Group Head of Merchandising

DFS; Redcar; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

DFS seeks a Group Head of Acquisitions and Estates to lead estate management across its portfolio. The successful candidate will engage with stakeholders, oversee lease renewals, and ensure effective governance in property management. This role demands strong leadership skills and commercial acumen, providing excellent opportunities for career development and a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Company Car or Car Allowance

Generous annual bonus based on business performance

30% off DFS and Sofology products

Enhanced leave for Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted gym memberships

Group Pension and Sharesave schemes

Life Assurance and Company Sick Pay

Qualifications

• Proven leadership with high personal integrity and resilience.
• Experience overseeing multiple high-value projects in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to articulate a clear vision and inspire transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead estate management activities across the DFS Group portfolio.
• Prepare business case proposals for store acquisitions and lease renewals.
• Oversee rent reviews and dilapidations negotiations ensuring timely execution.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial Acumen

Relationship Building

Conflict Management

Team Development

Job description

As Group Head of Acquisitions and Estates, you’ll lead all aspects of estate management across the DFS Group portfolio, reporting on key activity and performance, and ensuring robust governance and delivery. You’ll attend and contribute to formal review meetings, engage confidently with third parties, and foster collaborative working across internal and external stakeholders.Working closely with the Property Director and wider Group Property team, you’ll prepare and present compelling business case proposals for new store acquisitions, lease regears, and renewals for Board-level approval. You’ll also oversee rent reviews and dilapidations negotiations, coordinating professional teams and external agents to ensure commercially sound outcomes and timely execution.About DFSIt takes a whole lot of passion to be at the centre of what makes a house feel like home - and that’s just what we do at DFS. We’re the leading sofa retail specialist in the UK, helping people find a comfy seat on their great quality sofas since 1969.We're a market leader in the UK because of one thing: our people. Our people made us who we are and will drive us into our ambitious future, together. We offer incredible opportunities to get stuck into fun and meaningful work as well as learn new skills - so you can really ‘find your thing’.What you'll be doingAcquisitions–Supporting the Property Director and Brand leads as required via estate management data and business cases.Disposals -Work with Brand leads as required to dispose of surplus properties via expiry, sublet, assignment or surrender. Prepare reports for Brand/Board approval and liaise with Group Legal and external advisersLease Renewals– Monitoring, report and recommend on lease renewals and regears. Receiving and reviewing reports for brand/ Board approval as required. Liaising with Group Legal and external advisers.Rent Reviews- Instructing rent review surveyors and liaising with to progress and settle where appropriate. Completing a proportion of reviews in house. Receiving and reviewing recommendation reports for brand stakeholder/ Board approval as required leading to completion of rent review memos linking in with Group Legal.Rating –Instructing Rating Surveyors liaising with, receiving and reviewing reports and progressing to settlement. Advising brand Finance teams of revised rates payable and any refunds due. Authorising business rates invoices. Dealing with VOA Enquiries. Instructing empty rates claims as appropriate.Dilapidations –Instructing dilapidation surveys. Liaising with building surveyors and preparing business cases for approval on settling claims or instructing project managers to carry out remedial works. Overall budget coordination across brandsService Charge Management– Checking and authorising service charge invoices and ensuring they are in accordance with the terms of the particular lease where required across the Group. Challenging as appropriate and recover over-payments.Insurance- Checking and authorising Landlord’s invoices on insurances where required, challenging as appropriate. Liaising with brokers on Tenant’s building insurance.Property Data Base– Ensuring through virtual team management, that all Property Data Records (Estates Tenure, Compliance Works, Service Charge, Insurance details, etc) are recorded and up to date.Supporting Property Services – to liaise with Landlords and their Agents regarding site repairs, queries, complaints, parking, store inspections, etc.The role is for you if...You have..Proven leadership with high personal integrity, resilience, and a strong work ethicAbility to articulate a clear vision, lead transformation, and inspire a sense of missionCommercial acumen and sound judgement in complex decision-makingStrong results orientation with a focus on delivery and accountabilityConfidence in managing senior stakeholders across multiple brands and functionsExcellent relationship-building skills with a collaborative, team-first mindsetSkilled in handling conflict, influencing outcomes, and navigating complex dynamicsExperience overseeing multiple high-value projects in a fast-paced environmentAbility to simplify complex challenges and drive practical, effective solutionsA people-first approach to leadership, with strengths in coaching, mentoring, and team developmentTalent for identifying and growing future leaders and building high-performing teamsDFS BenefitsCompany Car or Car AllowanceGenerous annual bonus based on business performance and objectives.Growth and Training:Learn new skills and develop your career with us.Leave:Enjoy a great holiday allowance, with the option to buy 5 extra days. Take advantage of our enhanced leave for Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental, and Adoption, plus a paid volunteering day each year.Discounts:Get 30% off DFS and Sofology products for yourself, plus discounts for friends and family - and savings at big brands like Sainsbury’s, ASOS, and IKEA.Wellbeing Perks:Access healthcare services, an Employee Assistance Programme, and discounted gym memberships.Pension and Savings:Join our Group Pension and Sharesave schemes.Life Assurance & Sick Pay: Peace of mind with Life Assurance and Company Sick Pay.DFS Group is proud to be an equal opportunities employer; celebrating diversity and committed to a culture of inclusion and belonging. We extend a warm welcome to everyone, embracing a variety of voices and perspectives. As we continue to work on building a workplace that is representative of the customers we serve and the communities we live and work in, we strongly encourage applications from members of minority and under-represented groups. Across the Group, we want to create an environment where everyone feels at home.

Contact Details: DFS
Tel: [phone]
Contact: Stacey Williams
Email:[e-mail]