Stock Rationalisation Analyst/Project Manager

Overview

Our Story

Our small Canadian-born business was founded in 1978 and has become a global organization that now spans 120 locations across 20 countries. Our expansion has been rapid, but what matters most is the common belief that drives all 5,000 of our people to be a different type of real estate organization. We believe that the places in which we live, work and play have the power to make us happier and healthier, and we are united by a shared sense of purpose, to have a positive impact on people’s lives. In short, we are a global commercial real estate advisory firm with a simple aim: for real estate to play a leading role in creating vibrant buildings, cities and places that deliver long-lasting social value and economic impact.

Purpose of the Role

We are seeking an energetic and ambitious Asset Transaction Analyst / Stock Rationalisation Project Manager, to join our Affordable housing team to help deliver our growing pipeline of stock rationalisation projects. The Affordable Housing team provides consultancy, valuation and transactions services to Housing Associations, For Profit Registered Providers, Local Authorities, Developers and Investors active in the sector. This is an opportunity for an ambitious individual to assist with the growth of a new market leading team as a ‘challenger brand’ offering choice and quality to clients in the thriving stock rationalisation market.

The candidate will need demonstrable experience and understanding of social and affordable housing asset management and/or tenanted portfolio transactions. They will be an adept project assistant/manager capable of undertaking detailed and accurate due diligence on stock with minimal support – and in supporting the project management of transactions from inception to completion.

The role entails working with clients to assist in sourcing / reviewing stock condition reports, EPC surveys, building survey information, health and safety and property compliance information. The post requires a sound understanding of Social Housing Regulation, Health and Safety, Building Safety Regulation, Awaab’s Law, sector reporting standards, decent homes standards, and the emerging policy landscape for social landlords operating in the regulated space. An understanding of tenancy, repairs, and planning and title matters is also important. Given the challenges presented by energy efficiency and Net Zero Carbon, a robust experience of energy efficiency measures to meet C by 2030 requirements and Net Zero by 2050 will be essential. You will also have extensive experience in schedule of rates for asset level components to allow for the accurate assessment of investment profiles for our clients.

We are open to finding the right person at either Analyst or Project Manager level. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 2/3 years experience or more – ideally directly in the social and affordable sector, or in a closely aligned transactional market - and will possess a diverse and practical skillset, keen to build their experience of stock sales, acquisitions, swaps and asset consultancy to support the growth of Avison Young’s affordable housing team.

The role will report to Daniel Fairhurst, and provide advice to clients responsible for stock consolidation and rationalisation strategy, sales, acquisition and swaps. They will be capable of building strong, trusted relationships leading to repeat business through delivering excellent customer service. The postholder will possess good verbal and written communication skills and be adept at handling large datasets in excel.

Responsibilities

Main duties, accountability and responsibilities

The post holder will be an integral member of AY UK’s growing Affordable Housing team responsible for helping generate leads, contribute to the submission of bids and pitches, see opportunities to secure new work and contribute to the delivery stock rationalisation projects.

The strategy for Affordable Housing is to build a multi-service team delivering loan security and fund valuation; stock rationalisation transactions; building surveying; and land/development/regeneration and partnerships advice to social housing landlords, developers and investors.

The affordable housing team and service form part of wider Living strategy to deliver consultancy, valuation and transactions services across affordable, student, co-living, BTR (single and multi-family), retirement living sectors and works closely with colleagues in the wider business – primarily, land, planning and development and capital markets.

The team works nationally from multiple regional office locations. The team meets in person as needed to deliver business objectives – key office locations are London, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham. The role has national reach and the post holder should expect travel to undertake stock inspections and meet with clients. As a member of the Affordable Housing team this is a unique opportunity to help grow our reputation and accelerate our rapidly growing book of work, working alongside recognised experts in the affordable housing sector, with significant industry contacts and profile. The aim is to offer greater choice and quality of service to social landlords in a growth market underpinned by a strong policy drivers and regulatory requirements for landlords to understand the investment needs and liabilities within their asset base.

No job description can fully represent every matter which may arise within the post and the post holder is expected to carry out other duties from time to time that are broadly consistent with those in this job description.

