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- Tasks: Lead estate management and oversee acquisitions for a leading sofa retail group.
- Company: DFS is the UK's top sofa retailer, dedicated to making homes comfortable since 1969.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous bonuses, discounts, enhanced leave, and wellness perks.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team, develop your skills, and make a real impact in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership, commercial acumen, and experience in managing high-value projects required.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
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As Group Head of Acquisitions and Estates, youll lead all aspects of estate management across the DFS Group portfolio, which include Sofology, DFS and The sofa Delivery company, reporting on key activity and performance, and ensuring robust governance and delivery. Youll attend and contribute to formal review meetings, engage confidently with third parties, and foster collaborative working across internal and external stakeholders.
Working closely with the Property Director and wider Group Property team, youll prepare and present compelling business case proposals for new store acquisitions, lease regears, and renewals for Board-level approval. Youll also oversee rent reviews and dilapidations negotiations, coordinating professional teams and external agents to ensure commercially sound outcomes and timely execution.
What you\’ll be doing
Acquisitions Supporting the Property Director and Brand leads as required via estate management data and business cases.
Disposals -Work with Brand leads as required to dispose of surplus properties via expiry, sublet, assignment or surrender. Prepare reports for Brand/Board approval and liaise with Group Legal and external advisers
Lease Renewals Monitoring, report and recommend on lease renewals and regears. Receiving and reviewing reports for brand/ Board approval as required. Liaising with Group Legal and external advisers.
Rent Reviews- Instructing rent review surveyors and liaising with to progress and settle where appropriate. Completing a proportion of reviews in house. Receiving and reviewing recommendation reports for brand stakeholder/ Board approval as required leading to completion of rent review memos linking in with Group Legal.
Rating Instructing Rating Surveyors liaising with, receiving and reviewing reports and progressing to settlement. Advising brand Finance teams of revised rates payable and any refunds due. Authorising business rates invoices. Dealing with VOA Enquiries. Instructing empty rates claims as appropriate.
Dilapidations Instructing dilapidation surveys. Liaising with building surveyors and preparing business cases for approval on settling claims or instructing project managers to carry out remedial works. Overall budget coordination across brands
Service Charge Management Checking and authorising service charge invoices and ensuring they are in accordance with the terms of the particular lease where required across the Group. Challenging as appropriate and recover over-payments.
Insurance- Checking and authorising Landlords invoices on insurances where required, challenging as appropriate. Liaising with brokers on Tenants building insurance.
Property Data Base Ensuring through virtual team management, that all Property Data Records (Estates Tenure, Compliance Works, Service Charge, Insurance details, etc) are recorded and up to date.
- Supporting Property Services to liaise with Landlords and their Agents regarding site repairs, queries, complaints, parking, store inspections, etc.
The role is for you if…
You have..
Proven leadership with high personal integrity, resilience, and a strong work ethic
Ability to articulate a clear vision, lead transformation, and inspire a sense of mission
Commercial acumen and sound judgement in complex decision-making
Strong results orientation with a focus on delivery and accountability
Confidence in managing senior stakeholders across multiple brands and functions
Excellent relationship-building skills with a collaborative, team-first mindset
Skilled in handling conflict, influencing outcomes, and navigating complex dynamics
Experience overseeing multiple high-value projects in a fast-paced environment
Ability to simplify complex challenges and drive practical, effective solutions
A people-first approach to leadership, with strengths in coaching, mentoring, and team development
Talent for identifying and growing future leaders and building high-performing teams
About DFS
It takes a whole lot of passion to be at the centre of what makes a house feel like home – and thats just what we do at DFS. Were the leading sofa retail specialist in the UK, helping people find a comfy seat on their great quality sofas since 1969.
We\’re a market leader in the UK because of one thing: our people. Our people made us who we are and will drive us into our ambitious future, together. We offer incredible opportunities to get stuck into fun and meaningful work as well as learn new skills – so you can really find your thing.
Generous annual bonus based on business performance and objectives.
Growth and Training:Learn new skills and develop your career with us.
Leave:Enjoy a great holiday allowance, with the option to buy 5 extra days. Take advantage of our enhanced leave for Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental, and Adoption, plus a paid volunteering day each year.
Discounts:Get 30% off DFS and Sofology products for yourself, plus discounts for friends and family – and savings at big brands like Sainsburys, ASOS, and IKEA.
Wellbeing Perks:Access healthcare services, an Employee Assistance Programme, and discounted gym memberships.
Pension and Savings:Join our Group Pension and Sharesave schemes.
- Life Assurance & Sick Pay: Peace of mind with Life Assurance and Company Sick Pay.
DFS Group is proud to be an equal opportunities employer; celebrating diversity and committed to a culture of inclusion and belonging. We extend a warm welcome to everyone, embracing a variety of voices and perspectives. As we continue to work on building a workplace that is representative of the customers we serve and the communities we live and work in, we strongly encourage applications from members of minority and under-represented groups. Across the Group, we want to create an environment where everyone feels at home.
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Head of Acquisitions and Estates employer: DFS
Contact Detail:
DFS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Acquisitions and Estates
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the DFS Group's portfolio, including Sofology and The Sofa Delivery Company. Understanding their unique selling points and market positioning will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of DFS Group on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Head of Acquisitions and Estates role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your leadership and project management experience. Highlight instances where you've successfully navigated complex negotiations or managed high-value projects, as these skills are crucial for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends related to property management and acquisitions. Being knowledgeable about current market conditions and challenges will demonstrate your commercial acumen and ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Acquisitions and Estates
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in estate management, acquisitions, and stakeholder engagement. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to manage high-value projects.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, articulate your vision for the role and how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Emphasise your commercial acumen and results-oriented approach.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Provide concrete examples of your leadership style and how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight any experience you have in coaching or mentoring others, as this is crucial for the role.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to complex decision-making and stakeholder management. Be ready to discuss how you've navigated challenges in previous roles and the outcomes of your decisions.
How to prepare for a job interview at DFS
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a candidate for the Head of Acquisitions and Estates, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, focusing on your integrity, resilience, and work ethic.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with DFS Group's portfolio and the broader retail landscape. Be ready to discuss how your commercial acumen can contribute to the company's growth and how you would approach complex decision-making in this role.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Given the importance of managing senior stakeholders, practice articulating your vision clearly. Think about how you can inspire collaboration across different brands and functions, and be prepared to discuss strategies for building strong relationships.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
The role requires simplifying complex challenges and driving effective solutions. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've navigated difficult situations, influenced outcomes, and delivered results in a fast-paced environment.
