Senior Estates Manager

Senior Estates Manager | Retail

A household-name retailer, with a multi-hundred-site store estate and an ambitious growth agenda, is hiring a Senior Estates Manager to take strategic ownership of its existing portfolio.

This is an exclusive mandate by our client, a large, fast-paced retail business with national reach. While the title says "Senior," the scope is Head of Estates: youll lead the estates function, shape strategy, and have direct line of sight to the senior leadership team.

The opportunity

Our client is investing in a more strategic approach to managing its existing estate, and is creating this role to lead that shift - working closely with senior leadership to set the direction. Its a rare chance to build out a tactical function into one with real commercial weight and influence, inside a business that moves with start-up pace despite its scale.

What youll be doing

• Developing and executing the strategy for an existing multi-hundred-site property portfolio.
• Leading, coaching and developing an estates team, shifting their focus to proactive, strategic management.
• Driving a significant uplift in weighted average unexpired lease term by identifying sites for lease extension versus closure or relocation.
• Leading strategic lease renewals and re-gears at real pace this business expects swift execution from approval to completion.
• Delivering a high volume of site transactions annually.
• Managing and unlocking value from a freehold portfolio.
• Spotting portfolio-level deal opportunities with major landlords.
• Using location-analytics tools to inform decision-making.
• Working cross-functionally across the wider business in a low-red-tape, fast-decision culture.

What were looking for

• Deep, credible expertise in estates management - you know your stuff, and it shows.
• A strategic, proactive mindset - someone who can analyse portfolio performance and turn it into clear recommendations, not just manage transactions.
• Proven experience leading an estates function or team.
• Comfort working at pace, making quick decisions, and operating with autonomy.
• A collaborative, team-first approach - happy to roll up your sleeves and work alongside experienced, long-serving colleagues.
• MRICS is the benchmark of quality here, though candidates with strong degree-qualified experience will also be considered.
• Head of Estates experience and familiarity with location-analytics platforms would be an advantage, but are not essential.

Whats on offer

• Salary circa £85,000 DoE
• Hybrid working pattern (home-based two days a week, with structured in-office days for team collaboration and 1:1s).
• A genuinely high-impact, high-visibility role with scope to shape strategy and grow the function - and the title - over time.

This is a confidential opportunity and the clients identity will be shared with shortlisted candidates as the process progresses. To find out more or to apply, please get in touch.