The company
At Fora, we’re fueled by a desire to enhance the way people work. We’re here for the progressives, the forward thinkers, the status quo-challengers, the creators and the innovators. With signature hospitality, a like-minded community of members and a re-energising wellness experience, Fora takes the grind out of daily work-life, so members can focus on what’s important – working productively, healthily and happily.
Our journey began over 20 years ago, when we opened our first location on London’s City Road. Since then, our collection has grown to over 60 distinctive workspaces across London, the UK and Germany, totaling 3.2 million sq ft of real estate. And in the last two decades we’ve welcomed nearly 30,000 members through our doors and boast market-leading retention rates.
As a trusted workspace provider for teams of all sizes, from established brands to new ventures, our uniquely designed, flexible office spaces come with a range of exceptional on-site amenities and a dedicated Member Experience team to take care of all the day-to-day details. Ocado, The British Fashion Council, and Pangaia are just some of the businesses who call a Fora workspace home.
Fora is part of The Office Group, backed by Blackstone and Brockton Capital. We have ambitious plans to expand our collection of workspaces in the future, pioneering industry change through our conscious design and construction practices, and creating workspaces that empower our members to work in their own unique way.
The Role
Design & Development is at the epicenter of the operational business in so far as we interact with more other internal Departments than any other team let alone external suppliers. We produce beautiful spaces, fit for operation, and ready for adaption over the lifecycle of the asset. Achieving this whilst setting a collaborative and positive tone is a big contributor to the pride, morale and effectiveness of the business as a whole and ultimately therefore to the satisfaction of our customers which is everyone’s yardstick of success. The Head of Development leads the Development function within the broader Real Estate department, with accountability for the delivery of new buildings and major refurbishments of the exisiting portfolio. Equally you will have oversight of capital spend across the portfolio throught the management of the capital management function. You will lead the Development team and have accountability for quality, time and cost outputs for projects once defined. As importantly, you will be accountable for achieving internal stakeholder consensus around project definition and external / legal permissions as required to ensure the real estate meets the operational needs of the business, both internally (Sales, Operations, Tech etc.) and most importantly externally for our customers. In this role you will work closely with the Design director to evolve the core product offering with costs and revenue in mind. This role must balance the needs of the customer with the capital spend required to deliver a high performing Yield on Cost and ROI.
You will also work closely on new freehold / leasehold acquisitions and landlord partnerships to advise on commercial terms (e.g. DMA’s) and time, cost and quality inputs as they affect the financial modelling of the business case. You will be responsible for technical due diligence on all acquisitions.
Key Responsibilities
* Acquisitions' support to the Investment Director and other members of the Real Estate team.
* Assisting with feasibility assessments for the pre-acquisition pipeline; providing development input to help determine the viability of potential new sites (cost, time and programme).
* Assisting with the negotiation of commercial agreements .
* Technical due diligence for acquisition.
* Development Management - working both personally and through others under your management to deliver development projects from initial concept options through to operational completion.
* Project Planning • Design development, including weighing cost against time and quality to determine value.
* Financial and Programme controls, including change control.
* External consultant management.
* Main Contractor and direct supplier management and delivery and operational handover.
* Statutory processes and approvals Management of the Development Pipeline Programme .
* Managing the overall performance of multiple concurrent projects to ensure compliance with business plans .
* Reporting to Line Manager, Leadership Team and shareholders on performance against plan and predicted outturn positions on time, cost and quality Strategic leadership.
* Work closely with the Design Director & peers across the business to balance the product proposed to the business case underwritten.
* Constantly push to evolve our product offering through innovation and creativity. We want to lead the industry with our workspace offer.
* Contribute with the leadership of the real estate function and peers across the business in the formulation of annual corporate strategic priorities and goals Team management.
* Deliver clear leadership behaviours, people management and mentoring. Set the standard for what good looks like in ways of working, professionalism and standards.
* Set the annual goals, KPIs and personal development plans for the Development team
Requirements
An Understanding of the commercial property market is preferred along with experience of successful project/development management. Candidates from various sectors are welcome, including those from a consultancy or contractor background with valuable transferable skills.
* Commercial workspace development and project management including Shell & Core, Cat A and Cat B fit out.
* Concurrent multi-project direction.
* Board level reporting.
* People management and development.
* Strategic direction.
* Appreciation of cost/quality/speed assessments of ‘value’ to suit multiple scenarios .
* Customer understanding and satisfaction.
* Professionally qualified ideally but not essentially (e.g. MRICS, MCIOB etc.)
Benefits
At The Office Group, we know that work isn’t just about working. We offer all of our employers a fantastic range of benefits, including;
* Flexible working hours
* Hybrid working
* 28 days annual leave
* 2 weeks work from anywhere
* Annual leave purchase scheme
* Healthshield
* LinkedIn learning
* Study support
* 5% Pension scheme
* Life Assurance
* Discounted Gym membership
* Season Ticket Loan
* Cycle to Work Scheme
* 25% Discount at The Office Group Cafes
* Summer and EOY events
* Discounted event spaces