Head of Estates
Assignment ID VV816
The Company:
Our client is an award winning and leading casual dining restaurant operator in its field with ambitious plans to expand the estate both in the UK and internationally.A Head of Estates is now being sought.
The Position:
Reporting to the newly appointed Group Property Director, the Head of Estates will primarily be responsible for managing our client’s rapidly growing estate to world-class expectations, ensuring consistent standards as our client embarks on a vital phase of new openings and maximise the potential of their physical brand, manage agents, consultants and solicitors, exploring rent-saving initiatives and achieving best outcomes on leases, licenses, service charges and other agreements. He/She will take ownership of due diligence, disposals and dilapidations, minimising disruptions, driving down costs and removing any obstacles to business.Other key duties and responsibilities will include:-
- Drive a commercial and first class property management service to the growing estate.
- Strategically manage landlord, agent and developer relationships and maximise the position of our client within the market.
- Drive negotiations of re-gears, rent review and lease renewal processes.
- Evaluate and challenge service charge and rates charges and implement an aggressive strategy to reduce these costs.
- Mmanage our client’s lease structure and landlord relationships in accordance with the business day to day operational requirements.
- Manage the relationship between the legal advisors on lease renewals through conveyancing and litigation processes and stay abreast of changes in legislation.
- Take the lead in dealing with site closures, ensuring our client’s exposure to dilapidation costs are minimised.
- Timely and accurate preparation of required papers/presentations materials to the board.
- Manage internal and external reporting processes as required including integrity of database management, debt reporting, monthly kpi reporting and other additional management reports.
- Effectively manage landlord relationships, negotiating consents and approvals for restaurant re-fits and inserts.
- Build strong relationships with the wider property department to enhance the overall department effectiveness and performance.
- Managing external agents and consultants, solicitors etc.
- Rent saving initiatives.
- Negotiation of leases, licenses, service charges and other agreements across for the whole UK, including central kitchen and head office.
- Dealing with any landlord and tenant issues.
- Managing any disposals/dilapidations.
- Managing all due diligence.
The Candidate Profile:
The new Head of Estates is likely to be a Graduate Chartered Surveyor with at least 5+ years post qualification relevant experience in a similar role within the hospitality, leisure or retail sector.He/She should:-
- Be a confident commercial negotiator with the ability to handle higher volumes of work as the estate expands.
- Have excellent experience of professional rent reviews, negotiations and the ability to build and maintain brilliant working relationships with external agents and the wider property marketplace.
- Proactive, able to take ownership and be customer (operations) service oriented.
- Have an eye for detail, be able to work at pace and under pressure.
- Be able to help protect and grow their brand as “beautiful restaurants are a crucial part of their brand identity.”
- Have well developed communication and presentation skills.
- Be commercially astute and technically competent.
- Be comfortable working and operating in a robust environment with a challenging collaborative culture.
- Be results driven.
- Should be inclusive, open to change and have a sense of humour.
The Location:
London with occasional time spent away from the office.The Salary & Supporting Benefits:
Attractive base salary, bonus, car allowance of £6,125, family private health, pension scheme, income protection cover, 25 days holiday etc.The above are principal elements in an attractive and comprehensive Remuneration Package reflecting our client’s determination to appoint a first class candidate.
It is our policy to practice equal opportunities in recruitment and selection for all candidates. We have a responsibility to avoid unlawful discrimination.