Commercial Property Manager

The Role

In-house commercial property role managing the legal commercial property team in the acquisition of leasehold retail premises, lease renewals, litigation (lease renewals), disposals and re-gears, as well as advising on landlord and tenant issues.  Heading a team of three, the Commercial Property Manager is responsible for ensuring efficient delivery of all commercial property services to the company and enabling acquisition and relocation targets to be met. The role reports to the General Counsel (Board Director level).

Ideally you will have extensive PQE in house experience holding a professional legal qualification (Solicitor or FCIlex) (good knowledge of Landlord & Tenant 1954 Act, SDLT and Land Registry rules and procedures) and litigation in respect of lease renewals.

Main Responsibilities:

• Managing a small commercial property team consisting of Solicitor, Senior Paralegal and Paralegal to delivery of commercial property services to the company in an efficient manner ensuring targets are met
• Liaising with the wider property team including Head of Acquisitions, Head of Property, Head of Retail Development, Surveyors, Project Managers and Architectural Technicians, external agents and solicitors
• Hands on role drafting contracts for sale, agreements for lease, leasehold acquisitions and renewals, licences to assign, licences to alter in conjunction with acquisitions, sub-leases, deeds of assignment and transfers
• Calculating SDLT liabilities and completing Inland Revenue SDLT returns
• Litigation in respect of lease renewals, issuing and serving proceedings, drafting Directions and managing and instructing external litigation solicitors
• Relocations - agreeing deeds of variation, deeds of surrender and licences to occupy
• Disposals – drafting Contracts for Sale, obtaining Landlord's consent to assign, references, agreeing Licences to Assign
• Preparing Lease renewal and acquisition reports for Board approval
• Managing external retained solicitors in respect of transactions in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
• Advising on Lease terms and other landlord and tenant issues to other departments
• Overseeing maintenance of property portfolios and schedules and management of the on-site deeds room
• Mentoring team members working towards professional qualifications

The Person

• Must enjoy a high degree of autonomy
• Ability to manage and prioritise own workload and those of the team
• Good time management and the ability to adhere to strict deadlines
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, approachability is key
• Commercial awareness
• Excellent keyboard skills (acts as own secretary and administrator)
• Hold a professional legal qualification (Solicitor or FCIlex)

The Company Holland & Barrett is one of the nation's most loved and trusted brands, known for offering quality health food, vitamins and supplements all sold by highly trained and qualified advisors.

Bucking the current trend of high street retailers, we forecast significant growth and expansion plans in the coming years, with considerable investment going into all areas of the business. We certainly embrace change and drive speed in everything we do. Every day presents a different challenge, but every day is also filled with fun, teamwork and passion to succeed and surpass every expectation.

Join us and see how far you can go…