where necessary, possession proceedings. A comprehensive handover will be provided by the Property Manager before the maternity leave period begins, with established systems and processes already in place. Guidance will remain available where appropriate, alongside support from the wider Estate management team.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Day-to-day management of a substantial and diverse property portfolio
• Ensuring properties and tenancies remain compliant with current legislation and statutory requirements
• Monitoring and arranging electrical and other property safety inspections and certification
• Maintaining accurate compliance records and proactively managing upcoming deadlines
• Carrying out regular property inspections, identifying issues and ensuring appropriate follow-up action is taken
• Managing repairs and maintenance from initial report through to completion
• Instructing and liaising with contractors and monitoring outstanding works
• Managing tenancy, lease and licence renewals, rent reviews, check-ins, check-outs and tenancy changes
• Ensuring tenancy deposits are correctly registered, prescribed information is dealt with appropriately and deposit matters are managed at the end of tenancies
• Dealing confidently with tenancy breaches, arrears and other tenancy-management issues
• Understanding and assisting with the legal requirements surrounding notices and possession proceedings
• Managing vacant properties and supporting the letting process where required
• Liaising confidently and professionally with tenants, applicants, contractors and other stakeholders
• Maintaining accurate property and tenancy records within the property management system
• Managing a smaller number of grazing, shed/storage and garden land licences and agreements
• Assisting with the management and administration of a small number of commercial properties
• Preparing information, updates and reports for senior Estate management as required
• Referring matters requiring strategic, financial or other senior approval through the appropriate Estate management structure

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Has strong practical experience within residential lettings and property management
• Has a good working knowledge of current residential lettings legislation and compliance obligations
• Understands the requirements surrounding tenancy deposits, prescribed information, notices and possession
• Is experienced and confident in carrying out property inspections and identifying necessary action
• Has experience managing repairs, maintenance and contractors
• Is confident managing tenancy issues and having difficult conversations where required
• Is able to take ownership of their workload and make sensible day-to-day decisions
• Has the judgement to recognise when a matter requires escalation or senior management input
• Is highly organised and able to manage competing priorities, statutory deadlines and follow-up actions
• Has excellent attention to detail, particularly in relation to legal and compliance requirements
• Has strong written and verbal communication skills
• Is confident using property management systems (ideally with Arthur experience)
• Ideally holds a relevant Propertymark/ARLA qualification, or is currently working towards one (desirable)
• Holds a full UK driving licence and can travel between properties as required

The position would particularly suit an experienced Lettings Officer, Senior Lettings Coordinator, Senior Lettings Negotiator or similar property professional who has developed strong experience beyond front-end lettings administration and can manage greater responsibility across the full property and tenancy management cycle. Experience of rural estate property, licences or commercial property would be advantageous but is not essential; strong residential lettings, compliance and property-management experience is the priority.

The role offers the opportunity to work within a beautiful Suffolk Estate, as part of a friendly, close-knit and supportive wider Estate team. The Estate also has an active social side, with occasional staff events and opportunities to get involved in the wider Estate community.

Hours: 25-32 hours per week (flexible)

Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover (13 months)