About the role
Purpose of the Role
The General Property Manager is the senior on-site representative of the Board, the primary point of contact for property owners, and the head of the on-station team. The role carries full accountability for the residential side of the estate, shared amenities, owner relationships, financial oversight, governance, and property presentation, and line-manages the Station Manager, who is responsible for the day-to-day farming operation.
This is a senior management role requiring strong project management discipline, meticulous organisation, and the ability to set clear expectations with owners, contractors, and staff. It requires someone who combines property or estate management capability with genuine interpersonal skill, sound people leadership, and a high attention to detail.
Key Responsibilities
Estate Management & Presentation
Full accountability for maintenance, presentation, and upkeep of all shared amenities and common areas.
Manage a rolling maintenance schedule and capital works programme.
Coordinate and supervise contractors across all estate operations.
Manage shared infrastructure: water system, security, gate access, roads (with the Station Manager), huts, barn, and recreational facilities.
Oversee hut and facility bookings, cleaning, and linen management.
Support ongoing compliance with the Closeburn Station Building Control Committee for new Closeburn Station buildings on both Common Land and Private Lots.
Owner & Stakeholder Relations
Primary relationship manager for all 27 property owners — proactive, responsive, service-oriented.
Ambassador for Closeburn Station in the wider Queenstown community.
Build community among owners through events, communications, and engagement.
Manage the owner coordination services included in levies and provide recommendations and connections for additional services owners may wish to arrange privately.
Maintain excellent relationships with neighbours, DOC, QLDC, and external stakeholders.
Manage public access through the station, protecting owner privacy and amenity.
Financial Oversight & Governance
Own preparation of the annual CSML operating budget, working with CSML's external accountants and with the Station Manager on the farm budget.
Approve expenditure within the delegated authority set by the Board.
Monitor financial performance against budget: expenditure, cash flow, and variances, and bring material issues to the Board early.
Oversee the external accountants acting as their principal point of contact and ensuring they receive accurate and timely information and support in the financial administration
Review the quarterly, and annual reports prepared by the accountants and present them to the Board with commentary.
Organise Board meetings, AGM, Director nominations, and governance processes.
Manage insurance coverage and claims.
Oversee levy invoicing and collection, and manage follow-up with owners regarding overdue amounts.
Project Management & Organisation
Maintain a structured project register for all capital works, maintenance programmes, and improvement initiatives. Track scope, budget, timeline, and status for each project.
Set clear expectations with contractors, tradespeople, and suppliers on scope, deliverables, timelines, and cost — and hold them to account.
Set clear expectations with owners on what is included in levy-funded services, what constitutes an optional extra, and the process for arranging additional services through recommended providers.
Maintain good records: filing systems, correspondence logs, maintenance histories, and a well-organised office that enables continuity and accountability.
Enhance and maintain an annual calendar of recurring tasks, inspections, renewals, and deadlines to ensure nothing is missed.
People Management & Leadership
Manage the Station Manager: work with them on the farm plan and budget
Coordinate with the Station Manager to plan the residential and farming programmes together, ensuring shared matters (roading, fencing, stock movements, weed and pest control, seasonal activities) are coordinated and owners are kept informed.
Recruit, manage, and supervise contractors.
Maintain the Workplace Health & Safety Plan for the station
Produce the quarterly Station newsletter, with farming input from the Station Manager.
Maintain the Closeburn Station owner SharePoint (or equivalent digital platform) as the central hub for owner communications, bookings, and governance documents.
Person Specification
Essential
Demonstrated experience in estate management, property management, body corporate management, or a similar role coordinating services for private property owners.
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills — diplomacy, discretion, and trust-building with a diverse owner group.
Experience managing staff: setting objectives, giving feedback, conducting performance reviews.
Financial oversight capability: budget preparation and management, expenditure approval, cash flow monitoring, board-level reporting.
Strong project management skills: ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams, set expectations, hold contractors to account, and deliver on time and on budget.
Fastidious attention to detail and high personal standards of organisation — someone who maintains systems, follows through, and does not let things slip.
Experience working with a board, committee, or ownership group.
H&S, compliance, and regulatory competence.
Current full NZ driver's licence. Willingness to live on-station.
Desirable
Hospitality, lodge management, or high-net-worth estate management background.
Familiarity with the Queenstown/Wakatipu Basin.
Comfort with rural living on a working station.
Body corporate or community governance experience.
Project management experience in a rural or property setting.
The Right Fit
This is a senior management role, not an administrative position. It suits someone whose career has been in property management, estate management, or a similar coordination-heavy environment—someone who is well organised, maintains high standards, comfortable setting expectations with owners, contractors, and staff, and accountable for outcomes rather than executing a task list.