Business Rates Manager

The Arch Company | London (Hybrid)

The Arch Company is one of the UK’s largest owners of commercial property, managing a unique portfolio of railway arches and associated properties across the country.

Our properties provide space for thousands of businesses across a diverse range of sectors, from independent retailers and creative businesses to logistics, automotive and industrial occupiers.

We're passionate about creating places where businesses can thrive. Through proactive investment, expert asset management and a long-term approach, we're helping thousands of SMEs grow, invest and succeed in some of the UK's most distinctive commercial spaces.

Final date to receive applications: 1 January 2027

Department: Finance

Location: London

We're looking for an experienced Business Rates Manager to take ownership of business rates across our unique and diverse portfolio.

This is far more than an administrative role. You'll be responsible for overseeing a significant rates liability, identifying opportunities to reduce costs, challenging valuations where appropriate and ensuring our portfolio is managed as efficiently as possible.

Your work will have a direct impact on both The Arch Company and the hundreds of SMEs that operate from our properties. By ensuring liabilities are accurate, reliefs are maximised and costs are managed effectively, you'll help create the right conditions for businesses across our portfolio to succeed.

This is a rare opportunity to become the recognised business rates expert within a large property company and shape how rates are managed across an estate that spans thousands of properties nationwide.

• Take overall responsibility for the management of business rates across the portfolio.
• Manage the relationship with external business rates consultants, valuers and other professional advisors.
• Manage and monitor business rates liabilities, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Review rates assessments, bills and valuations and identify opportunities for savings and mitigation.
• Liaise with local authorities and the VOA on rating matters.
• Review and challenge assessments where appropriate, including appeals and reductions in rateable value.
• Monitor changes to business rates legislation, government policy and valuation methodology and assess their impact on the business.
• Provide expert business rates advice internally.
• Review the business rates implications of vacant properties, occupation changes, refurbishments and redevelopment.
• Maintain accurate business rates records and ensure relevant property and rating data is up to date.
• Monitor expenditure and identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the rates function.
• Prepare regular reports, forecasts and analysis for senior stakeholders.
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting for business rates expenditure.
• Identify risks and opportunities within the portfolio and proactively recommend and deliver solutions.
• Ensure appropriate governance and controls are in place around business rates management.
• Work collaboratively with Finance, Property Management, Asset Management, Leasing and other internal teams.

We're looking for someone with strong technical knowledge of UK business rates and experience managing rates across a commercial property portfolio.

• Significant experience in business rateswithin a commercial property environment.
• Strong understanding of the UK business rates system, including rateable values, multipliers, reliefs, appeals and billing.
• Experience working with the Valuation Office Agency and local authorities.
• Experience managing external consultants and professional advisors.
• Experience managing…