Development / Acquisitions Manager

Who We Are:

BoyleSports is the largest and most successful independently owned bookmaker on the island of Ireland. Founded in 1989 by John Boyle, the business has grown to over 370 shops in Ireland and the UK, coupled now with a comprehensive online portfolio for betting and gaming.

BoyleSports HQ in the Republic of Ireland is located on the outskirts of Dundalk, and we currently employ over 2500 staff throughout Ireland and the rest of the world. With offices in Ireland, Gibraltar, South Africa and the Philippines, BoyleSports truly are a Global player within the Betting and Gaming industry.

Role: Development / Acquisitions Manager

Reports to: Director of Property & Development, UK

Location: U.K. based - Remote

Purpose of the role:

To support the Director of Property & Development in producing and maintaining a robust commercial property pipeline, by identifying and pursuing opportunities for the creation of new shops, and relocating or extending existing shops. Also, assisting with all commercial/property related matters and projections for future asset acquisitions. Effectively, supporting and assisting in the implementation of the retail development strategy throughout the U.K. and I.O.M.

In addition, supporting the Director of Property & Development and other members of the team by aiming to enhance the company’s profit and mitigate costs, within the existing U.K. and I.O.M trading estate.

Overview of the role:

• Commercial property acquisition:
• To investigate opportunities, concerning acquisition of suitable properties for new betting shop proposals and also relocation and/or extensions of existing betting offices. Also provide support on matters relating to any business acquisitions (whether share or asset purchases), including property related issues as well as reviewing businesses and potential.
• Propose target locations based on visits to assess the suitability of each location for a new Boylesports betting shop.
• Visit identified target locations on a regular basis to progress objectives given - Identifying shops that might be suitable for betting office use.
• Negotiate and agree deals on commercially favourable terms on any agreed units. Both in principle, and thereafter to agreed heads of terms, following standard and pre-defined acceptable commercial parameters. Liaise with our Construction PM/Architect to review physical suitability.
• Instruct our commercial property solicitors and support the legal process from initial instruction through Exchange of agreement for lease, to legal completion, as required.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships within the U.K./R.O.I property teams and U.K. retail operations team.
• Establish and maintain relationships and contacts with commercial property agents and keep abreast of relevant commercial property matters
  
  

Planning and Licencing Consents:

Securing appropriate statutory consents – including all appropriate planning consents, in conjunction with our planning consultants and obtaining premises licences in conjunction with our licensing lawyers; managing the process throughout and communicating progress effectively, as well as offering input into the application process to improve the content of applications.

Estate management:

• Provide estate management support, as required in line with experience
• Work with other members of the Property Team to minimise any possibility of disruption to any shops within the trading estate, providing support with visits, solutions and negotiations as required.
• Work closely with the Director of Property & Development and the senior Operations team to scrutinise and review all existing shops, to ensure that any portfolio optimisation is executed effectively.
• Provide support to the Property team in relation to general estate management work in the following areas:
• All property related issue management – L&T relationships (both as landlords and tenants).
• Liaising with landlords and supporting Shop Operations colleagues on repair and maintenance matters.
• Dealing with landlords, or managing agents, on service charge bills and any associated queries.
• Proactively managing yielding up and mitigating dilapidation claims and costs at the end of tenancies.
• Work with the U.K. Construction Project Manager to ensure that all regulatory and statutory compliance and testing regimes are completed in a timely manner and recorded appropriately.
• Contribute effectively towards delivery of Departmental KPIs.
• Stakeholder management and reporting:
• Identify and maintain relationships with all key stakeholders, internally and externally.
• Ensure that effective communication and reporting structures are in place to provide key information in a timely manner to all key stakeholders.
• Deliver ‘best in class’ support and service to all colleagues and the wider business.
  
  

Performance is measured by:

• Completion of agreed project numbers and quality, along with delivery within agreed budget and timeframe.
• Delivery of all projects and documentation to required standard.
• Positive feedback from key stakeholders.
• Key SLA and KPI targets being met – including but not limited to, new project volume, timeframes through deal and acquisition process, preparation of approval packs to required quality and timeframe, proposing and agreeing optimum strategies for new locations as well as for any required trading shops as directed.
  
  

Key skills, knowledge and experience required:

• Experience within a similar role, ideally within a betting shop operator or similar
• Proven track record of sourcing and completing new premises for a similar type of operation
• Good understanding of P&Ls, ideally relating to betting shops
• Strong data analysis skills
• Must possess a Full U.K. driving licence.
• MRICS qualification or relevant experience within commercial retail property environment and the associated legal process, including knowledge of relevant landlord and tenant legislation, is a preference though not essential.
• Able to manage own workload proactively.
• Able to establish and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders - Experienced in dealing with people at different organisational levels.
• Must be a credible communicator and proficient negotiator, with the ability to adapt style as appropriate.
• Results driven and motivated by project success - Comfortable dealing with multiple projects and changing priorities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Knowledge of the commercial property planning process and the betting premises licence process would be an advantage.