Felicia Watson

Experienced operations, property, retail and business administration professional with a strong record across multi-site retail, commercial property, asset and portfolio management, budgeting, leasing, facilities, supplier coordination, financial control and stakeholder service. Progressed from Centre Manager to Portfolio Manager and Asset Manager, and later managed Cardies' national retail property portfolio. Since 2018, has remained professionally active through independent e-commerce and website work.

Since 2024, has also provided project-based buying and import support, maintaining current exposure to retail administration and applying practical knowledge of import duties, taxes and landed-cost considerations. Now ready to return to a structured organisation, bringing mature judgement, strong organisation and the ability to learn current systems quickly.

E-commerce & Web Design Specialist at Self-Employed (2018-09 – Present)

• Established and manages an independent online store, coordinating e-commerce administration, website content, customer enquiries, supplier communication and service delivery.
• Builds and maintains responsive websites and digital content supporting online usability, customer engagement and marketing.
• Manages budgets, cash-flow planning, online advertising, supplier agreements and general business administration while working independently across competing priorities.

Project-Based Experience at Independent Retail Buying & Import Support (2024-01 – Present)

• Provides project-based, behind-the-scenes assistance to an established South African retail buyer, supporting organised buying administration and the follow-through of retail information and priorities.
• Applies working knowledge of import duties, taxes and landed-cost implications when supporting retail buying and commercial considerations.
• Maintains current exposure to the South African retail environment and contributes a dependable, discreet and detail-focused approach to buying support.

Property Manager at SA Greetings / Cardies (2016-06 – 2018-08)

• Managed the operational and financial performance of Cardies' national portfolio of leased retail locations, maintaining close awareness of store performance and commercial viability.
• Negotiated leases, renewals and commercial terms with landlords, shopping centres and asset managers across South Africa.
• Led site audits, space optimisation, retail layouts, store revamps, facilities management and maintenance contracts.
• Controlled CAPEX and monitored rentals, utilities, recoveries and operating costs while coordinating landlords, service providers and internal stakeholders.

Portfolio Manager at Broll Property Group / Finlay & Associates (2014-01 – 2016-05)

Initially appointed by Finlay & Associates; transitioned to Broll Property Group following the acquisition in June 2015.

• Managed a commercial and retail property portfolio, primarily Investec, supporting capital protection, income performance and consistent operational delivery.
• Developed five-year building strategies, property budgets, rolling forecasts and business plans; prepared income statements, asset-management packs and stakeholder reporting.
• Oversaw tenant-installation and letting-commission amortisation, bad-debt provisions, deposits, guarantees, CAPEX, utilities and recovery accruals.
• Managed leasing, tenants, contractors, maintenance, debtors, credit control, compliance and refurbishment proposals while monitoring turnover rentals and operating performance.

Asset Manager | Portfolio Manager | Centre Manager at Pivotal Asset Management / Abreal Property Investment / Broll Property Management (2010-07 – 2013-02)

Progressed from Centre Manager to Portfolio Manager and then Asset Manager across related property-management organisations.

• Managed shopping-centre operations, budgets, financial controls, tenant service, contractors, centre teams, staff performance, governance, leasing strategy and shareholder reporting.
• Led long-term strategic financial planning and evaluated asset and portfolio performance against profitability, budgets and business plans.
• Prepared and presented business plans, budgets, forecasts and periodic reports to senior management, directors, investors, consultants and partners.
• Coordinated lease-up and rollover assumptions, tenant revenue obligations, third-party contracts, property managers and leasing agents.
• Controlled preventative maintenance and refurbishments, enforced tenant obligations, conducted site visits and identified opportunities to improve efficiency and returns.

Property Manager | Customer Consultant at Marriott Corporate Properties / Old Mutual Property Investment Group (2005-10 – 2010-06)

Promoted from Customer Consultant to Property Manager following the transition from Marriott to Old Mutual Property Investment Group.

• Managed institutional property performance within strategic and financial objectives, including budgets, projections, five-year building strategies and improvement plans.
• Managed rent collection, recoveries, tenant installations, expenses, arrears, vacancies and leasing mandates.
• Built tenant relationships and coordinated major refurbishment and extension projects to recognised property-management benchmarks.

Area Manager | Property Consultant at SA Greetings / Cardies (1997-07 – 2005-09)

Progressed from Property Consultant to Area Manager, gaining extensive hands-on retail, stock and multi-store operations experience.

• Purchased the appropriate type and quantity of stock for stores; received and verified stock quantities, price-marked products, conducted stocktakes and merchandised to Cardies standards.
• Assisted licensees with product mix, stock holding, store layout, housekeeping, merchandising and IT systems to support sales and profitability.
• Managed store openings, re-openings and revamps with store planners and licensees, covering layouts, costs, schedules, stock readiness and operational standards.
• Set budgets and forecasts, trained licensees and staff, completed store visits and resolved performance or operational issues promptly.
• Negotiated national and cross-border leases, sub-leases and renewals; coordinated relocations and supported franchise marketing, sales and exhibitions.

Broker & Office Manager at Coversure CC (1992-01 – 1997-06)

• Managed office operations and staff, client service, insurance administration, underwriting and claims, bookkeeping, salaries, wages, data capture and general building-management duties.

Introduction to Industrial Relations – Old Mutual (2008 – 2008)

Certificate in Shopping Centre Management – University of Pretoria & Shopping Centre Council (2007 – 2007)

Practical Industrial Relations – Owen, Adendorff & Associates (2002 – 2002)

Shopping Centre & Demographics Studies – Urban Studies (2002 – 2002)

Lease Negotiation Skills & Contracts – Courtwell (2002 – 2002)

Certificate in Financial Management – Franchise Directions (2001 – 2001)

Diploma in General Secretary – Damelin (1997 – 1997)

Senior Certificate in Grade 12 – Jan De Klerk High School (1991 – 1991)