Estates and Acquisitions Manager

There’s plenty about Topps Group that might surprise you. Like the scale of our Support Office in Leicester. We have Finance, Marketing, Buying, Central Operations, HR, Property, Customer Service and IT all under one roof. Tight-knit teams of talented people working together and working hard to get things done and drive results. But then, would you expect anything less from an ambitious, dynamic, market-leading, multi-million-pound retail business? 

We are currently looking for an Estates and Acquisitions Manager to join our team!

Reporting to the Head of Property and based out of our Leicestershire Support Office, with the autonomy to manage your time between home, office and site visits, you’ll play a key part in  building on the success of the property team who have supported on the continued growth of the company.

As part of a small in-house Estates Team, you will liaise with external partners in respect of financial property management (rent, insurance and service charges) and also with solicitors, landlords, tenants, consultants, insurers, surveyors as required. With the potential to build additional partner relationships where suitable.

You’ll maintain an up-to-date Estate Management Schedule and regularly maintain reports on estate KPIs/averages, lease renewals, rent reviews, building surveying matters, business rates and agency advice. Support the business in identifying lease re-gear opportunities on key sites and driving value through rent frees or incentives. The role will also require acquisitions work across the UK as the business plans to target unique opportunities in a handful of locations. The role will also encompass store disposals, sub lettings, dilapidation matters as allocated and provide budget and other reports to finance colleagues on rent, rates, insurance and other service charges.

You’ll also work closely with the Facilities Manager in advising on lease compliance and assist in obtaining landlords consents or other regulatory consents. Support in completing Licence to Alters as required alongside our legal advisors. Support as required on property issues and access problems. Provide remedies and advise within appropriate timescales.

With regular exposure to the Executive Management Team, you’ll be expected to prepare and present updates and general market opportunities which offer a great opportunity for a driven, confident property professional to influence decisions at the highest level of the Group.

The role holder would ideally be a RICS Chartered Surveyor (General Practice or Estate Management) with experience and up to date knowledge of commercial property legislation, estate management and landlord and tenant matters. The role will require a hands-on approach to provide “client side” property surveying of varying nature.

You’ll have an enthusiastic, proactive and positive attitude, combined with a resilient and dynamic approach to getting things done and able to influence decisions at all levels of business.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• Have an appropriate RICS accredited real estate degree (or similar)
• RICS MRICS membership (general practice)
• Live within a reasonable commuting distance of the Group HQ at Enderby (Leicester) and hold a current valid full driving licence
• Excellent communication skills with good telephone and email manner
• Understanding financial aspects of the work and able to drive performance
• Good IT and administrative skills, being able to prioritise and handle difficult situations
• Good organisation skills and diligence in record keeping
• Excellent team player and able to take the initiative
• Ability to provide advice and recommend
• Commercial awareness of the property market, ideally within the retail / industrial / warehouse area. Knowledge of rents and standard lease terms. Understanding of MEES and regulations.

In a culture where hard work is recognised and great results are rewarded, you can look forward to a company bonus that will give you a share of our success - up to 25% of your base salary! Then there’s a company car, generous staff discount, a Share Save scheme, pension and life assurance, a holiday allowance that increases with length of service and a wide range of other benefits. Plus flexible working, free on-site parking, generous discounts on products and services and more. A lot more. We’re committed to promoting talent from within too, which means you’ll be well-supported to build a rewarding career with an individual development plan and lots of training on offer.