Regional Property and Workplace Lead

As a Regional Corporate Real Estate and Workplace Lead within the Group Property Team, the purpose of this role is to efficiently administer the operation of LRQA’s global corporate real estate portfolio and the execution of all related transactions against professional best practice and local statutory and customary requirements. Ensuring that the property portfolio aligns with stated business objectives and property and workplace strategy.

Delivering against the business’ budgeted priorities and LRQA’s value creation initiatives, consistently unlocking value. Executing all property transactions and defined prerequisite steps, across the LRQA Group properties, within the assigned regions. Based on key critical-date information with other data and information, work directly or in partnership with 3rd party property advisors and suppliers, to co-ordinate corporate real estate transactions in line with business needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• To administer existing tenancies, review negotiate the renewal and acquisition/disposal of leases, rent reviews and fit out / reinstatement schedules, as required and according to critical dates.
• Accountable for all Property Transactions and milestones for property in the respective regions, globally.
• Ensure that the LRQA Property Transaction, workplace and related governance process is adhered to.
• Prepare Needs Assessments for locations from internal data.
• Validate workplace requirements with local leaders, arranging meetings to understand requirements in detail as well as local / regional markets.
• Initiating Market searches with 3rd party brokers, other service providers and occasionally directly.
• Reviewing options with the local teams to establish preferred options.
• Preparing financial analysis and comparisons to lead decision making.
• Where required arrange viewings for local teams, connecting where appropriate property advisors.
• Work with brokers or negotiate with landlords to achieve best lease terms in line with business needs.
• Develop, prepare and submit financially based business cases for approval.
• Once approved collate all documentation.
• Review lease agreements and liaise with legal teams (Internal or External) & 3rd party property brokers for lease drafting amendments, approval and signing.
• Support execution of orderly transitions of operations to any new premises, overseeing projects from time to time.
• Provide support with reinstatement negotiations and oversight for properties within respective regions.
• Delivery of the best value outcomes for LRQA from property leases, approaches and negotiation.
• Work closely with Property Administrator to ensure all records are kept updated internally and with associated property advisors.
• Coordinate any other real estate and workplace related activities/transactions within the assigned region.
• Produce reports, key metrics, and contribute to budgeting processes during the year.
• Be a regular contributor to property strategy responsible for the planning, distribution, and quality of work
• Deal with queries and build relationships to effectively work with stakeholders across functions, and divisions, and build strong supplier relationships.
• Coach other team members, as appropriate, to achieve effective knowledge transfer and application.

Stakeholders:

• All Employee colleagues, Finance Teams, Global Operations Directors, Executive Leadership Team.
• Ensure suppliers are approved and set up in line with PO payment process and be a point of contact for internal finance and accounts payable, to facilitate the approval and timely payment of rent and other invoices, raising queries where necessary.
• Contribute to budgeting processes during the financial year and work to meet budget parameters.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Business degree, or equivalent preferred
• 3-5 years’ working experience, ideally in a similar corporate real estate and workplace role. Facility and/or project management experience useful.
• Proven influencing skills and ability to work collaboratively, both upwards and at peer level, with functional and business colleagues.
• Ability to use own initiative, and with strong organisation capabilities and focus on attention to detail.
• Flexibl…