The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Internal Promotion (Senior Lease Administrator)
3-5 years as a Senior Lease AdministratorSkills to master
- Leading complex projects, mentoring junior staff, taking ownership of critical compliance areas (e.g., a specific region's ASC 842 reporting), and demonstrating strong problem-solving skills beyond routine tasks.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivers high-quality work on complex lease types without supervision.
- Proactively identifies and resolves significant lease-related issues.
- Has successfully mentored 2+ junior team members to a higher level of autonomy.
- Trusted by management to handle sensitive landlord communications or audit requests.
- 2
External Hire (Lease Portfolio Manager at another firm)
Direct move, assuming 12-16 years total experienceSkills to master
- Demonstrable experience managing a team and a significant lease portfolio, a strong track record of process improvement, and deep expertise in lease accounting standards.
You're ready to move on when
- Can articulate clear examples of leading a team through challenges and achieving measurable results.
- Has experience with multiple lease administration platforms and can discuss their pros and cons.
- Can provide references that speak to their leadership capabilities and technical mastery.
- Understands the full lifecycle of a lease from negotiation to expiry, and how to manage it.
- 3
Transition from Real Estate Accounting/Finance
Roughly 5-8 years in real estate accounting + 5-7 years in a lead lease admin roleSkills to master
- A deep dive into the operational side of lease administration, mastering critical date management, CAM reconciliations, and the practical application of lease clauses beyond the accounting entries. You'll need to learn the 'how' as much as the 'why'.
You're ready to move on when
- Has a strong understanding of ASC 842/IFRS 16 from the accounting side and is eager to apply it operationally.
- Demonstrates a keen interest in the legal and operational aspects of commercial leases.
- Has experience managing accounting processes and can translate that into managing lease admin workflows.
- Shows strong leadership potential and a desire to build and manage a team.