Property & Operations Manager

About the job

We are looking for a hands-on Property & Operations Manager to help us build a brand new equestrian media and tourism business. You will report directly to the business owners and be trusted to take full ownership of your responsibilities. 

This is a hybrid role - attending the property (near Lucena - around 1 hour from Cordoba and Malaga) will be required regularly but much of the role can be carried out remotely. The property itself is a beautiful old cortijo, complete with an old olive press, set in the depths of Andalusia’s olive groves.

While the business owners will be responsible for setting overall goals, you will be encouraged to make full use of your creativity and autonomy. For the right candidate this will be a highly engaged and rewarding position, building something beautiful in a friendly and positive environment.

Responsibilities

Property management

• Plan, coordinate, monitor and review alterations and renovations to the property

• Work with architects, surveyors etc to identify any permissions or approvals needed and obtain them as required from the relevant authorities

Compliance and licensing

• Research, plan for and obtain any relevant licenses that are required for the day to day operations of the business

• In particular, work with relevant professionals (vets, etc) to establish and maintain the necessary licenses and facilities to keep horses on the property

Human resources & daily operations

• In coordination with the business’ accountants, develop and administer all required systems and paperwork for managing staff

• Manage the provision of all operational services through a combination of hiring staff and managing contractors / service providers

  • Cleaning, gardening, caretaking, general maintenance, driving

Animal management

• Support the owners to ensure the provision of a safe, high-welfare environment for all animals on-site

• Assess and review all other aspects of operational and property management with respect to animal wellbeing

  • For example, ensure that only animal-safe cleaning products are used in areas where animals may be present.

About you

This is a unique position that covers a lot of different areas and we are not expecting candidates to have deep experience across the board. Instead, the successful candidate will demonstrate their ability to quickly learn and adapt to the wide variety of challenges and problems that the role will face.

You must have:

• Excellent organisational and project management skills

• Proactive and autonomous with great general problem solving skills

• Confident managing and communicating around complex projects including legal, financial and practical considerations

• Competent IT skills including using spreadsheets to track budgets

• Fluent in Spanish (C2), confident in spoken and written English (B2 or above)

• Full driving license and able to travel locally as required

• Based a reasonable distance from the property (or willing to relocate)

Ideally, you also have:

• Professional experience in property management, particularly relating to renovations, planning permissions etc

• Professional experience working with / overseeing the work of lawyers, accountants, cleaning staff, drivers etc

• A deep love for animals, particularly horses and cats!

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary

• Flexible hours & partially remote. While there will be a requirement to be on site regularly to oversee active projects, check on maintenance etc, the rest of your time can be scheduled in a way that makes sense for you.

• This is an amazing opportunity for someone ambitious to be part of building something spectacular from the beginning alongside experienced and engaged business owners.