Head of Business Support - Property Investment & Development

Job Description

Our client is a large real estate investor and developer with a Central London head office. They are seeking a Head of Business Support to work closely with the CEO, CFO, Main Board and senior management team to ensure that the business is run well day today and that the key support functions are integrated into the wider business operation.Main Objectives:

• Executive leadership ensuring the client has the proper operational controls and people in place to effectively manage and deliver on corporate objectives
• Acting as liaison between staff and the Executive.
• To ensure the best standards of corporate governance are applied within the Company.

Key Responsibilities:

• Executive leadership of Business Support, Human Resources and Information Technology functions.
• Participate in the Executive Committee, and play a critical role in developing and implementing strategies, goals, policies, procedures and services to realise organisational objectives.
• Oversight and leadership of the HR strategy, policy, procedure and process.
• Oversight and administration for the operation of the delegated authority matrix granted by asset owning entities.
• Leadership for risk management, corporate business continuity and internal audit programmes.
• Maintaining external accreditations such as cyber essentials
• Arrange and manage corporate Insurances
• Oversight of property insurances.
• High level approval of payments and commitments.
• Drive organisation-wide business improvement projects.
• Partner with key colleagues to ensure strategic priorities are well defined and translated into executable and measurable business and action plans.
• Oversee standard operating policies, procedures, and guidelines that represent and support the organisation’s objectives and culture.
• Develop and foster collaborative relationships between departments and a positive work culture through effective communication and shared understanding of objectives.
• Regularly appraise and evaluate overall operations and report results to the CEO and Executive.
• Lead relationship holder for legal providers.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO.
• Executive Functions
• Participation at Board meetings as required.
• Active engagement with Senior Management Team.
• Chairing and administration of the committees which consider and authorise delegated authority payments submitted by the business.
• Chairing and moderation of regular co-ordination meetings for the heads of each business area.
• Advise the Board on corporate and legislative requirements as required.
• Undertake Company Secretarial duties where the client is contracted to provide administrative, secretarial services and minute taking.
• Undertake the role of “Data Controller” as required by General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”).

Knowledge, Experience and Skills Required:Knowledge:

• Educated to degree standard in a relevant discipline.
• Appropriate postgraduate and/or professional qualifications in a relevant discipline and/or an MBA.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in managing corporate operations including business support, administration, human resources and information technology.
• Knowledge and understanding of key legislation.

Experience:

• Seasoned executive with demonstratable leadership and multifaceted organisational management skills within a commercial environment;
• Demonstrable expertise in all aspects of the key responsibilities listed above;
• Proven capability to operate in a pressurised environment;
• Proven Board level engagement and management;
• Exposure to working with key stakeholders who are foreign nationals based overseas;
• Exposure to matrix management environment;
• Experienced contract negotiator with corporate service providers and vendors;
• Experience of leadership of HR;
• Experience with ISO requirements, certification and implementation (desirable);
• Knowledge of real estate (desirable).

Skills:

• Team player adept at coordinating, monitoring and inspiring others to meet goals
• Pragmatic approach to change management
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical abilities;
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to build good rapport with clients and associates at all levels;
• Sound judgment and ability to effectively make decisions that balance a variety of factors
• Ability to understand and balance the differing objectives and requirements of key stakeholders;
• Results-oriented approach with ability to identify opportunities and implement innovative ideas and solutions;Meticulous personal presentation and organisational skills;
• Excellent numeracy and IT literacy skills;
• An attention to detail.

Person Specification:

• A dynamic, collaborative, credible inspirational leader. Proactive self-starter, able to work with minimal supervision.
• Persuasive influencer, able to win the co-operation of others with minimum noise.
• Well-articulated framework of values and behaviours.
• Intelligent, articulate, with a positive, engaging outlook.
• Commitment to the continuous professional development of self and others;

Key Relationships/Stakeholders:

• CEO and Senior Management team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a high calibre Head of Business Services to take responsibility for the engine room of an extremely well established and well respected property developer and investor.