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- Tasks: Lead strategic real estate expansion and drive high-impact decisions with the Founder.
- Company: Join Zapp, London's leading premium convenience retail platform, disrupting the market since 2020.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity package, 25 days holiday, private health insurance, and flexible working.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail and make a real impact in a fast-scaling business.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in strategy consulting or real estate, strong negotiation and analytical skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration with senior leadership.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
As Director, Founder’s Office (Real Estate & Expansion), you will work directly with the Founder and Senior Leadership Team to shape and execute one of the company’s most critical growth priorities: expanding our physical operating footprint. This is a high-impact strategic role at the centre of a fast-scaling business, combining real estate execution, strategic planning, cross-functional leadership, and founder-level exposure. You will lead the end-to-end expansion agenda across warehouse, logistics, and retail infrastructure—identifying new opportunities, negotiating strategic transactions, and ensuring the company’s network scales ahead of demand. Acting as an extension of the Founder’s Office, you will drive some of the company’s most commercially important decisions and operate across strategy, execution, and stakeholder management.
About Zapp: Zapp is London’s leading premium convenience retail platform. Founded in 2020, our vision is to disrupt the multi-trillion dollar convenience retail market, currently dominated by major players, by developing best-in-class customer-centric technology and fulfilment solutions. Zapp partners with some of the world’s leading brands to deliver an exclusive range of hand-picked products 24/7, delivered in minutes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Founder’s Office Strategic Execution: Partner directly with the Founder to define and execute the company’s real estate and expansion roadmap. Translate business priorities into actionable market-entry and site growth plans.
- Real Estate Growth Strategy: Own the strategy and execution for new warehouse, logistics, and operational site acquisitions across priority markets. Build scalable frameworks for expansion decisions, site prioritisation, and rollout sequencing.
- Deal Leadership & Negotiation: Lead negotiations with landlords, developers, agents, and counterparties to secure commercially attractive lease terms, renewals, and strategic property transactions.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Coordinate closely with Operations, Finance, Legal, Planning, and Commercial teams to ensure expansion plans align with operational readiness, financial returns, and regulatory requirements.
- Founder & Executive Decision Support: Prepare investment cases, board materials, market analyses, and recommendations for the Founder and Senior Leadership Team. Provide clear, data-driven insights to support high-stakes decisions.
- Portfolio Oversight & Optimisation: Manage the existing leasehold portfolio including renewals, break clauses, dilapidations, lease events, and ongoing cost/value optimisation opportunities.
- Special Projects: Take ownership of high-priority strategic initiatives beyond core real estate—acting as a flexible operator within the Founder’s Office on mission-critical business topics.
Requirements:
- 6+ years of experience in strategy consulting, investment banking, private equity, real estate advisory, or high-growth startup leadership roles.
- Strong transaction experience across commercial real estate, expansion, M&A, or strategic partnerships.
- Exceptional commercial judgment with the ability to structure and negotiate complex deals.
- Highly analytical with strong financial modelling and business case skills.
- Proven ability to work directly with senior executives and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity with a founder mentality and ownership mindset.
- Strong communication skills with executive presence and attention to detail.
- Motivated by high-growth environments where pace, autonomy, and impact matter.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary & equity package.
- Enjoy 25 days of holiday per year (plus all bank holidays).
- Private Health Insurance.
- Extended sick pay and maternity/paternity leave pay.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangement.
Director, Founder’s Office (Real Estate & Expansion) employer: Zapp
Contact Detail:
Zapp Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Founder’s Office (Real Estate & Expansion)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the real estate and expansion space. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks 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
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in strategic planning and deal negotiation. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led projects or made impactful decisions in previous roles. This will help you stand out as a strong candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by doing your homework! Research Zapp’s business model, their recent expansions, and any challenges they might be facing in the market. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows initiative and gives us a better chance to review your profile thoroughly. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure you’re considered for the role you’re excited about!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Founder’s Office (Real Estate & Expansion)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director, Founder’s Office role. Highlight your experience in real estate and strategic planning, and show us how you can contribute to our expansion goals.
Showcase Your Achievements: We want to see what you've accomplished! Include specific examples of successful negotiations or strategic projects you've led. This will help us understand your impact and how you can drive our growth.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point while showcasing your skills.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Zapp.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zapp
✨Know Your Real Estate Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of commercial real estate and expansion strategies. Be ready to discuss recent trends, successful case studies, and how they relate to the role. This shows you’re not just interested in the position but also genuinely engaged with the industry.
✨Prepare for Strategic Conversations
Since this role involves working closely with the Founder and Senior Leadership Team, think about how you can contribute to high-level discussions. Prepare examples of past strategic decisions you've made and how they impacted growth. This will demonstrate your ability to think like a leader.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Negotiation is key in this role, so come armed with examples of complex deals you've successfully navigated. Be ready to discuss your approach to securing favourable terms and how you handle challenges during negotiations. This will highlight your expertise and confidence.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
This position requires working across various teams, so be prepared to share experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with different departments. Highlight how you ensured alignment and drove results, showcasing your ability to lead in a cross-functional environment.