Acquistion & Development Manager

Bright Horizons UK; Northampton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare provider in the UK is seeking an Acquisition and Development Manager responsible for sourcing sites for new nursery developments. This hybrid role involves relationship management with developers and due diligence processes to ensure successful project delivery. Ideal candidates should have property acquisition experience along with strong analytical and negotiation skills. Bright Horizons offers competitive benefits and a commitment to inclusivity.

Benefits

Flexible working and holiday entitlements

Discounted childcare in nurseries

Fantastic discounts on retailers and services

Wellbeing resources for staff

Qualifications

• Experience across a commercial property portfolio, preferably in education, retail, or leisure.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Full, clean driving licence essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on target locations for new developments.
• Build relationships with external parties to develop nursery opportunities.
• Lead the due diligence process in collaboration with teams across the company.
• Negotiate lease terms and agreements.

Skills

Property/Acquisition/Development/Disposal experience

Strong PC skills

Ability to use financial models

Knowledge of L&T law

Good understanding of planning requirements

Education

Relevant degree in Property/Development

Chartered Member of MRICS

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Acquisition and Development Manager

Salary: From £40,000 per annum plus car allowance

Hours: 37.5 hours per week / Monday-Friday

Job Type: Hybrid with travel to our HO in Northampton and/or office in London

Purpose of the Role:

This key role at Bright Horizons UK is responsible for acquiring sites and buildings for new nursery developments, conversions, or fit outs, directly contributing to company growth.

The role involves proactively identifying and researching new opportunities, including business acquisitions, and building strong relationships with developers, agents, investors, and other industry contacts to maintain a robust pipeline.

The postholder leads initial reviews, due diligence, and prepares business cases for board approval, then oversees the acquisition and development process through to nursery opening. They also assess performance during the first 12 months to inform future openings.

As part of the Business Development team, the role supports the broader growth strategy, working closely with colleagues focused on acquiring existing nursery businesses and standalone settings.

What We Can Offer You

• Our benefits include but are not limited to.

• Flexible working and holiday entitlements

• Discounted childcare in one of our nurseries

• Fantastic range of discounts on high street retailers, grocery stores, cinema tickets, holidays and more

• Wide range of wellbeing resources, supporting our teams for the ups and downs of daily life

Why Bright Horizons?

We’ve been voted Great Place to Work for the last 17 consecutive years, as well as being awarded the newly created Great Place for Wellbeing and Great Place for Women 2022.

Our support functions enable our nurseries to deliver the best possible care and education to over 10,000 children across the UK. Through this support, our nurseries can deliver excellence – with 98% of our 300+ portfolio being rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.

We’re on a mission to change the future for children, families, and the people we work with, and are committed to progressive working values like flexibility, work-life balance, and wellbeing.

What You Will Be Doing

Site Research & Strategy Development

• Conduct research on target locations, including demographics, local developments and competitor analysis.

• Manage relationships with internal stakeholders and external benchmarking agencies to inform demographic analysis and overall growth strategy.

• Contribute to the development of growth strategies and identification of target locations.

Opportunity Sourcing & Relationship Management

• Build and maintain relationships with external parties such as developers, agents, and investors to develop a strong pipeline of nursery opportunities.

• Stay informed on market activity (lettings, sales, investments) and contribute to maintaining the central property database.

Due Diligence & Feasibility Assessment

• Lead the due diligence process in collaboration with Operations, Finance, Project Management, Marketing, Legal, and Facilities.

• Assess the strengths, weaknesses, and risks of each opportunity, including demographics, competition, planning status, title, development costs, and financial modelling.

• Work closely with external consultants and professionals (e.g., planning authorities, engineers, architects) throughout the project lifecycle.

Acquisition & Legal Negotiations

• Negotiate lease terms, Heads of Terms, Agreements for Lease, and Sale/Purchase contracts, liaising with the internal legal team and external solicitors.

Approvals, Development & Delivery

• Prepare and present business cases for board approval to support acquisitions or lease agreements.

• Manage the development process post-acquisition in partnership with Project Management, Operations, and Marketing to ensure timely and successful nursery openings.

Post-Opening Review & Performance Analysis

• Monitor new nursery performance during the first 12 months post-opening, resolving outstanding issues with developers or landlords.

• Work with Finance to analyse performance against budgeted FTEs and provide reporting for UK Board reviews.

Additional Tasks

• Occasionally supporting with day-to-day asset management tasks, such as, rent reviews, lease renewals, lease breaks, property disposals and dilapidations.

What We Are Looking For

• Property/Acquisition/Development/Disposal experience across a commercial property portfolio, preferably with similar uses such as education, retail, or leisure

• Strong PC skills - Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint etc

• Ability to use financial models, analyse financial performance and other data to draw out strategy

• A pragmatic, solution focussed approach using risk evaluation, outcome scenarios to determine options and solutions to problems

• Knowledgeable of L&T law, review of leases, Agreement for Leases and where appropriate to work with legal representatives to agree contracts, review titles, planning document etc to deliver successful projects and helping mitigate any risk.

• Good understanding of planning including requirements for E use etc

Qualifications

• Relevant degree, post graduate degree, and professional qualification in Property/Development (desirable)

• Evidence of continuous professional development (essential)

• Chartered Member of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) (or working towards) (desirable)

• Full, clean driving licence (essential)

Key Competencies / Personal Attributes

• Strong influencer and communicator, both written and verbal

• Commercially astute with strategic insight

• Analytical and data-driven decision-maker

• Confident using data to inform and implement strategy

• Skilled at managing priorities in a busy environment

• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills

• Collaborative team player who values cross-functional roles

• Self-motivated, deadline-driven, and accountable

• Energetic and adaptable in fast-paced settings

• Proactive with a can-do attitude and well-reasoned recommendations

• Committed to delivering high-quality customer service

Bright Horizons are committed to creating inclusive environments where everyone has a sense of belonging and has the opportunity to contribute and thrive in meaningful and impactful ways. We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS

We look forward to receiving your application!

If you experience any problems, please [e-mail] we will be happy to help.