Director of Property & Estates

Our prestigious global retail client have a requirement for an interim Director of Properties & Estates. This role will be responsible for oversight of the client’s entire property portfolio and will also be responsible for developing and executing a new property strategy, ensuring it aligns with the wider company strategic goals and objectives. This role will report into the Group Operations Director.

Up to £700 per day – UMBRELLA ONLY

6 month initial contract

Hybrid Working – 2 days per week onsite in the client’s Somerset head office

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute property strategy.
• Enhance profitability through lease negotiations, acquisitions, and cost management.
• Manage lease renewals, rent reviews, and landlord-tenant negotiations.
• Oversee property maintenance, compliance, and health & safety.
• Monitor and manage property-related costs.
• Provide strategic leadership for the UK & Ireland property portfolio.
• Ensure effective communication and risk management.
• Collaborate with Finance, Retail Operations, and Customer Marketing.
• Inspire and support the team, fostering personal development and engagement.
• Lead a customer-centric property service.

Experience needed:

• Senior Property Management Experience: Proven track record of operating in Director-level positions, with resilience, influence, and ability to handle change and tight deadlines
• Legal Knowledge: Proficient in property law, contract law, and relevant legislation.
• Strategic Leadership: Skilled in developing and leading property strategies, ensuring high-quality, timely, and budget-compliant implementation.
• Comprehensive Property Services Management: Experienced in estates management and overseeing large property portfolios with significant costs and investments.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong judgement to balance risk, resolve conflicts, and make tough decisions for long-term business benefits.
• Team Leadership: Ability to lead cross-functional teams and inspire, coach and support the team to encourage their personal development, nurture their aspirations and demonstrate continuous improvement.

Any candidates who are not able to clearly demonstrate all of the required experience above within their CV, will not be considered for this role.

To apply for this role, please send a copy of your CV in the first instance. Suitable candidates will be contacted in due course. If you have not heard back within 7 days following CV submission, your application in this instance will have been unsuccessful.

Our Bristol based Financial Services client have a current interim requirement for an experienced Business Operating Metrics Consultant.

Responsible for taking a leading role in:

• defining business operating metrics criteria needed for Exec Committee oversight and governance across the organisation
• ensuring fulfilment of data needed to accurately produce information dashboards for Exec presentation
• establishing a series of Exec level dashboards for delivery
• setting priorities & actively driving the delivery of Exec information dashboard production

To be successful in this role you will need:

• To be fully conversant with, and understand the needs of, Exec committee governance oversight and the business operating metrics required to make high-level executive decisions within a Financial Services organisation.
• To be capable of owning the project from a product perspective and providing clear direction & guidance to the delivery team to deliver the solution
• To be hands-on during the definition and design activities and work closely with the data delivery team
• Presentation and stakeholder engagement skills at Exec Committee level

3 months initial contract to cover the definition phase, with delivery phases to follow.

Hybrid working with regular time on site in Bristol (circa 2 day / week)

The COO is a critical leadership role and, along with the Chief Executive and other Executive Committee colleagues, will have responsibility for leading ATE and its people, performance, and overall budget (approx. £200m). Specifically, this role will be accountable for financial oversight, operational excellence and corporate governance and will oversee ATE’s corporate functions, including Finance, Performance, Risk & Assurance, Communications & Estates and Programme Management Office.

We are looking for an outstanding person to lead these functions. The successful candidate will be someone with proven experience of providing leadership within a fast-paced and ambitious organisation whilst also managing organisational complexities.

The role and responsibilities for this position include:

• Serve as the principal advisor to the CEO on financial matters. Oversee the agency’s budget, manage finances, and safeguard public funds.
• Lead corporate services, driving efficiency and effectiveness across Finance, Governance, People, Communications, Commercial and performance. Lead change where required and drive continuous improvement.
• Drive the development of ATE’s future people and estates strategy, ensuring the right people are in place and ensuring the capability and capacity to deliver.
• Uphold and oversee appropriate governance arrangements and internal controls, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and financial standards.
• Manage ATE’s day-to-day budget (c£250m) and ensure robust financial systems are in place.
• Credibly and clearly represent ATE’s interests in discussion with the wider department.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate themselves against the following essential criteria:

• Proven people leadership skills, with experience of setting the direction of an organisation, building and leading high performing teams, and with a strong background in effective governance, decision-making, internal control, and risk management.
• Proven leader in formulating, developing, and executing corporate strategy, with expertise in analysing the strategic economic and political landscape to translate complex objectives into actionable plans that drive long-term success.
• Skilled in leading corporate functions, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and achieving operational excellence through innovative solutions and strategic alignment.
• Strong experience of managing operational services at pace with an ability to work with stakeholders to make connections between policy intent and real-world situations.
• Experience of managing large budgets including forecasting, monitoring spend and delivering value for money.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to challenge and change the way things have been done in the past, take managed risks and drive a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Awareness of project and programme management tools and techniques to deliver desired outcomes

A finance qualification (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent) and/or HR qualification (CIPD or equivalent) is preferred but not required.

To apply or for more detail please visit https://gdsearch.sandersonplc.com/chief-operating-officer-active-travel