Acquisitions Manager - U.S. Retail
3 days ago
New York
Organization We are working with a high-growth, consumer-facing fitness and lifestyle platform, backed by institutional capital, that has recently entered the U.S. market through a transformational acquisition. Following a comprehensive operational reset - including new systems, governance, cost structure, and brand consolidation, the business is now entering its next phase of growth: an aggressive small-box rollout across NYC, New Jersey, and adjacent East Coast markets. Opportunity To support this strategy, the group is building an in-market real estate expansion engine and is seeking an Acquisitions Lead to be a core driver of site growth. This is a front-line, hands-on role for a commercially sharp operator who thrives in the field and takes ownership of deals from sourcing through signing. The Acquisitions Lead will be responsible for sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and advancing new retail locations within an assigned regional patch. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy, working daily with brokers, landlords, and internal stakeholders to move opportunities rapidly through the pipeline. Success in this role is measured by pipeline velocity, deal quality, commercial discipline, and signed conversions. Role • Build and maintain a robust pipeline of small-box retail opportunities across NYC, NJ, Long Island, Washington DC, and the broader East Coast corridor, • Proactively manage broker relationships; set clear briefs, provide rapid feedback, and drive activity, • Analyse rents, occupancy cost ratios, landlord profiles, and competitive adjacencies, • Work with senior leadership to determine pass / pursue decisions, • Negotiate heads of terms, base rent, TI contributions, rent-free periods, and flexibility provisions, • Handover executed deals to delivery teams while remaining engaged through launch, • Support permitting, zoning, landlord works, and critical-path milestones, • Provide weekly pipeline reporting covering quality, velocity, and risks, • Contribute to cluster strategy and long-term expansion planning Candidate • 3–7 years’ experience in multi-site retail, fitness, grocery, QSR, pharmacy, or discount retail acquisitions, • Proven track record sourcing and negotiating small-box retail leases, • Experience operating in dense, competitive urban markets (NYC / NJ preferred), • Strong understanding of retail real estate economics and lease structures, • Able to assess deals quickly and make evidence-based recommendations, • Financial modelling exposure beneficial (training provided), • Field-driven, high-energy operator; comfortable spending significant time in-market, • Organised, decisive, and commercially rigorous Why this Role? This role sits at the heart of a high-growth U.S. expansion strategy. You will play a direct role in shaping the physical footprint, commercial performance, and long-term value of a rapidly scaling consumer platform. For the right candidate, this offers meaningful responsibility, visibility to senior leadership, and strong long-term upside as the business continues to grow. To apply, please follow the Linkedin application process or contact Chris Smith with a copy of your resume at