In this second edition of the Hipoges Corporate Newsletter, we are pleased to share an interview with Susana Santos, Office Management Manager at the Oporto office, Portugal. In each issue, we dedicate a space to get to know one of our team members better, giving an insight into their role and experiences in the company. In addition, each publication offers a rich selection of content, including news from the real estate and NPL sector, initiatives in which we have participated, relevant data from our areas of activity and news from the different companies in the group.
We invite you to discover the full interview with Susana Santos and explore her perspective and contribution to Hipoges’ success.
Interview with Susana Santos in the Hipoges Newsletter Q2 2025
1. Who is Susana Santos? Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
I’m 51 years old and have been living in Oporto since 2019. I would say that moving to Oporto to open the office was the best decision I’ve made, both personally and professionally.
The flexibility that Hipoges offers, allowing us to make such location changes, is a real breath of fresh air, as it gives us the chance to meet new people, experience different cultures and, above all, challenges us to grow and step outside our comfort zones.
I’ve been working at Hipoges for 9 and a half years, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to witness, first-hand, how we started and how far we’ve come. It’s been a challenging and intense journey, but I feel truly proud of this company and its growth.
Professionally, I’ve always been linked to the area of procedural management and judicial agents. However, this path at Hipoges has undoubtedly been the longest and the one in which I feel most fulfilled and happy.
I enjoy travelling, meeting new people, but above all, I love spending time with my family and supporting my children in all their sporting activities. I’m a huge fan of volleyball and football.
2. What are your daily responsibilities?
My main responsibilities currently include: providing support to the OM, Reception and Travel teams; managing the purchasing budget in Portugal; overseeing office maintenance to ensure that all facilities operate correctly, without incidents, and present a professional image; liaising with suppliers; and, most importantly, working alongside highly focused multidisciplinary teams, both in Portugal and Spain, to always find the best way to make it happen — whatever needs to be done — for the benefit of the entire organisation.
3. What are the challenges of a position like yours?
For me, the OM Department’s main responsibility is to serve the organisation quickly and efficiently, being proactive in anticipating problems with the aim of identifying anomalies or issues before they are even reported to us.
I enjoy spotting situations, finding an effective solution, and implementing it immediately — but that’s not always possible when we rely on partners or suppliers. I don’t particularly like depending on others to get things done, which makes it hard for me to delegate and wait for responses. Until something is fully resolved, I keep pushing…
4. What do you enjoy most about this position?
Working with my team and collaborating closely with other departments.
My team is fantastic. I’m truly grateful to them, both for their constant willingness to help everyone and for the care they take in keeping everything properly organised. The way they carry out their tasks ensures that Hipoges’ image, both internally and externally, is never compromised. They even anticipate and prevent issues that could arise in our daily operations. Their dedication and commitment consistently elevate the department.
Working alongside other departments has also been a major advantage. It has allowed me to broaden my understanding of the company’s core business and other different areas, giving me a much more global and complete view of the organisation.
5. In your opinion, what are the key attributes a department director should have?
I would say the key attributes are: effective communication, leadership, strategic vision, empathy, and the ability to make decisions.
6. What are the future prospects for the market where Hipoges operates?
I believe that Hipoges’ top priority in this market, which has reached a level of maturity we weren’t previously accustomed to (fewer available portfolios, a decrease in volume, etc.), has been to reinvent itself and continue to be a reference both nationally and internationally. I have full confidence in the strong and healthy structure we represent, and all departments work hard every day to ensure that we continue to be recognised as a major player in the market.
7. What do you consider to be the most outstanding attribute of your team?
Without a doubt, their availability, commitment, and dedication in everything they do.
8. Finally, what would you say to someone who has just joined Hipoges?
I’d say what I always say when someone new joins:
“Whatever you need, no matter what it is, we’ll always be here to help. And don’t be overwhelmed by the pace of this company, because we’ve all been there. Once you’ve got the hang of things, you’ll make your contribution at the right time. Welcome to the Hipoges family!”
Hipoges is firmly committed to the development and visibility of its team, it is essential to know the people who drive the success of its projects every day. Through these quarterly interviews, we want to offer an authentic and close view of those who are part of our various departments and their perspectives on the sector, in this case the interview was conducted with Susana Santos, Office Management Manager from Oporto office, Portugal.
Keep discovering more Hipoges stories and news in our corporate blog, don’t miss them!