At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the acquisitions strategy for M&S's growth and store rotation programme.
- Company: Join M&S, a dynamic and inclusive retail leader transforming the industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and generous pension schemes.
- Other info: Be part of an ambitious team committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in retail by driving strategic acquisitions and leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in retail property acquisitions and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Description
What You Will Do
- Develop and deliver the acquisitions strategy to support M&S's store rotation programme, growth plans and future estate ambitions.
- Identify, evaluate and prioritise new store opportunities using customer, demographic, competitor and commercial insights.
- Lead negotiations with landlords, developers, agents and partners to secure optimal commercial outcomes and minimise risk.
- Own the end-to-end acquisitions process, from opportunity identification through to approvals and handover into delivery.
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing acquisitions team, ensuring a disciplined and commercially focused approach to pipeline management.
- Who You Will Be
- An experienced retail property professional with a strong track record in acquisitions, asset growth and portfolio development.
- A strategic thinker who can translate long-term business objectives into a clear and actionable property pipeline.
- A confident negotiator with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders and external partners.
- Commercially astute, with the ability to balance customer, financial and operational considerations when making decisions.
- An inspiring leader who develops talent, drives accountability and creates high-performing teams.
- What You Will Bring
- Significant experience in retail property acquisitions, site appraisal and estate growth strategies.
- Strong financial and analytical capability, including investment appraisal, risk assessment and business case development.
- Excellent negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience leading complex property transactions from origination through to completion.
- Strong knowledge of the UK retail property market and a well-established external network across landlords, developers and agents.
- What’s in it for you
Being a part of M&S is exactly that – playing your part to bring the magic of M&S to our customers every day.
We’re an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and ever‑evolving business built on doing the right thing and bringing exceptional quality, value and service to every customer, whenever, wherever and however they want to shop with us.
Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special…
- 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third‑party brands for you and a member of your household.
- Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days.
- Discretionary bonus schemes awarded based on how you achieve your personal objectives and our performance as a business.
- A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
- A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop your skills.
- Amazing perks and discounts via our M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
- Industry‑leading parental, adoption and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family.
- Access to a fantastic range of wellbeing support for all colleagues, including our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist for you and your family.
- A charity volunteer day to support a cause you're passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.
- Everyone’s welcome
We are ambitious about the future of retail.
We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era.
We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet.
Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers.
Join us and make change happen.
We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best.
We support each other and work together to win together.
If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application.
This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
Head of Acquisitions - North employer: Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer that prioritises inclusivity and employee growth, making it a fantastic place for those looking to thrive in the retail sector. With flexible working hours and a commitment to personal development, employees are encouraged to take ownership of their roles while contributing to a dynamic and supportive work culture. Join us in shaping a greener, more inspiring future in retail, where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Acquisitions - North
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like Marks & Spencer.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Marks & Spencer? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit Marks & Spencer's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Acquisitions - North
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Head of Acquisitions - North role at Marks & Spencer, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where Marks & Spencer operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Marks & Spencer. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Marks & Spencer.
