Property Manager

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Property Strategy & Estate Planning

• Develop and deliver a 3-year property strategy aligned with retail and service growth targets
• Lead estate optimisation initiatives including relocations, refits, rightsizing, and closures
• Use retail performance data and insights to inform strategic property decisions
• Identify and secure new shop opportunities in target locations
• Proactively identify property-related risks and implement mitigation strategies

Acquisitions & Disposals

• Source, evaluate, and negotiate new retail premises
• Lead lease negotiations, renewals, rent reviews, break options, and regears
• Manage shop closures and disposals while minimising financial exposure
• Appoint and manage external agents, surveyors, and legal advisors

Lease & Estate Management

• Ensure effective management of lease events and critical dates
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date property records and systems
• Manage service charge budgets and challenge costs where appropriate
• Build and manage strong landlord relationships

Facilities & Compliance

• Ensure statutory compliance across the estate (H&S, fire safety, asbestos, EPCs, etc.)
• Oversee planned and reactive maintenance programmes
• Manage facilities management providers and contractors
• Ensure all locations are safe, compliant, and customer-friendly environments

Financial Management

• Prepare and manage the property budget (rent, rates, service charge, utilities, maintenance)
• Ensure procurement compliance in line with organisational policy (knowledge of public procurement / eTenders advantageous)
• Identify and deliver cost-saving opportunities
• Develop business cases for new sites and capital investment
• Support income growth through strategic estate development

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead, coach, and develop the property function
• Partner closely with Retail Operations, Finance, and Senior Leadership teams
• Present property strategies, updates, and investment cases to Executive and Board level
• Support regional and area managers on property-related matters

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Degree qualification in Property Management or related discipline
• Significant senior-level property or estate management experience (multi-site retail preferred)
• Proven track record in lease negotiations and rent reviews
• Experience managing a geographically dispersed portfolio
• Experience delivering retail and/or office fit-outs
• Strong financial and budget management capability
• Experience working with landlords, agents, and legal advisors
• Solid knowledge of property compliance and health & safety legislation

Desirable Experience

• Experience within retail sector
• Understanding of retail KPIs and trading performance metrics
• Experience managing mixed-use or warehouse properties
• Professional qualification (MSCSI / MRICS)

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making ability
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management
• Ability to balance mission impact with commercial returns
• Resilient, proactive, and solutions-focused

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Property cost ratio vs retail income
• Delivery of favourable lease renewals and negotiations
• Estate growth aligned to retail strategy
• Reduction in void costs and dilapidation liabilities
• Compliance performance and audit outcomes
• Delivery of capital projects on time and within budget

Additional Requirements

• Full, clean driving licence
• Willingness to travel nationwide
• Flexibility to work outside standard hours when required