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- Tasks: Lead and develop a team managing a diverse retail estate across the UK.
- Company: Well-established multi-brand UK retailer with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work options, and significant influence in a strategic role.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a major retail portfolio and drive impactful change.
- Qualifications: Proven senior estates management experience and strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for genuine influence and visibility within a dynamic environment.
We are acting on behalf of a well-established, multi-brand UK retailer to appoint a Head of Estates into a senior leadership role within its Property function. This is a confidential search for a commercially astute estates professional who will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering an ambitious retail property strategy. With a substantial and growing retail portfolio and clear plans for continued expansion, this appointment is critical.
The successful individual will be a key stakeholder at senior level, influencing long-term business performance through proactive estate management, cost control and value creation.
The Opportunity
Reporting into the senior leadership team, the Head of Estates will lead a team responsible for the day-to-day management of a large, geographically diverse UK retail estate (700+ stores) across multiple well-known high street brands. This is a hands-on leadership role suited to someone comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels, able to set direction, influence at Board level, and step in to resolve complex retail property issues when required.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor and develop a team of Estates Managers responsible for the retail portfolio
- Take ownership of all key retail lease events, ensuring they are proactively identified, allocated and managed
- Personally oversee and conclude rent reviews, lease renewals and re-gears from inception to completion
- Prepare and present Board-level papers with clear commercial recommendations
- Manage and resolve landlord and tenant disputes efficiently, minimising cost and disruption to trading stores
- Ensure retail property operational issues are resolved quickly to protect sales and brand performance
- Balance commercial risk and reward, making sound decisions aligned to long-term financial objectives
- Ensure property costs remain aligned with lease liabilities and broader business strategy
- Maintain full accountability for the integrity and effectiveness of the property database
- Manage external advisers and professional teams effectively
Candidate Profile
- Proven experience in a senior estates management role within retail
- Strong background managing large, multi-site retail portfolios
- Exceptional negotiation capability with a clear track record of delivering commercial value
- Experience of retail acquisitions and disposals highly desirable
- Confident managing complex landlord, tenant and third-party professional relationships
- Comfortable operating at Board and senior stakeholder level
Key Skills & Attributes
- Highly commercial, results-driven mindset
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire and drive performance
- Pragmatic, decisive and comfortable managing ambiguity
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Highly organised with the ability to prioritise competing deadlines
- Change-oriented, with the resilience to push through transformation
- Strong IT and data literacy
- Professionally qualified (MRICS or equivalent preferred)
Why This Role?
This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a major UK retail estate within a business that values its property function as a strategic lever for growth and profitability. The role offers genuine influence, visibility and the chance to shape the future of a significant retail portfolio. Remote working/work at home options are available for this role.
Head of Estates - Client Side in Bristol employer: Joshua Robert Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Joshua Robert Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates - Client Side in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail property sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Head of Estates role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company’s retail strategy and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to showcase your commercial acumen and leadership skills, so practice articulating your past successes.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your professionalism.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to submit your application. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and helps us keep track of your application more efficiently.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estates - Client Side in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your CV Spot On: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Estates role. Highlight your experience in managing large retail portfolios and any relevant achievements that showcase your negotiation skills and strategic mindset.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share your vision for the role and how your leadership style aligns with our values. Don't forget to mention your experience with complex landlord and tenant relationships!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In both your CV and cover letter, emphasise your ability to lead and mentor teams. We want to see examples of how you've inspired others and driven performance in previous roles, especially in a retail context.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands quickly. Plus, it shows us you're keen and ready to take the next step in your career!
How to prepare for a job interview at Joshua Robert Recruitment
✨Know Your Portfolio Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the retail portfolio you'll be managing. Familiarise yourself with the brands, their market positions, and any recent developments in the retail sector. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to the company's growth.
✨Prepare for Board-Level Discussions
Since this role involves presenting to the senior leadership team, practice articulating your ideas clearly and concisely. Prepare a few key points on how you would approach strategic decisions, such as lease renewals or property acquisitions, and be ready to discuss the commercial implications of your recommendations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your leadership experience and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you've mentored others or resolved conflicts within your team. This will demonstrate your ability to inspire and drive performance in a hands-on leadership role.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Skills
Negotiation is a crucial part of this role, so prepare to share examples of successful negotiations you've led. Highlight your approach to resolving landlord and tenant disputes, and how you've balanced commercial risks with rewards. This will show that you're not just results-driven but also strategic in your thinking.
