Estates & Acquisitions Manager

Our Role

Reporting to the Head of Property, the role plays an important part in a small, hands-on, property team which works in a fast paced environment putting the customer at the heart of everything we do, whilst supporting the strategic growth of the business. You will …

• Take ownership of the estates and property management of our varied portfolio including 75 stores in UK & Ireland (high street, shopping centre, outlet and concessions) and 2 offices
• Work with the Head of Property on the new store acquisition programme to support our ambitious growth plans
• Manage and own every aspect of the rent review and lease renewal process – to ensure best financial outcomes for TWC
• Prepare and manage budgets for all occupancy costs (rent, rates, service charge and insurance) - working closely with our Finance team and with specialist consultants when needed, to ensure best possible outcomes for TWC
• Maintain an accurate record of all property interests in the portfolio

What you’ll be doing

• Responsibility for the lease renewal and rent review process across the portfolio, monitoring and reporting against budgets, securing the best possible terms for the business, obtaining Board Approval and keeping robust records and sharing outcomes with our Finance partners
• Leverage opportunities for financial gain by exploiting re-gear and other income generating property initiatives.
• Working with the Head of Property to identify opportunities and negotiate terms to acquire and deliver new stores, and concessions in line with TWC expansion strategy. This will involve preparation of financial analysis and appraisals with a full business case to provide a full Board Paper to support the acquisition, working closely with Retail and Finance partners.
• Feasibility of new stores will be assessed alongside architects and internal visual merchandising team. Working closely with the construction team to ensure robust specifications on new sites are agreed and assisting in securing landlords consent for works prior to start on site
• Manage property management enquiries from store teams, facilities, H&S and landlords, including applications for Landlord consent and working closely with Property Maintenance as required on landlord queries, dilapidations and repair projects
• Liaise and work closely with retained property agents, solicitors, landlords, developers, specialists, other retailers and the property market in general to remain in touch with all aspects of the retail property market and changing retail landscape.
• Develop strong property team relationships understanding roles of the wider TWC property team

What skills & experience you’ll need

• Ideally a chartered surveyor (member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the management of a retail property portfolio, ideally within an inhouse estates/property department.
• Full working knowledge of UK property law and regulations, actively staying up to date with relevant frameworks ensuring full compliance in property related activities.
• Experience in working across different retail asset types (shopping centres, High Streets, Retail parks etc), with a strong market knowledge of locations across the UK and be able to demonstrate credible landlord relationships.
• Strong negotiating skills, with the ability to assess and present situations through a commercial and customer lens.
• Self-motivated with an ability to manage the portfolio independently, organising workload without supervision to ensure all tasks and projects are completed on time and in budget.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, building strong relationships with internal stakeholders.
• Clear communicator with solid presentation skills – written and spoken. The role will involve regular presentation to Board members.
• The role will be based from TWC Head Office in London but will involve extensive travel throughout the UK & Ireland including overnight stays as required.

What will make you brilliant at this role

• Be proactive and self-leading, with a passion for retail property and making things happen – ability to innovate and look to the future
• Confident and effective communicator – translating technical property terms into a language common to the wider business and inspiring confidence across your colleagues

What we’ll offer you

• Discount -Up to 50% discount and access to regular Sample Sales
• Holiday - 25 days rising to 28 with the length of service
• 20% Bonus - In addition to our competitive salaries, all our employees are entitled to join a discretionary bonus scheme (based on policy eligibility)
• Pension Scheme - enrolled in our Group Personal Pension schemes upon joining the business.
• Perkplace Benefits Platform – offering a variety of discounts across well-being and lifestyle
• Wagestream Money Management app - access to Wagestream gives you power over your pay and supports financial wellbeing
• Continued Development – We offer structured support from our own in-house Learning and Development Hub
• Salary Sacrifice scheme for Electric vehicles (dependent on grade and meeting policy eligibility)
• Private Healthcare with additional Babylon Digital Healthcare (based on contract duration)
• Life Assurance

Additional Benefits

• Fruit basket daily
• Tea and coffee provided
• Working from Home - option to work from home on Mondays and Fridays
• Social - Christmas party/social events throughout the year
• Seasonal Sample Sales
• Volunteer Day - with a charity of your choice
• Great Location - Close to transport links - over ground Shepherds Bush station /underground White City & Wood Lane stations. Westfield shopping centre with shops restaurants/bars/cinema and gyms

Our Equality Diversity and Inclusion statement of commitment

At The White Company we are committed to creating an inclusive culture that welcomes and celebrates a diversity of backgrounds and identities.

We are working together to ensure our environment is one where people can bring their authentic selves to work, where their contribution is valued, ability enhanced, and perspective appreciated. Where difference is respected, encouraged, and celebrated. Where you can feel you belong.

We are committed to an active Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process.

We'd love you to join us on our journey.

Our Sustainability statement of commitment

We are committed to building a sustainable legacy that will enable a brighter future for people and our planet. We believe this should be reflected in everything we do.