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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team managing a large retail property portfolio and drive strategic growth.
- Company: Join a leading national retailer with ambitious expansion plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car allowance, pension, and 30 days holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a key leadership role within a dynamic retail environment.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in estate management and strong commercial negotiation skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About the job
Kingsley is instructed by a leading national retailer for an experienced Head of Estates to join a growing and forward-thinking retail business with an extensive UK property portfolio. With ambitious expansion plans and a portfolio already in excess of 700+ retail properties, this is a key leadership role within the Property function, offering the chance to make a real strategic and operational impact.
The Role
Reporting into senior leadership, the Head of Estates will lead a team of Estates Managers responsible for the day-to-day management of a large, multi-brand retail estate. The role requires a hands-on, commercially astute leader who is comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels. You will be a key stakeholder in driving the business’s growth strategy, ensuring property costs are controlled, risks are managed, and lease events are proactively handled.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, develop and motivate a team of Estates Managers
- Take ownership of the retail property portfolio, ensuring operational issues are minimised and costs are mitigated
- Monitor and manage key lease events, allocating workload appropriately
- Manage rent reviews and lease renewals from inception to conclusion
- Resolve landlord and tenant disputes promptly, minimising cost and business disruption
- Address operational property issues swiftly and efficiently across the store network
- Prepare and present Board papers for senior management and Directors
- Make and implement commercial decisions, balancing risk with long-term financial objectives
- Ensure property costs align with lease liabilities
- Maintain overall responsibility for the property database
- Manage relationships with landlords, tenants, and third-party professional advisors
Experience Required
- Significant experience in a senior Estates / Estate Management role, ideally within retail
- Strong track record of commercial negotiation, delivering positive outcomes
- Experience managing lease renewals, rent reviews, and lease events at scale
- Exposure to acquisition and disposal of retail premises (desirable)
- Experience managing third-party consultants and professional teams
- Proven ability to build and sustain strong internal and external relationships
Skills & Attributes
- Highly commercial and results-driven
- Strong leadership and people management capability
- Hands-on, resilient, adaptable, and determined approach
- Excellent organisation, planning, and prioritisation skills
- Proactive, open communicator with strong influencing skills
- Comfortable driving change and delivering outcomes in a fast-paced environment
- IT literate
- Relevant professional qualification (e.g. MRICS or equivalent) advantageous
Remuneration & Benefits includes:
- Competitive Basic Salary – Upon Request
- Company Car Allowance
- Pension
- 30 Days Holiday,…and more
If you are an experienced Estates leader looking for your next strategic challenge, I’d be keen to speak with you. If you wish to receive a copy of the full Job Description, or apply for this position, then please contact Andrew Kingsley MRICS.
Head of Estates – National Retailer in London employer: Place North West
Contact Detail:
Place North West Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estates – National Retailer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail and property sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers or colleagues. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their portfolio, recent news, and their growth strategy. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the Head of Estates role. Highlight your leadership skills and your ability to manage complex property portfolios effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estates – National Retailer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Estates role. Highlight your experience in managing retail properties and any relevant achievements that showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you can make a strategic impact!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that align with the job description, and don’t forget to show your enthusiasm for joining our forward-thinking team.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: In your application, emphasise your commercial negotiation skills and any successful outcomes you've achieved. We’re looking for someone who can balance risk with long-term financial objectives, so make sure to highlight relevant examples.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get your journey started!
How to prepare for a job interview at Place North West
✨Know Your Portfolio Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the company's property portfolio. Familiarise yourself with their retail locations, lease agreements, and any recent developments. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to discuss how you can contribute to managing and optimising their estate.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head of Estates, you'll be leading a team of Estates Managers. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on your ability to motivate and develop others. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, showcasing your hands-on approach.
✨Prepare for Commercial Negotiations
Given the importance of commercial negotiation in this role, brush up on your negotiation strategies. Think of instances where you've achieved positive outcomes in lease renewals or rent reviews. Be prepared to discuss your approach to balancing risk with long-term financial objectives during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role, especially when dealing with landlords, tenants, and third-party advisors. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You might even want to prepare a mock presentation of a Board paper to demonstrate your ability to convey complex information succinctly.
