Paris – Head of Real Estate Asset Management

The company:

The company is a global leading Real Estate Investor and Manager that owns, manages and invests in commercial property.

The company has an active approach to property portfolio and asset management; constantly looking to implement strategic asset management initiatives that create income stability and growth at an asset level. They are specialists at value-add projects and asset transformations.

The firm is seeking a senior leader to join their French team as Head of Asset Management. Reporting directly to the Head of France and indirectly to the Head of Asset Management, Europe, this executive will be responsible for the Asset Management function, including team leadership, execution of business plans and performance management of the assets in France. He/she will also be a crucial member of the French Management Team.

The Head of Asset Management will work together with the other regional Heads of Asset Management across Europe to drive consistent, proactive asset management and ensure resources are allocated optimally across the entire portfolio. He/she will oversee the annual business plan process and administration, working with key internal stakeholders such as the Portfolio Management, Investment Management and Finance teams. The Head of Asset Management will direct and coordinate the Real Estate strategy of the funds with the Fund Management (FM) team, and will be responsible for delivering expertise and making recommendations on asset management initiatives and working closely with the investment management teams in the acquisition process. He/she will also play an active role in coordinating the on-boarding of new assets once acquired, as well as the disposal process.

The Head of Asset Management will, in conjunction with the EU Real Estate Team, set standards and policies for the engagement of property management and brokers, and is expected to foster and maintain key service provider relationships. He/she will oversee operational excellence and sustainability initiatives across the portfolio. In addition, the Head of Asset Management will be representing the company internally and externally to investors and partners, promoting best practices across the platform, and developing real estate operating expertise across the regions.

The Head of Asset Management role is an exciting opportunity to join a strong and stable platform at a transformational inflection point.

• Manage the operational performance (including financial) of the existing and growing real estate portfolio in France;
• Manage all external asset management real estate partners;
• Achieve annual net operating income targets for the assets;
• Oversee and facilitate regular and clear communication and coordination of activity across all asset managers;

• Partner with the Fund Management Team to develop, execute, and review quarterly/monthly performance (forecasting and variance analysis) of annual business plans for each asset, including leasing, revenues, operating expenses and capital expenses;
• Define and execute disposal/exit strategies in conjunction with the FM team, considering the optimum timing to generate superior returns;
• Actively initiate and drive leasing strategies, income growth and value creation initiatives across all properties;
• Represent the funds and owners to important external partners and key tenants;
• Liaise closely with the Finance and FM teams in respect of Fund reporting and controlling matters for the portfolio;
• Support the business on special projects, e.g. new business or fund initiatives;
• Liaise with the Sustainability Manager, Europe and implement the Company Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability policy.

Resource management:

• Coordinate hiring and resource allocation in the Asset Management team;
• Ensure key asset management challenges are addressed proactively, focusing resources as needed;
• Provide recommendations to the Head of France and Head of Asset Management, Europe in respect of staff/resourcing changes and to the Head of Property Management, Europe in respect of the property management strategy going forward.

Best practices, operational excellence, & thought leadership:

• Drive consistent and high-quality operational standards; foster best practices in managing office buildings, retail properties, industrial properties;
• Establish and enforce policies for purchasing and operating expense management, including property maintenance, energy usage, taxes, etc;
• Benchmark operating performance against key market standards and business plans;
• Represent the company with key intermediaries, investors, competitors, and external partners as a thought leader in the industry;
• Ensure the highest ethical standards in all of our dealings;
• Drive sustainable asset management practices;
• Act as a champion for the introduction and roll-out of new initiatives across the EU platform, including technology.

• University degree
• Chartered surveying qualification, e.g. RICS
• Extensive institutional real estate investment experience, including successful track record overseeing asset management of office and industrial.

Personal Competencies:

• Strong team building and organizational skills; established success in leading diverse teams of both direct and indirect reports in a complex, matrixed environment;
• Strategic investment perspective, experience in executing core, core plus, value add, and development strategies, including property repositioning and ground-up development;
• Deep hands-on understanding of commercial properties operations, income, expenses; experience in negotiating leases and service contracts;
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with institutional clients with diverse investment objectives;
• Established network of industry contacts to include equity partners, brokers, technical and legal advisors;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in both French and English;
• Proven financial skills and marketing capabilities;
• Comfortable in a leadership role representing the company in the market place.

Leadership Competencies:

• Thinks Strategically – Sets direction aligned to the company’s strategy, applying external and global perspective to meet local and global needs.
• Motivates People – Gains people commitment to achieve business objectives through clear communication of the company’s vision and flexing leadership styles to inspire high performance.
• Creates Partnerships – Authentically builds trusted relationships and collaborates across global, diverse and multi-functional teams to successfully drive business objectives.
• Seizes Opportunity – Seeks new opportunities and ways to create balanced business growth while improving operational capabilities.
• Grows Talent – Inclusively and pro-actively develops talent, empowers individuals and manages diverse teams to drive engagement and performance.
• Models our Values – Creates a culture that promotes the company’s values and standards through role modeling, accountability and ownership of decisions.
• Focuses on Customers – Promotes customer centricity and ensures focus on creating great customer experiences to achieve competitive advantage.
• Drives Results – Sets aggressive goals and is accountable for continuously driving improved performance, leading change and ensuring high standards.