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- Tasks: Lead and deliver Heathrow's commercial property strategy across airside and landside environments.
- Company: Heathrow, the world's most iconic airport, offering unique career opportunities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonuses, generous leave, and private health insurance.
- Why this job: Shape the future of aviation while working on large-scale, impactful projects.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in commercial property development and strong financial acumen required.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
Join to apply for the Head of Commercial Property Development role at Heathrow.
The Head of Commercial Property Development is responsible for shaping, leading, and delivering the airport’s commercial property strategy across airside and landside environments. This senior role drives the development and optimisation of the airport estate—maximising long‑term commercial returns, supporting aviation growth, and ensuring all developments align with regulatory, operational, and sustainability requirements. This role is pivotal in supporting Heathrow being an Airport Fit For The Future. The position oversees a portfolio covering logistics, cargo, industrial property, office space and wider non‑aeronautical commercial development. The role requires close collaboration and complex stakeholder management with planning, operations, finance and external partners to deliver high‑quality, commercially sound developments within a live, safety‑critical environment.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Member of the Property Leadership Team with direct line management responsibility for a growing team of development and property specialists. Develop and implement the airport’s commercial property strategy to grow non‑aeronautical revenue and support wider business goals through development of new and renewed assets.
- Property Development & Project Delivery: Create a sustainable pipeline of development opportunities utilising the airport’s vast estate and asset base. Oversee end‑to‑end delivery of large‑scale commercial property projects including concept design, planning, financial modelling, procurement, construction and handover.
- Commercial & Financial Management: Build business cases and financial models for commercial property investments, ensuring strong ROI and alignment with commercial strategy. Oversee capital governance and regulatory requirements to unlock funding, and oversee lease structuring, negotiations and asset optimisation to maximise revenue across the property portfolio.
- Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement: Lead and develop a multidisciplinary property development team that is primed to respond to increased commercial development opportunities that arise from Heathrow’s Long Term Growth Strategies (Expansion). Work collaboratively with operations, engineering, security, planning, legal and finance teams to ensure effective and timely delivery.
Essential Skills & Qualifications
- Significant experience in commercial property development, ideally in complex or regulated environments (airport, rail, logistics, mixed‑use or large infrastructure estates).
- Strong knowledge of UK planning processes, property law and commercial leasing structures.
- Proven track record delivering large‑scale commercial or infrastructure developments in dense urban environments.
- Financial and commercial acumen, with experience building business cases and managing hundred‑million‑pound budgets.
- Ability to lead multi‑disciplinary teams and manage senior stakeholders.
- Excellent negotiation, communication and contract management skills.
- Experience delivering projects within operational, safety‑critical environments.
About Us
There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Heathrow provides a backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities. Every day you’ll discover a world of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. It inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans and welcomes millions of passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.
Benefits
Competitive salaries and excellent benefits that support you now and in the future. Annual bonuses, share‑in‑success schemes, generous annual leave, market‑leading pensions, family‑friendly policies, private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools. Learning and development opportunities are also provided.
Working Location & Travel
Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity to work from home for an average of two days a week, with flexibility to work in an agile way while meeting operational needs. Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow. Heathrow’s Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.
Equal Opportunities
As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.
Head of Commercial Property Development employer: Heathrow
Contact Detail:
Heathrow Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Property Development
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand Heathrow's commercial property strategy and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about what you bring to the table and how you can contribute to the team. A confident, well-articulated introduction can make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Heathrow team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial Property Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Commercial Property Development role. Highlight your experience in commercial property development and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our needs at Heathrow!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our commercial property strategy. Be sure to mention your experience with stakeholder management and project delivery.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your financial acumen and ability to deliver large-scale projects. Numbers speak volumes, so include metrics where possible to show your impact!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Good luck!
How to prepare for a job interview at Heathrow
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of commercial property development, especially in regulated environments like airports. Understand the UK planning processes and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role's requirements.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior role, they’ll want to see your leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams and managed complex stakeholder relationships in previous projects.
✨Be Financially Savvy
Get comfortable discussing financial models and business cases. Be prepared to explain how you've maximised ROI in past projects and how you would approach financial governance in this role.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Heathrow is all about being an 'Airport Fit For The Future'. Familiarise yourself with their long-term growth strategies and sustainability goals, and think about how your vision for commercial property development can align with theirs.