Acquisition and Estates Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for an Acquisitions and Estates Manager-Europe within our Property Department. Reporting to the Head of Properties, this could be a full-time role or a fixed-term contract which will be field-based. This role covers mainland Europe, so you can be located anywhere in the EU but must be prepared to travel and have overnight stays when needed.

What You’ll Be Doing

The purpose of this role is to help deliver further growth by acquiring new retail locations both full price and outlet and managing any existing lease activity/negotiations within the region. The portfolio consists today of a mix of locations types including High Streets and Outlet Centres but could include Shopping Centres and retail parks in the future.

In this role, you have to be strategic to maximise returns and deliver the most cost-effective way to manage the portfolio of properties in line with the company direction. You’ll collect all the relevant key information to make informed decisions, negotiate the commercial terms and occupancy costs, plus ensure that each individual matter acquired is financially viable before sending for presentation to the Board for approval.

What You’ll Bring

You are either a chartered surveyor (member of the RICS) or have similar property/real estate qualifications. You also have a minimum of 5 years post qualification experience in multi-country acquisitions and management of multi-site retail properties with experience in both full-price and outlet sectors. You will have a full working knowledge of property law including legal frameworks for key European markets and be well connected with agents and other retailers. Not only are you commercially astute, a quick learner and have strong negotiating skills, you are also able to develop strong relationships with internal stakeholders across key departments. With your exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, you are very comfortable presenting up to the Board level stakeholders as required. You will be able to operate in a fast-moving, agile, collaborative and customer-focused environment.

Responsibilities:

• Acquire new properties across multiple countries - primary focus Spain Portugal Italy France Netherlands Belgium and Germany but will expand across other smaller markets as well.
• Negotiate lease renewals in EU in accordance with current Group strategy
• Authorize and negotiate rent and service charge payments to minimise outgoings.
• Secure landlord’s consent and other permits where required e.g. shopfitting, store opening, refits etc.
• Negotiate repairing liabilities and dilapidations claims to limit liabilities.
• Annual analysis and preparation of budget rents
• Key Outputs:
• Deliver acquisitions, disposals, lease renewals, regears and portfolio management in line with annually agreed KPI’s and annual budgets.
• Delivering agreed property strategy and identifying/pursuing additional opportunities to enhance property portfolio.
• Communicating with key personnel to ensure a cohesive delivery of strategy objectives.
• Maintain a highly professional reputation for the department within the external market.
• Instructing and managing a high-quality network of external consultants and solicitors.
• Review and influence strategy by country.
• Key Relationships:
• Head of Properties
• Acquisitions and Estates Manager UK/ROI
• Construction/PM
• Retail FM and Maintenance manager
• Other property team members
• Head of Retail and Outlet Regional Manager
• Finance team
• External consultants & solicitors
• Landlords, other retailer property teams, tenants and developers/investors

Qualifications:

Essential Knowledge:

• Chartered Surveyor (member of RICS) or similar qualifications with a minimum of 5 years post qualification experience
• Degree or similar level
• Retail Property Market in full price High Street and Factory Outlet environments

Basic Skills:

• Full working knowledge of property law including legal frameworks for key European markets
• Strong negotiating skills and proven record of successful property transactions.
• Languages - Needs to be able to communicate effectively in English but ideally fluent/native in 1/2 other key European languages (i.e. Spanish, French, Italian)
• Computer skills – Proficient Excel/Word/Outlook/PowerPoint user

Successful Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years post qualification retail property experience.
• Management of multi-site retail property portfolio.
• Acquisition, lease renewal and property management experience.

Competencies:

• Create successful working relationships with people at all business levels
• Ability to prioritize
• Ability to operate in a pressured, time critical environment
• Influencing
• Collaboration
• Organization and planning
• Team player
• Initiator

This document describes the general nature and level of work only. It is not designed to cover an exhaustive list of all skills, activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Other activities, duties, and responsibilities may be added at any time. This description may be changed at the company’s discretion at any time, with or without notice.