Asset Manager

Asset Manager – Student Accommodation Portfolio
Full Time | London, England | Hybrid Working
Employed by Homes for Students, Seconded to M&G Real Estate

This is a rare opportunity to combine the stability of working for Homes for Students (HfS) with the career-defining experience of a secondment to M&G Real Estate - one of the world’s leading real estate investors.

In this high-profile role, you will be at the forefront of managing and enhancing a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) portfolio, primarily responsible for asset performance, development management oversight and transactional activities. The role will also include exposure to the wider residential portfolio spanning build-to-rent, single-family housing, senior living and affordable housing.

About M&G Real Estate

Part of M&G plc, M&G Real Estate manages £38bn of assets globally, including £6.5bn across the living sector and over £900m in purpose-built student accommodation. In the UK alone, the portfolio includes a diverse mix of residential investments, offering you exposure to a variety of asset types, stakeholders, and strategies.

About the Role

We are looking for a highly personable, strategic and motivated individual to join a dynamic, well-respected and expanding team as an asset manager in the residential team with a focus on the PBSA sector.

You will bridge fund strategy and on-the-ground performance, ensuring each asset achieves its full operational and financial potential. You’ll collaborate with fund management, investment teams, property operators, and external partners to deliver against ambitious growth, ESG, and operational goals.

This role offers a unique blend of strategic planning, financial performance management, and hands-on operational oversight, with the chance to shape the performance of a high-value portfolio that makes a tangible difference to residents and communities.

Key Responsibilities

Asset Management

• Establish and deliver the annual business plan for each asset in your allocated portfolio including but not limited to: hold/sell recommendation, historic and prospective returns analysis, key initiatives, budget analysis and forecasting, NOI growth, operator performance, H&S review including fire safety and ESG strategy.
• Ensure the property is performing to its full potential through maximising revenue, expenditure optimisation, assessing future capital expenditure requirements, assessing ancillary income opportunities, monitoring and reporting compliance and minimising arrears.
• Act as the primary point of contact with property managers (“PM”) ensuring their KPIs are met and delivering their objectives in line with the property management agreement (PMA), overarching Fund Strategy and smooth operational performance. Engage with PMs through regular reporting, also cascading information to the wider M&G stakeholders as required.
• Formulate, assess and approve (subject to authority limits) and request approval for initiatives and expenditure requests.
• Act as the lead to maximise occupancy, through weekly leasing and sales analysis, competitor analysis and renewals strategies alongside the PM.
• Working in conjunction with PMs, developer partners and consultants to develop and execute mobilisation of new buildings.
• Working in conjunction with development specialists, develop the specification of new buildings and monitor the progress of ongoing as well as any recently completed projects.
• Working in conjunction with PMs to develop and subsequently ensure the customer service engagement strategy is executed. 
• Strong market knowledge required of the UK student market including UK wide and city level dynamics (supply and demand/pipeline/ HEI critical analysis etc). 
• Regular inspections of the assets in your portfolio (each asset at least once every six months).
• Assist the supplier relationship team in the oversight of existing property management agreements and the tender of new agreements as required.
• Instruct, negotiate and conclude the necessary legal documentation to deliver asset management initiatives as well as development management.

Investment Management

• Take on the ‘deal owner’ accountabilities for purchases and sales working with internal and external stakeholders and advisors to complete due diligence required to undertake the transactions.
• Regular review of market opportunities to maintain sector pricing knowledge, developer relationships and to confirm which opportunities would suit live fund requirements.
• Prepare the papers and present investment opportunities to the Investment Committee (working with the transaction team and Fund Manager).
• Provide assistance to fund management colleagues with financial and reporting requirements as well as providing input and ideas into fund strategy.
• Liaise with the Fund valuers on a quarterly and ad hoc basis as required, including the preparation of all required data and documentation each quarter.
• Good understanding of the development and construction aspects of real estate with the ability to, working in conjunction with internal building surveyor colleagues and external consultants, provide ongoing support during construction.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders in an oversight capacity to ensure the successful delivery of ongoing developments, with a particular focus on the financial and legal aspects of the development activities.
• Appraising, evaluating and approving the proposals for enhancing asset performance whether through the Asset Plan or individual Asset Initiatives.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong financial acumen, including forecasting, return analysis, and performance tracking.
• A deep understanding of the PBSA market and up to date knowledge on supply and demand fundamentals.
• Proven experience in the PBSA or residential sector (or similar property investment environments).
• Demonstrated success in revenue growth, expenditure optimisation, and arrears reduction.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across diverse teams.
• Knowledge of UK property regulations, including HMO licensing, health and safety, and ESG compliance.
• A proactive, collaborative approach and the ability to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Why This Role?

• Unique secondment – Employed by Homes for Students, seconded to M&G Real Estate, giving you exposure to both a major property operator and a global real estate investment leader.
• Impact and visibility – Your work will directly influence the value, sustainability, and success of multi-million-pound assets.
• Professional growth – Gain hands-on experience across multiple residential sectors while building your network with senior industry professionals.

If you’re ready to bring strategic vision, commercial expertise, and operational excellence to a diverse portfolio, and want to do it in a role that blends the best of asset operations and institutional investment, we’d love to hear from you.