Commercial property recruitment review 2013By: Simon Waller, Associate Director, Judd Farris

While the economic slowdown continues, there are some flickers of hope within the commercial property market. Organisations still focused on expansion and growth are raising the demand for commercial property professionals and opportunities in this area are increasing.

Judd Farris has seen recruitment demand increase again in the retail and licensed & leisure sectors, owing especially to the strong development of restaurants and new-to-market retailers. Many national surveying firms made cut backs and redundancies in this sector over the past few years and middle-management roles reduced in numbers.

However, while there is still some way to go before we return to the activity of those past years, there is a clear uplift in demand from consultancies recruiting valuation surveyors and several restaurant outlets themselves are seeking acquisition and development surveyors.

Within General Practice there is also demand for property managers and management surveyors as businesses that streamlined their operations now face increased workloads.

A continuing theme within property recruitment is the demand for in-house roles. The lure of higher salaries is an attractive draw for both in-house and consultancy professionals. However, the transition from one to the other remains difficult for many, with client-side businesses often turning to job seekers from other in-house roles at similar sized competitor firms. In general though, whether in-house or consultancy, there is an uplift in recruitment across a number of employers, which opens up opportunities for all professional job seekers.

Permanent positions are still the most favoured options by employers and there is particular demand at the moment across the sector for RICS qualified chartered surveyors with up to two years PQE level experience. With many departments having to streamline over the downturn, this level of experience is increasingly and regularly required to bolster team numbers and ability.

There continues to be demand at a Director level in all disciplines for candidates with portable client followings or proven business development skills. Companies continue to look to develop current revenue streams and to branch out into new revenue streams. A number of Director level candidates have moved with their current instructions to other firms where a higher level of equity, or freedom to expand their business, has been a major driver in their decision. This has been particularly prevalent within the Property Management, Development and Investment sectors.  

In terms of upcoming trends in property recruitment, social media is certainly one to watch for 2013. Several organisations are taking advantage of LinkedIn to increase their profile, joining forums and networks popular within the industry, and this is often a good place for job seekers to start when researching the sector and future job opportunities. At present, however, organisations still opt for traditional recruitment methods and speaking with recruitment consultants specialising in the industry will ensure skills and organisations are matched.

Generally, recruitment within the commercial property sector does seem to be recovering and demand for graduates and junior level roles is increasing. The popularity of social sites will enable job seekers to search through jobs with more ease, resulting in investment from companies into building their profile in these spaces.  And with organisations looking to fill middle management roles lost due to the economic slowdown, a real competition for qualified candidates is inevitable.

About the author

Simon Waller has been with Judd Farris for 8 years and heads up the General Practice Division. His many clients include banks, property companies, consultancies, retailers and private equity houses. He supports Charlton Athletic, is a keen squash player and was a Games Maker at London 2012. 

http://www.juddfarris.co.uk