Property and Development Lead

Taco Bell; Woking; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Company performance bonus

Generous pension up to 11%

Job summary

Taco Bell UK & Ireland is seeking a Property & Development Lead to drive the estate strategy across the UK & Ireland, partnering with franchisees and cross‑functional teams to deliver disciplined, profitable growth.

You will lead development and acquisition, estates and facilities management, and cross‑functional leadership to ensure restaurants are well maintained to brand standards as we scale. The role requires MRICS certification and 8+ years in multi-site retail or hospitality property.

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ post‑qualification experience in multi‑site retail, F&B or hospitality property.

Responsibilities

• Develop and acquire sites across UK&I, negotiating terms and shaping the development pipeline.
• Manage estates including leases, rent reviews, renewals and portfolio reporting to protect brand interests.
• Oversee facilities management, ensuring PM schedules and contractor performance meet standards and budget.
• Provide cross‑functional leadership with Finance, Operations, Legal, Brand and Global teams to align strategy with execution.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Site sourcing

Financial modelling

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

MRICS qualification

Tools

IRR modelling

Job description

About Taco Bell

Taco Bell was born and raised in California and has been around since 1962. We started with Crunchy Tacos on the West Coast and have grown into a global brand with over 8,200 restaurants, 350 franchise organizations and serving more than 42 million fans each week worldwide. We are the largest Mexican-inspired quick service brand (QSR) worldwide and part of Yum! Brands, the largest restaurant group in the world.

About The Job

As Property & Development Lead, you will lead the delivery of Taco Bell’s property, development and estates agenda across the UK & Ireland, supporting both our equity business and our franchise partners. This role brings together three connected workstreams (development and acquisition, estates management and facilities management) to deliver an integrated property function across the UK & Ireland.

You will identify, evaluate and progress development opportunities in line with the UK&I growth strategy, secure the right sites on appropriate commercial terms, manage the property portfolio and help ensure our restaurants are maintained to brand standard as we scale. You will operate with a high degree of independence within enterprise and Global frameworks, working closely with franchisees, agents, and cross‑functional teams to deliver disciplined, profitable growth and a well‑run estate.

The Day-to-Day

Development & Acquisition

• Deliver the UK&I development plan across equity and franchise, identifying and progressing opportunities in line with agreed growth priorities. Source, evaluate and negotiate new site opportunities across agreed target markets, through strong market knowledge, geomapping insight and regular site visits.
• Prepare sites for monthly board approvals, including IRR and P&L modelling, and consult with franchisees on site approvals as their expert advisor.
• Maintain a robust pipeline by tracking upcoming developments and future opportunities, and coordinating activities from feasibility through legal completion.

Estates Management

• Manage the property portfolio across the estate, including leases, rent reviews, renewals, break options and dilapidations, protecting brand interests and controlling occupancy cost.
• Maintain accurate estate and lease data and reporting, giving leadership clear visibility of portfolio risk, liabilities and opportunities.
• Provide recommendations on estate optimisation opportunities, including relocations, disposals and lease events.

Facilities Management

• Own facilities and maintenance management across the estate, ensuring PPM compliance and that scheduled work is completed on time, to standard and within budget.
• Manage FM providers and contractors to clear service levels, tracking R&M spend, contractor performance and resolving recurring issues at root cause.
• Drive simpler, standardised maintenance processes and accurate asset data so restaurants are consistently maintained to brand standard.

Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Partner with Finance, Operations, Legal, Brand, People and Global teams to align growth, estates and facilities with commercial and operational standards.
• Provide functional leadership to the property capability, including coaching, setting best practice and managing a small or matrixed team.
• Prepare clear, data‑driven updates for leadership and franchise forums, giving visibility on pipeline, portfolio and estate performance, and where decisions are needed.

Is This You?

• 8+ years’ post‑qualification experience in multi‑site retail, F&B or hospitality property, ideally within a franchised or investor‑led environment.
• MRICS qualification preferred.
• Proven track record of acquiring new sites across in‑line, drive‑thru and roadside formats, including negotiating favourable terms.
• Solid estates and lease management experience, including rent reviews, renewals, dilapidations and portfolio reporting.
• Working knowledge of facilities and maintenance management, including PPM compliance and managing FM providers to service levels and budget.
• Strong commercial and financial judgement, comfortable with site economics, IRR and P&L modelling to support investment decisions.
• Confident influencing and challenging franchise partners and senior stakeholders with credibility, without relying on direct authority.
• Able to influence stakeholders, share property expertise and build strong collaborative relationships across cross‑functional teams; highly organised and able to balance acquisition, estates and facilities priorities across multiple markets and timelines.
• Willingness to travel regularly across the UK & Ireland.

Work‑Hard, Play‑Hard

• Hybrid work schedule.
• Company and performance‑related bonus.
• Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution.
• Private healthcare with the option to increase to include family cover.
• Annual holiday allowance starts at 25 days with the option to buy or sell up to 5 extra days per year. After 5 years’ service, annual holiday allowance increases to 30 days.
• Competitive parental leave and flexible return to work options.
• Wellbeing reimbursement – a fund to claim back costs throughout the year that support your well‑being such as vitamins subscriptions, language lessons, gym membership.
• Flexible and voluntary benefits including dental insurance, health screening and gym discounts.

At Taco Bell, we Live Más and invite you to do the same. Take a seat at our table. Bring your voice. Bring you, just as you are, a Cultural Rebel. We want you to be your best self!

Taco Bell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion and belonging for all dimensions of diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age or any other protected characteristic. Taco Bell is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities or special needs.