Estates Manager
Assignment ID VV856
The Company:
Our client is the largest and most successful fast-casual operator in its field. The brand is synonymous with an energetic, vibrant culture, and with providing a great value-for-money proposition. It embraces fast growing sector trends (including eating out, healthy eating, provenance ethnic cuisine, delivery) across a variety of locations, through a differentiated product offering which is popular with a broad customer base, and a clearly defined multi-channel marketing strategy. It benefits from flexible site locations and formats, and a scalable central infrastructure.The Group is targeting c45 new sites over the next five years including building on the success of the existing portfolio of delivery- only “cloud kitchens” as well as also targeting further franchising and licensing opportunities.
The Group’s operating model works across a variety of site types such as high streets, shopping centres, residential areas, cloud- kitchens, transport hubs and theme parks.
The Position:
Reporting to the Property Director in this newly created role, the Estates Manager will primarily be responsible for managing their expanding portfolio; ensuring consistent standards are maintained; maximising the potential of our client by managing Consultants and Solicitors; exploring rent-saving initiatives and key performances on leases, licences, service charges and other agreements.The Estates Manager will also take ownership of due diligence, disposals, dilapidations and minimising disruption.
Other key responsibilities and duties will include
- handle any Landlord and Tenant issues
- manage relationships with Landlords and their managing agents
- oversee the property management service
- manage all lease change events – lease renewals/break notices/rent reviews
- overall management of property fixed costs including rent, service charges and insurance – providing periodic budget information, initiatives to reduce ongoing spend
- negotiation of re-gears, rent reviews and lease renewals
- management of any disposal activity across the business, providing valuation advice and recommendations and the coordination and management of external disposal agents
- manage lawyers through lease renewals and litigation processes and keep abreast of changes in legislation
- management of external rating surveyors to reduce overall costs
- challenge service charges in conjunction with external consultants
- coordinating the response to dilapidations and notices of repair – ensure all site closure dilapidation costs are minimised
- negotiate all consents and approvals for restaurant refurbs/sparkles
- review rent saving initiatives
- manage all due diligence
The Candidate
The ideal Candidate is likely to be an RICS qualified Estates professional with relevant experience in a multisite leisure, hospitality or retail environment. Surveyors working in Private Practice with relevant background and experience will also be considered.Other key attributes sought are
- technically competent with an eye for detail
- self-motivated, enthusiastic, personable and confident
- commercially astute and a good negotiator
- someone who can work equally well independently and as part of a team
- a people person with strong communication skills who will engage across the wider business
- a well organised person who is able to prioritise and adopt a systematic and flexible approach
- comfortable working at pace and be challenged
- have a strong desire for continuous improvement and be results driven
- have excellent IT skills
The Location:
Field based but will spend one day a week in the Head Office in London. The majority of their Estate is located in City Centres close to Rail Stations.The Salary & Supporting Benefits:
The above are principal elements in an attractive and comprehensive 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.