Head of Property

As Head of Property, you will have overall responsibility for IES’s property portfolio, consisting of 46 schools and approximately 300,000 sqm across Sweden. IES is entering a new phase where the focus has shifted from expansion to active portfolio management, increased utilization and development of the existing schools. The role is strategic, commercial and hands-on, with a clear mandate to support IES’s long-term property strategy, optimize lease structures and ensure cost-efficient premises that meet operational, pedagogical and legal requirements.

A central part of the role will be to lead lease negotiations and portfolio decisions in a changing market, including upcoming renegotiations, potential relocations, restructuring of premises and other solutions that improve utilization and cost efficiency. The role requires close collaboration with Principals, internal stakeholders, property owners, municipalities and external advisors. The position is placed within Business Development and reports to the Chief Business Development Officer, with a dotted reporting line to the Deputy CEO for strategic property matters, including major lease agreements, board-related matters and portfolio strategy. The role requires regular presence at the head office and some travel to schools across Sweden.

Responsibilities

Property and lease strategy

• Strategic responsibility for securing premises that support IES’s operational needs.
• Overall responsibility for the company’s property portfolio.
• Drive active portfolio management, including utilization, footprint, lease structure and long-term suitability of the premises.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities for relocation, restructuring, area reductions and alternative use of premises.
• Ensure that the premises meet the needs of the operations from a pedagogical, financial and legal perspective.

Lease agreements and negotiation

• Lead and carry out renegotiations of commercial lease agreements (including rent levels, contract terms, indexation clauses, demarcation lists, access and vacation).
• Lead upcoming lease renegotiations and evaluate commercial options in light of changing demographics and market conditions.
• Ensure correct termination, extension and risk management of agreements.
• Lead the work with lawyers and external advisors when needed.

Finance and follow-up

• Budget, forecast and follow-up responsibility for property-related costs.
• Follow up and analyze utilization, property costs and efficiency across the portfolio.
• Identify cost efficiency and revenue opportunities, including alternative use or subletting of premises where relevant.
• Prepare decision material for management and the Board.

Property management and operations

• Ensure that the properties meet current requirements regarding work environment, safety, accessibility and regulatory requirements for school operations.
• Overall responsibility for operations and maintenance strategy in cooperation with property owners and the Principal at each school.

Projects and development

• Lead, commission and implement refurbishment and extension projects, as well as adaptations of premises.
• Act as contact person towards municipalities, authorities and property owners on premises-related issues.

Leadership and collaboration

• Personnel responsibility for the property department (the team currently consists of two senior property managers).
• Support school leadership and operations in property and premises-related matters.
• Prepare and contribute to reporting and decision material for management and the Board.
• Maintain regular presence at the head office and travel to schools across Sweden when needed.

Profile requirements

Required qualifications

• At least 15 years of relevant experience in property work with a clear focus on commercial lease agreements and lease negotiations.
• Documented experience of negotiating larger property portfolios and of negotiating and renegotiating commercial lease agreements, including reductions of leased area and changes in responsibility for maintenance and investments, with both municipal and private landlords.
• Very good knowledge of tenancy law and contract structures.
• Leadership experience with personnel responsibility, including experience of leading or coordinating a smaller property team, such as property managers, and of working with external consultants such as project managers and technical specialists.
• Experience from working in a complex organization, preferably decentralized with many local units and strong operational stakeholders.
• Technical understanding of buildings and installations, including the ability to assess property conditions on site and guide property managers and consultants in questions such as ventilation, moisture problems and general building status.
• Used to working strategically while also being able to act operationally.
• Strong negotiation skills and business acumen.
• Strong ability to communicate in Swedish and English, both spoken and written.

Desirable experience and qualifications

• Experience from school properties, social infrastructure properties or similar, and from working with municipal or other public stakeholders in politically influenced environments.
• Experience from working in a larger organization or group structure.
• Experience of sustainability and energy issues related to properties.
• Experience of systematic fire protection work.

Personal characteristics

• Strong relationship builder who can create trust-based and service-oriented collaboration with school Principals, treating them as key stakeholders in property decisions.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to manage expectations and interests from owners, board, CEO, CFO, Principals, property managers, security and legal functions.
• Ability to navigate a combination of decentralized operations and a structured head office environment, with respect for formal reporting lines while ensuring timely information flow to the property function.
• Effective in a lean central function, combining strategic portfolio work with hands-on support to operations.
• Pragmatic and hands-on mindset, able to work with buildings that have lower initial standard, handle an existing maintenance backlog and focus on what is possible within given financial frames.
• High integrity and judgement in balancing cost reductions, maintenance needs and the impact of the physical environment on the attractiveness of schools for students and guardians.
• Clear and structured communicator who can adapt tone and style to a culture where written and spoken communication is expected to be professional, polite and considerate.
• Comfortable working in an international and English-speaking environment and in a culture where meetings and central communication take place in English.