Property Director

Sea Change Sussex is seeking a new commercially focused and dynamic Property Director to join the business.

Sea Change Sussex is a privately owned, “not-for-profit” Economic Development company focused on supporting economic growth across the county of East Sussex, through its property development activity.

East Sussex is an attractive business location offering new opportunities. East Sussex offers low operating costs, high quality premises, vibrant business networks, close academic links and strong workforce skills. We’re working to expand the area’s economy and generate jobs by attracting successful employers and enabling local firms to grow. Our core focus is continued development of a portfolio of prestigious commercial property including offices, business parks and sites for businesses from small firms to big corporations.

Due to retirement, we are seeking a new commercially focused and dynamic Property Director who will be actively involved in the evolving strategic direction of the business in an executive capacity.

The role is based at our head office in St Leonard’s-on-Sea, East Sussex, and hybrid working may apply, subject to the exigencies of the company.

The Role

As Property Director, you will undertake a strategic and proactive role within a commercial property based business – leading on a broad base of activities, working closely with our CEO to ensure key objectives are achieved.

The role will encompass several key areas of responsibility, including –

• Commercial Sales and lettings – managing and overseeing commercial lettings and sales of our business space portfolio and developed land from marketing through to completion. This includes instructing, managing and liaising with property agents and solicitors, ensuring a maximum return is achieved.

• Acquisitions – acquisition of land and property for development of our portfolio and future sales and lettings. This includes instructing, managing and liaising with property agents and solicitors when appropriate whilst ensuring best value is achieved.

• Property Management – management of property service charge, overseeing rental income and working closely with our Facilities Manager and on-site staff in relation to building maintenance, statutory compliance, and day-to-day building issues. Oversight in re-tendering contracts for services such as PPM, cleaning, and security.

• Development – providing support to our Development Director with property development planning issues across a variety of strategic land and development projects.

• Leadership – reporting to our CEO and working closely with the Finance Director and Development Director and contributing to the achievement of key strategies and business objectives. Reporting to our Board of Directors and producing reports for approval, and monitoring of the property portfolio and its financial performance.

What you'll need

• MRICS Qualified, with significant post-qualification experience.
• Experience of managing a commercial property portfolio including Landlord and Tenant issues.
• Strong, proven experience of marketing commercial property for sale or to let, including the instructing and management of external solicitors and external property agents.
• Experience of land and property acquisition including instructing, managing and liaising with property agents and solicitors when appropriate whilst ensuring best value is achieved.
• Sound knowledge of the property development process.
• Preferably have experience of working within a client-side property environment.
• Ability to work at a senior level, providing leadership and executive capacity to the company.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and experience of preparing board reports.
• Strong levels of commercial acumen and strong numeracy and literacy skills.

What you will receive

• £75,000 - £85,000 depending on experience
• 28 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays (rising with service)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Annual RICS professional subscription fees
• Life Assurance
• Hybrid Working (subject to the exigencies of the business)

What you need to do now

Hays Property and Surveying are working with Sea Change Sussex on a retained and exclusive basis.

For more information, please visit our designated recruitment website via the link below –

Sea Change Sussex | Welcome | Hays UK

For initial discussion, please contact our Southampton based Property and Surveying specialist Jamie Poll on 07800755744.

(Please note we aim to appoint earlier than the closing date, should a suitable candidate be found. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.)