Junior Estates Surveyor

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 a Junior Estates Surveyor to join our team!

As part of our small, friendly, Property team the role will be to provide support to the wider department in undertaking property surveying services across the Topps Group across our estate portfolio comprising over 300 stores nationwide. The management of property across this portfolio requires constant and careful attention and the role holder will play an important part in delivering this. The role holder would be working towards RICS qualification and would receive the support needed. The role will require a hands-on approach to provide “client side” property surveying of varying nature. The role will largely encompass rent reviews and lease renewals, plus work related to repairs/ maintenance, dilapidations, disposal & management of surplus premises, day to day management of existing holdings.

Scope:

• Budget for and negotiate rent reviews and lease renewals. Liaise with landlord’s or their agents directly, and source comparable evidence to negotiate the best rental terms.
• Measure property where required as part of rent reviews or lease renewals.
• Ensure that all deadlines are identified and met with in liaison with internal colleagues and external solicitors.
• Support the team with organising and managing repairs & maintenance, working with operational colleagues, contractors, landlords and other stakeholders.
• Provide support in keeping organised property records for the estate portfolio including maintaining the existing database, excel spreadsheets and Pro Lease software (Horizon/Qube).
• Using Topps Groups data to run property KPI’s to be used by the wider business and executive team.
• Work with colleagues and external consultants for the management and disposal, on the best terms achievable, of surplus property in the Group portfolio.
• Work with operational colleagues including stores and area managers relating to property issues and access problems. Provide remedies within appropriate timescales.
• Carry out general property management duties to include involvement with landlords/consultants inspections and queries.
• Where required assist in any requirements for licences, car parking management, party wall matters.
• If required assist in obtaining landlords permission and/or other regulatory consents or approvals and if necessary arrange for drawings/specifications to be produced for property work.

Skills and requirements

• Have an appropriate RICS accredited real estate degree (or similar)
• Working towards RICS MRICS membership - some surveying experience would be preferred
• 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 solid administrative skills, being able to prioritise and handle difficult situations
• Good organisation skills and diligence in record keeping
• Excellent team player but able to take the initiative where appropriate
• Ability to work well under pressure

n 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 20% 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