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.
