Director of Property Acquisitions

Director of Property Acquisitions - United Kingdom & Ireland
London, England
Full time position: £125,000 - £175,000
About the Business
Urban Rest is a fast-growing challenger in the serviced apartment and corporate housing space with properties across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. We are a technology-enabled hospitality brand disrupting a stagnant sector by creating a new category of corporate suitable accommodation at the intersection of hospitality and residential properties. Having experienced rapid growth, strong customer loyalty and success, we are accelerating our expansion across the UK and Ireland markets. This senior leadership role offers the opportunity to shape and drive our UK growth strategy at a pivotal stage in our company's development.

About the Role
The Director of Property Acquisitions (UK&IE) is a key leadership position responsible for driving and executing Urban Rest's growth strategy across the UK and Ireland markets. Working directly with the global head of supply, this role has significant autonomy in shaping our property acquisition strategy and building our European presence. The position reports to the Head of Property Acquisition and works closely with the European Managing Director and global executive team.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Growth

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• Own and drive the UK & IE property acquisition strategy, with accountability for meeting ambitious growth targets of 25+ units per month
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• Identify and pursue strategic opportunities in both established and emerging markets
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• Build and maintain relationships with key industry stakeholders, including major property developers, asset owners, and agents/brokers
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• Lead complex negotiations and structure innovative deal solutions
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• Guide the development of Urban Rest's UK & IE supply market positioning and growth strategy
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• Build and nurture long-term relationships with landlords through regular engagement and transparent communication
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• Act as the key point of contact for landlord relationships, ensuring consistent and professional representation of Urban Rest
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Commercial & Portfolio Management

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• Structure and negotiate high-value commercial agreements, including both lease and management contracts
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• Develop and maintain financial models for portfolio analysis and deal evaluation
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• Work autonomously to identify, evaluate, and close property opportunities
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• Lead due diligence processes and manage transaction execution
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• Collaborate with onboarding teams to evaluate FFE requirements and costs, ensuring alignment with landlord expectations and company standards
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• Manage property handover process to onboarding teams, ensuring smooth transition and implementation
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• Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of property deals, including expiry dates and renewal terms, ensuring proactive management of portfolio renewals
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• Lead renewal negotiations to secure optimal commercial terms and maintain portfolio stability
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Team Leadership & Development

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• Build and lead the UK property acquisition team
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• Mentor and develop team members
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• Foster a high-performance culture aligned with Urban Rest's values
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• Manage relationships with external partners and service providers
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• Maintain strong collaborative relationships with Operations teams to gather and implement learnings from property performance
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• Create an open feedback culture where Operations can freely share challenges and concerns about property features or terms to prevent recurring issues in future acquisitions
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Financial & Operational Management

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• Hold financial modeling responsibility for acquisition activities
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• Manage and optimize the deal pipeline to meet growth targets
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• Develop and maintain relationships with key financial stakeholders
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• Drive continuous improvement in acquisition processes and systems
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Required Experience & Skills

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• Minimum 10 years' experience in commercial property, with at least 5 years at a senior level
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• Proven track record in sourcing and closing high-value property deals
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• Deep understanding of the UK property market, ideally within hospitality and build-to-rent sectors
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• Strong experience in negotiating complex commercial agreements
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• Advanced financial modeling and analysis capabilities
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• Experience in leading and developing teams
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• Relevant property or real estate qualification highly advantageous
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• Previous experience in hospitality or serviced apartment sector beneficial
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What We Look For

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• Strategic leader with entrepreneurial mindset
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• Strong commercial acumen and deal-making capabilities
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• Proven ability to work autonomously and drive results
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• Excellence in stakeholder management and relationship building
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• Track record of successful team leadership
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• Change agent with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
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Benefits and Perks

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• Competitive base salary plus performance bonus and equity package
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• 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays
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• Flexible working arrangements (3 days minimum in London office)
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• Global travel opportunities
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• Access to staff stays at Urban Rest properties globally
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• Regular leadership team events
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• Significant career growth opportunities
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Location
This role is based in our London office, with a hybrid working arrangement requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in the office. Regular travel within the UK and occasional international travel will be required.
How to Apply
Please submit your application including:

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• Detailed Resume highlighting relevant experience and deal history
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• Executive summary of your approach to property acquisition strategy
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• Track record of deals closed and portfolio growth achieved
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• Any relevant case studies or evidence of innovation in deal structuring
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At UR, we extend our invitation to candidates from Indigenous, neurodiverse, disabled, international, and diverse cultural backgrounds. Our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace ensures that all applicants receive the necessary support and accommodations throughout the recruitment and onboarding process. We encourage candidates from various backgrounds to apply, as we value diversity and believe in creating an environment where everyone can succeed. Please let us know if you require any additional adjustments or support to help you through this process so you can shine as the best version of yourself.
We look forward to hearing from you!
www.stayurbanrest.com