Acquisition Manager - UK and EU - London

Sticks'n'Sushi; London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the hospitality sector is seeking an experienced Acquisition Manager to support its ambitious growth plans across the UK and Europe. The role involves identifying promising restaurant locations, engaging with various stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with the company's strategic vision. Candidates should bring strong project management and negotiation skills, with a deep knowledge of the hospitality property market and a positive, proactive approach.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in acquisitions in the hospitality sector.
• Fluency in English is mandatory, knowledge of other languages is an advantage.
• Proven experience with stakeholder engagement and project management.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate new restaurant sites for expansion.
• Engage with landlords and property owners.
• Prepare business cases for approval by the Executive Team.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Market Expertise

Network Building

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project Management Tools

Job description

Acquisition Manager - UK and EU - London

We are a team of small egos 'n' a place for individuals to shine brightly

Welcome to Sticks'n'Sushi - where Japan meets Denmark in the most deliciously unexpected way.

We're a bold blend of tradition and innovation - a place where classic sushi and sizzling yakitori sticks share the table. Whether you're a seafood lover or more into meat from the grill, there's something here for everyone.

Born in Copenhagen in 1994, Sticks'n'Sushi was founded by two Japanese-Danish brothers and their brother-in-law. With a unique blend of cultures and culinary traditions, they created something entirely new - and entirely unforgettable.

Today, we're a growing family of restaurants in Copenhagen, Berlin, and the UK -known for exceptional food, thoughtful Danish design, and a commitment to developing talented people.

As we continue our ambitious expansion across Europe, we're seeking an experienced and proactive Acquisitions Manager to support our growth plans from behind the scenes.

Our goal is to operate in 50 locations by 2028, with a strong pipeline of restaurant openings across the UK, Denmark, and Germany, while actively exploring new markets. Priority areas for expansion include the Midlands and the North of the UK, France, the Nordics, and further growth across the DACH region.

The Acquisitions Manager will play a pivotal role in identifying, evaluating, and securing new restaurant sites. This includes:

Building and managing a robust pipeline of prospective locations

Engaging with landlords, property owners, agents, architects, and contractors

Preparing and presenting well-evidenced business cases to our Executive Team and Board

Close collaboration with our Estates Director on location brief, coordinating design, permit and construction options ensuring alignment with our broader development strategy.

This is a dynamic role requiring strong commercial acumen, excellent stakeholder management skills, and end-to-end project oversight. With multiple projects expected to run in parallel across several countries, proven project management capability is crucial.

Frequent travel across the UK and Europe is a core aspect of the role, reflecting the wide scope of our expansion vision.

Your Key Responsibilities

Brand Representation & Culture:

Act as our brand ambassador, embodying our values and culture in every interaction. Build trust and make a positive impression with internal and external stakeholders.

Strategic Site Identification:

Using our 5-year growth plan and in collaboration with the Executive Team and Board, identify and assess high-potential locations for successful restaurant openings.

Primary Contact for Property Leads:

Serve as the single point of contact for all inbound property and site enquiries, ensuring a responsive and professional approach.

Market Expertise & Network Building:

Bring deep knowledge of the UK hospitality property market, with prior exposure to European or other international markets highly desirable. Leverage an established network of agents, developers, landlords, and hospitality professionals to uncover opportunities.

Proactive & Resilient Approach:

Demonstrate high levels of tenacity, energy, and drive. Maintain a sense of urgency, exceptional attention to detail, and the discretion to handle sensitive information with professionalism.

Commercial Evaluation & Presentation:

Prepare and present compelling and data-driven business case documentation using Microsoft Office tools.

Project & Time Management:

Manage multiple projects concurrently in a fast-paced and evolving environment. Take a structured, organised approach to prioritisation and delivery.

Continuous Improvement:

Apply Kaizen principles to drive process efficiency and improve ways of working. Familiarity with project/task management tools is advantageous.

Educational / minimum requirements

No specific educational requirements but an extensive level of experience in a similar role working with highly sensitive and confidential information, and with Board Level team members a must. Knowledge of the Hospitality industry a definite advantage.

Personal qualifications /competencies

LANGUAGE

Fluency in English is mandatory, knowledge of other languages an advantage (Danish, German, French or Spanish in particular)

CAPABILITIES

Excel, PowerPoint, Strong personal network, Knowledge of Real Estate laws and regulations, Communication skills, Negotiation, Conflict handling, Service and customer-oriented, Excellent good verbal and written communication, Team player, Initiative

Structured, Decision-maker, Ability to work under pressure, Assertive, empathetic, and diplomatic, with a mature approach. A confident decision maker with a big smile and a small ego.