Senior Lease Manager
Cushman & Wakefield · Canberra
Job Title
Senior Lease ManagerJob Description Summary
We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Senior Lease Manager to lead the delivery of lease management services across a diverse property portfolio. This role is responsible for ensuring lease administration, financial processes, lease transactions, and contractual obligations are managed accurately, efficiently, and in line with client requirements.As a key leader within the business, you will provide expert advice on lease interpretation, landlord and tenant obligations, risk management, and compliance while leading a team of Lease Managers and Lease Administrators to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients and stakeholders.
This is an excellent opportunity for a property professional who thrives in a complex portfolio environment and enjoys developing high-performing teams while driving operational excellence.
Job Description
Eligibility Requirements
- Australian Citizenship is mandatory.
- Candidates must hold or be willing and eligible to obtain a Security Clearance.
- Applicants must be based in, or willing to work from, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth.
Key Responsibilities
Lease Management & Portfolio Oversight
- Lead the day-to-day delivery of lease management services across a national property portfolio.
- Maintain the integrity of lease data, critical dates, financial obligations, and contractual requirements.
- Review lease abstractions, obligation summaries, rent reviews, CPI increases, and escalation calculations.
- Ensure lease transactions, documentation, notices, renewals, options, surrenders, and handbacks are managed accurately and efficiently.
- Coordinate with Transaction Management, Facilities Management, Finance, and other service teams to ensure seamless portfolio management.
- Monitor landlord and tenant compliance with lease obligations and resolve issues proactively.
- Provide practical guidance on lease interpretation, rights, responsibilities, maintenance obligations, and cost recoveries.
Financial Management & Governance
- Oversee rent rolls, payment approvals, funding requests, and lease-related financial transactions.
- Review expenditure and revenue reporting, tenant recharges, arrears management, and debtor reports.
- Manage outgoings reconciliations, year-end adjustments, and lease payment exceptions.
- Ensure all lease-related financial activities align with contractual obligations and governance requirements.
- Identify operational, commercial, and compliance risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Stakeholder & Client Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, landlords, agents, legal representatives, and internal stakeholders.
- Act as the primary escalation point for complex lease, financial, and contractual matters.
- Support negotiations and facilitate outcomes that align with client expectations and commercial objectives.
- Liaise with external legal advisors on documentation, lease reviews, and dispute resolution matters.
- Deliver high-quality reporting, portfolio insights, and recommendations to clients and leadership teams.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of three Lease Managers and two Lease Administrators.
- Allocate workloads and manage team priorities to ensure service delivery standards are consistently achieved.
- Drive accountability, performance, and continuous improvement across the team.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, succession planning, and capability development initiatives.
- Foster a collaborative, client-focused, and high-performing team culture.
About You
You are an experienced lease management professional with a strong understanding of commercial property, lease administration, financial management, and stakeholder engagement.
You'll bring:
- Minimum 5+ years' experience in Lease Management, Property Management, Corporate Real Estate, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience managing lease databases, reporting systems, and property portfolios.
- Strong knowledge of commercial lease administration, lease transactions, and lease compliance.
- Proven experience interpreting lease documentation and managing complex landlord and tenant matters.
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, reconciliations, rent reviews, and payment management.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to influence outcomes and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience leading teams and developing high-performing people.
Qualifications & Technical Skills
Essential:
- Tertiary qualification in Real Estate, Property, Business, Finance, or a related discipline.
Highly Regarded:
- Estate Agent's Licence or Agent's Representative qualification.
- Experience within a corporate real estate, outsourced property services, or government environment.
Core Capabilities:
- Lease Management & Compliance
- Financial Acumen
- Risk & Governance Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Leadership & Team Development
- Systems & Data Management
- Planning & Organisation
- Business Writing & Communication
- Attention to Detail
Why Join Us?
- Lead a nationally significant property portfolio.
- Opportunity to influence strategy and service delivery.
- Manage and develop a high-performing lease management team.
- Work with a collaborative and supportive leadership group.
- Competitive remuneration and career progression opportunities.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
If you're an experienced lease management professional looking to take the next step into a leadership role with national impact, we'd love to hear from you.
As an equal opportunity employer, Cushman & Wakefield encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and female candidates to apply. Cushman & Wakefield promotes safety at all times.INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”