Consultant, Real Estate

You will be part of the Acquisitions Team, forming part of the wider Real Estate Department along with Construction and Estates Management. Your role is to lead the acquisition of new restaurants, predominantly drive‑throughs, in the North of the UK.

Responsibilities

• Deliver new restaurant openings and future pipeline sites for the allocated region in a timely manner, on budget and in line with expected sales and ROI with acceptable deal terms and planning permissions/conditions.
• Optimise site development and site selection processes.
• Ensure quality control standards for real‑estate transactions, covering cost, deliverability, time, location, economics, market needs, planning and deal quality.
• Secure the best location and best value for all real‑estate acquisitions.
• Communicate and implement corporate policies and procedures.
• Promote a professional image of the department externally and internally.
• Provide and present reports in line with company procedures for approval of sites at Senior Executive Level.
• Research the local property market, maintain contact with key agents, developers and local authorities to identify all potential opportunities.
• Identify and bring forward appropriate sites, securing operational support, negotiating beneficial acquisition terms, and agreeing sales levels with Operations and Finance based on site criteria, sales assessment models, and benchmarking against existing store performance.
• Liaise with the project manager and architect to ensure optimal design and cost provisions.
• Prepare financial appraisals taking into account trading performance and the impact of the acquisition on the existing estate; develop a full business case for all proposals, including assessment of opportunity quality, town profile, sales assessment, benchmarks, key risks and opportunities.
• Prepare and present acquisition papers, both pre‑read and final approval, in line with agreed standards, to the Senior Executive board.
• Negotiate contracts in line with company best practice, ensuring sites are secured without compromising quality or flexibility on timings.
• Work with the project manager and planning consultants to secure requisite planning consent and any appropriate planning agreements.
• Ensure a timely handover of the site (or completed shell development) to the project manager and lead legal and statutory progress to opening.
• Complete all outstanding planning and contractual matters satisfactorily before handing over to the relevant estate manager.
• Review project performance post‑completion with Head of Acquisitions, VP Development and VP Finance; use findings to improve future scheme implementation.
• Stay aware of direct and indirect competitor activity in the property market, applying learnings to sourcing sites.
• Build confidence and credibility internally and externally, creating an extensive network across the property environment.
• Other duties as advised from time to time.

Qualifications

• Consistent track record in acquisitions and/or development.
• Chartered Surveyor (General Practice) with a minimum of two years relevant post‑qualification experience (ideally).
• Broad knowledge of landlord and tenant, planning, property and contract law, procurement, finance, construction and the acquisitions and development process (ideally).
• A proactive approach to problem‑solving with an ability to think strategically to make sound judgments based on knowledge and experience (essential).
• Demonstrated commitment to outstanding customer service and the company’s core values (crucial).
• Proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels, coordinating and leading relationships with internal and external parties—including agents, landowners, solicitors, local and statutory authorities, architects, planning consultants and project managers (crucial).
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Strong market knowledge including competitor activity, deals and market planning.
• Strong network of contacts in the wider property environment.
• Strong commercial business and operations knowledge.
• Team‑player with leadership passion and knowledge.
• A pragmatic and common‑sense approach, able to work under pressure and prioritise effectively.