Retail Development Lead

Salary:circa £90,000 plus excellent benefits package
Location:Southwark, London / Remotely

About us

TfL is one of the largest landlords in London. we are in a unique position to maximise commercial opportunities. We will do this both by developing new high specification retail outlets as well as improving our existing retail offering.

With this in mind we have formed an In Station business unit that will focus on delivering a customer centric retail experience across our stations. Our new team will work closely with both current and future tenants to deliver the retail ambitions that reflect the Mayor of London’s transport strategy.

We want to build a reputation as an attractive landlord and partner with a broad spectrum of brands that our customers want to see. We believe a fresh market leading approach and a team that puts customer service and retail experience at the forefront will achieve our ambitions.

About the role

You will lead the team responsible for identifying commercial opportunities both new and optimisation of existing retail space within the LU Retail Estate including Overground, Rail for London, Docklands Light Railway and Bus Stations.
With a focus on optimising retail space for our Business Partners success resulting in maximizing income and customer experience in a safe environment. Taking a strategic view across the estate by working closely with the Strategy Manager, Specialist Advisors and LU Sponsorship team with the clear ambition of generating the maximum amount of income to TfL with consideration for the Mayors Transport strategy, balancing the strategic aims of the organisation with the need to support our tenant business partners, both SME’s and national brands.
Our retail strategy will fully embrace the need to improve Station Ambiance and customer experience and this role will play a key part and provide clear leadership when working with virtual teams within TfL.

Your role will be to deliver space (End to End) and include responsibility for marketing and delivery of end to end from business case to lease execution.

Key Accountabilities

1. Responsibility for the development strategy for the retail portfolio, working closely with the Retail Team and Specialist Retail Advisors to determine the optimum use of space and brand mix
2. Establish the optimum strategic delivery function and work closely with the Construction team to look at the feasibility of the projects and to develop detailed budgets and cost plans for the capitalisation of investment

3. Development of active strategies for the realisation of increased value from TfL’s retail portfolio in accordance with the agreed retail strategy, TfL corporate objectives, Mayoral policies and other legal / statutory requirements and standards by working closely with the Head of Retail and Specialist Advisors applying business and market knowledge and maximising opportunities identified

4. Accountable for the development of retail strategies and business cases and coordinate investment appraisals for specific commercial opportunities, identifying relevant risks and constraints, including operational and political sensitivities

5. Develop excellent relationships with retailers and stakeholders/specialist advisors within their respective portfolio area and will be responsible for facilitating delivery of commercial opportunities through the operating businesses with Customer Experience at the heart of all decision making

6. Work closely with the operating businesses, Local Authorities and stakeholders to gain buy in, and to identify the most effective delivery methods and expedite the delivery process

7. Develop accurate budgets and business cases, financial forecasts and reviews of future income across the portfolios.

8. Working closely with specialist advisors undertake income benchmarking, for all existing retail space to maximise revenue within the TfL portfolio

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Skills

• Enterprise and commercial acumen: Ability to recognise, innovate, develop ideas drive different ways of working and establish new processes that will deliver improved financial results.

• Project management: Ability to manage a number of medium-sized and smaller development projects from concept to implementation, ensuring that the desired outcomes are delivered.

• Stakeholder engagement and advocacy: Ability to act in a politically adept and commercially astute manner, to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders, to ensure buy-in and senior stakeholder acceptance, to resolve business conflicts as they occur and to persuasively influence complex and sensitive transactions.

• Highly numerical and detail conscious, able to evaluate the financial value of new opportunities and present robust and convincing financial business cases.

Knowledge

• Degree level qualification preferably in a business-related discipline, ideally supplemented by a business management qualification(s) or equivalent relevant business experience in construction or property development.

• Knowledge of the key commercial dynamics of Retail and to develop best in class practices in relation to the formulation and execution of portfolio category strategies, and the ability to adapt this to suit both a complex transport environment and the constraints of the public sector together with a significant experience in the retail sector working in a customer focused environment

Experience

• Results driven and experience of overcoming constraints and organisational complexity in order to deliver results.

• Experience of driving excellence in customer experience and income development performance improvement in a challenging, multi-disciplinary Retail environment.

• Experience in project and programme delivery, including risk management and continuous focus on business direction.

• Experience of building relationships and influencing across a range of stakeholders as well as experience of reporting, presenting information and gaining formal approvals at senior management level.

Equality and Diversity

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability status.

Application Process

Please apply using your CV and a two page covering letter.

Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV and cover letter.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 18th July 2021 @ 23:59

Benefits

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include:

• Final salary pension scheme
• Free travel for you on the TfL network
• A 75% discount on National Rail Season Ticket and interest free loan
• 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers
• Discounted Eurostar travel