Accommodation Manager in Edinburgh

The Accommodation Manager is responsible for the successful operational, commercial, and compliance performance of a portfolio of student and residential accommodation sites. Reporting directly to the Regional Operations Manager, the role plays a critical part in delivering an exceptional resident experience, driving strong occupancy and commercial outcomes, maintaining robust debt management processes, and ensuring full compliance with all regulatory and company standards, including the ANUK/Unipol Code of Standards.

The role has overall accountability for the day-to-day operation of the sites, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and adherence to company policies and procedures at all times. The Accommodation Manager will lead and support on-site teams to deliver safe, well-maintained, and professional environments, ensuring that maintenance, cleaning, and security standards are consistently achieved. Regular site audits and operational reviews will be undertaken to identify risks, opportunities for improvement, and best practice, while accurate operational records and reporting across all sites will be maintained.

A core focus of the role is resident experience. The successful candidate will drive a culture where resident satisfaction is central to all activity, ensuring that teams provide professional, timely, and solution-focused customer service. Resident feedback will be actively monitored, with improvement plans implemented where required, and the role will support the effective management of complaints, disputes, and welfare-related matters. Strong relationships will be maintained with student bodies, universities, and local partners to enhance engagement and reputation.

From a commercial perspective, the Accommodation Manager will be responsible for driving strong occupancy performance through effective marketing, sales, and retention strategies. Working closely with the Head of Operations and central teams, the role will support the implementation of pricing strategies and monitor market trends. Oversight of site events, viewings, and resident engagement activities will be required to support retention, alongside regular monitoring and reporting on occupancy, revenue, and cost performance across all sites.

The role also carries responsibility for debt management and income protection. This includes leading robust rent collection processes, ensuring adherence to company credit control procedures, and managing the timely escalation of arrears. The Accommodation Manager will support teams in handling difficult conversations with professionalism and clarity, while providing accurate reporting on debt performance and driving proactive recovery plans.

Ensuring full compliance is fundamental to the role. The postholder will ensure that all properties comply with health and safety, fire safety, GDPR, and accommodation-related regulations, and that daily operations are fully aligned with the ANUK/Unipol Code of Standards. All documentation, processes, and resident communications must reflect best practice and company expectations, and the role will lead site teams through audits and inspections as required.

Strong people leadership is essential. The Accommodation Manager will provide clear, positive leadership to on-site teams, promoting a culture of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement. Responsibilities include recruitment, onboarding, training, and the ongoing development of staff, alongside regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews, and coaching. The role will model company values and ensure consistently high standards of behaviour, communication, and conduct.

The successful candidate will act as an ambassador for the business, demonstrating integrity, sound judgement, and a calm, solution-focused approach at all times. They will encourage open communication, staff engagement, and a supportive working environment, while showing resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced operational setting. Building and maintaining strong working relationships with colleagues, partners, and residents will be key to success.

Applicants will bring significant experience within accommodation, property, hospitality, or operational management, with experience of managing large or multiple sites preferred. A strong understanding of compliance requirements and operational best practice is essential, alongside proven experience in debt management, credit control, and income recovery. The role requires excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, strong commercial acumen with the ability to drive occupancy and revenue performance, and confidence using Microsoft Office and property management systems. Flexibility is required, including the ability to travel between sites where necessary.