Asset Manager

Permanent 

From £65,000 - £75,000 + Pension + PMI + ShareSave + 6.6 weeks holiday + Hybrid Working (2 days per week in the office)

Southampton, Store Support Office

We believe anyone can improve their home to make life better. From our Southampton Store Support office (SSO) we equip our stores, our people, and our whole business with everything it takes to help our millions of customers create a home they’ll love. Join us as an Asset Manager you’ll be a big part of this. 

Role Purpose: Proactively managing B&Q’s leasehold and freehold estate to optimise our store network and directly contribute to the growth and success of our retail business. In this role, reporting directly to the Head of Assets and Estates, you will be responsible for analysing, negotiating and delivering property transactions across the existing portfolio, identifying value-add workstreams and strategic thinking to protect the estate long-term. You enjoy engaging with people as much as you do analysing the numbers. Most importantly, you’re proactive and entrepreneurial, someone who thrives in a high-accountability, low-ego culture where ideas are welcomed and execution is everything. We’ve got ambitious growth plans at B&Q – and we’d love you to be a part of it.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities:

• Undertake proactive asset management of the leasehold and freehold estate by way of; regearing, rightsizing and relocation activity, under the guidance of the Head of Assets & Estates
• Exploit opportunities to reduce property cost, optimise lease structures and protect the long-term security of tenure of our trading stores
• Identify initiatives to ‘add value’ or generate income from within the estate and release capital through planned freehold disposal programmes
• Develop deal structures and undertake tactical negotiations to gain competitive advantage in dealings with Landlords & tenants, maximising returns to the business
• Collaborate with, instruct and manage the performance of external professional consultants and agencies to achieve efficient, cost effective and highly productive project teams in order to drive results
• Draft robust business cases and concise, accurate, board submissions for asset management led opportunities.
• Collate, review and analyse property and financial data to support articulation of business cases and demonstrate deliverables from planned property strategies
• Maintain a broad, detailed understanding of the retail and property markets to identify advantageous practices or trends within the industry
• Engage and maintain a wide-ranging network of contacts within; commercial property, financial institutions, retail organisations and industry forums

Key Business Relationships:

• Works with the Location Analyst and Finance teams to assess the viability of property transactions & store locations
• Works with the inhouse Legal team to ensure the legality and compliancy of all contracts and dealings
• Supports the Store Development team to enable timely delivery of cost-effective projects
• Engages with agents, consultants and the commercial property industry to achieve objectives
• Supports the Estate Manager & Surveyors to ensure accurate and complete property records are maintained

Required Skills & Experience:

• Previous experience working in a retail organisation with an established, UK wide retail portfolio
• 5+ years PQE
• MRICS qualified
• Experience in the asset management of an established leasehold & freehold estate including relocation, rightsizing & new store acquisition activities
• Sound knowledge and application of Landlord & Tenant Acts, town planning, investment principles
• Thorough knowledge of legal process, property and contract law
• Confident communicator providing advice and recommendations in a clear and concise manner with regular informed updates
• A proven team member with the ability to support, enable and enthuse others while keeping the leadership updated on progress, challenges & opportunities
• Clean driving licence, UK wide travel may be required, ideally located in South England

As part of a great team, you’ll be valued for who you are. We’re committed to making B&Q more diverse and representative of the communities we serve, where everyone can feel they belong and have equal opportunities. You will have access to a range of networks that represent our colleagues and allies and help us to continue to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business.

We also recognise that wellness means different things to different people, and we want to help colleagues be at their best and feel well by offering a range of benefits to help you. As well as a competitive salary, our benefits package includes an award-winning pension scheme, bonus, ShareSave options, 6.6 weeks holiday, payroll giving, an Employee Assistance Programme, shopping discounts, colleague wellbeing benefits and lots more! 

So we can support you during the application or interview process, please contact recruitment@b-and-q.co.uk for any recruitment adjustments.