Qualifications

Desired skills and experience

• Sector experience: Experience of delivering or client side experience of stock rationalisation transactions and/or asset data management in a social housing environment. Some understanding of the key elements of stock rationalisation including collating information, undertaking due diligence and accuracy checks, review of associated tenancy, planning, legal and development and building surveying, stock condition surveys, energy surveys, planned maintenance works planning and procurement, decarbonisation / energy strategies. The candidate will have a solutions-focused mindset and be enthusiastic, patient, and capable of strategic thinking and client relationship management while maintaining a focus on optimising results for our clients.
• Adaptability: Ability to cater to varying client requirements at different stages of transaction cycle – with guidance and oversight from the line manager - from initial consultancy reports, stock optimisation reviews, growth strategies. This includes undertaking desktop analysis of data on a consultancy basis to diagnose opportunities leading the instructions for portfolio transactions.
• Co-ordination and collaboration: Team player with aptitude for building and maintaining strong relationships both internally and externally, use initiative to problem solve and ensure delivery of projects in line with agreed timescales and objectives.
• Leadership: A team player who contributes to the growth of the affordable/living sector offering within the business and enhances the team's exposure to the affordable housing client base. Ability to seek out and win new business.

Qualification and Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working or supporting tenanted transactions in an affordable housing environment.
• Experience of working with data from affordable housing asset management systems such as Keystone, CX, NEC, MRI, Promaster, PIMSS
• Good understanding of Building Safety, Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) reporting regime, Fire Safety, compliance reporting, damp and mould management strategies, and Regulatory Standards as set out by the Regulator of Social Housing.
• Lateral thinking which identifies opportunities and the ability to contribute to securing profitable work delivered to achieve strong customer satisfaction.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A collaborative team player who quickly establishes trust and credibility.
• Highly motivated, displaying energy, drive, curiosity, and commitment.
• A passion for delivering high standards of work.
• In-depth knowledge of the affordable housing asset management and investment process.
• Strong verbal, numerical, and report writing skills (including proficiency across Microsoft Office suite)
• Strategic problem-solving abilities.
• An entrepreneurial outlook with a focus on enhancing client service.

Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Significant experience of delivering stock rationalisation projects to, or in the Social Housing Sector
• Willing to build profile and embrace business development to develop a strong network of clients.
• Experience of working in a commercial environment
• Strong people and project management abilities, with a track record of working within highly motivated, high performing teams.
• Awareness of current / emerging policy and economic context for affordable housing with an appreciation of residential sector safety legislation.
• Tenacious self starter capable of problem solving and using initiative to overcome challenges to deliver client objectives.
• Excellent presentation skills and inter-personal skills.

Responsibilities:

• Portfolio transactions specialist, playing a key role in contributing to the growth of AY’s affordable housing service
• Contribution to the delivery (with the valuation and surveying teams) of pricing and marketing advice through to data room build, and transaction management to completion
• Client Relationship Management: Acting as a point of contact for key clients, maintaining regular communication, and ensuring client satisfaction.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Liaising with internal departments and external consultant teams to ensure seamless project execution.
• Technical Expertise: Coordinating with other Place, B&PC teams, client and external sub-contractor team professionals to deliver services to clients.
• Business Development: assisting with pitches to win new business and agreeing on the scope of instructions and fees.
• Market Insight: Keeping abreast of industry news and regulatory and policy market developments on both local and international levels.

Equal Opportunities

At Avison Young, we’ve always put people at the heart of what we do.In the last few years, we’ve increased the diversity at our board, leadership and Principal levels. Avison Young stands out for our commitment to empowering women. In addition to increasing the number of women on our board and in our leadership ranks, our internal Women’s Network of more than 500 members come together for networking and learning, and advise the business on strategies for promoting access, opportunity and inclusion in our industry.Our global DEI steering committee shapes our strategy to continue to increase industry access for underrepresented groups and accelerating initiatives led by our employee resource groups, including our Women’s Network, Black Professionals and LGBTQ+ groups. In addition to leading global initiatives, the steering committee’s work examines our policies and practices, creating accountability for results and communicating progress to our executive leadership, our clients and our communities.Our culture is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion, and well-being. We are committed to building an inclusive culture that:

• empowers all our employees to thrive,
• reflects all backgrounds and talents,
• allows individuals to be successful and feel a sense of belonging,
• and foster a workplace that is supported, inclusive and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.

Avison Young is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to treating all its employees and job applicants equitably. This includes implementing deliberate strategies that advance underrepresented communities in commercial real estate careers.As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to removing any obstacles to inclusion. If you need any adjustments to support your application or any part of the recruitment process, such as information in alternative formats or special requirements to access our buildings, or you are eligible under the Disability Confident Scheme please contact us at [email protected] and we will do everything we can to help.

We are committed to inclusion in our hiring processes, and we want to give everyone a chance to show what they can bring to our organisation. If you are not sure that you have all the skills in the person specification, please still apply. We value passion and potential in our employees, so it would be great to hear from you and why you would suit this position.Some of our roles may be remote and some roles may be specific to our offices, but you will need to confirm you have the right to work in the UK.