Purpose of the Role Lakeside Shopping Centre is more than just a place to shop — it's an iconic retail and leisure destination at the heart of Essex. With millions of visitors each year and a dynamic mix of high-street brands, restaurants, and entertainment, Lakeside is a key player in the UK retail scene. Now, we're looking for an energetic and visionary Centre Director to lead it into its next chapter. Are you ready to lead with passion and drive? As the Centre Director, you will be the heartbeat of our site, inspiring and motivating everyone around you. Your exceptional leadership skills and proven track record in delivering top-notch service will set the standard for excellence. You'll be the go-to person for the centre’s owners, asset managers, retailers, and all key stakeholders, ensuring the highest standards of management. Key Responsibilities Financial Performance Strategic Business Planning: Shape and implement the centre’s Business Plan, ensuring team alignment with strategic objectives. Performance : Maximise turnovers by driving footfall and operational innovation and excellence. Marketing Collaboration: Partner with the Marketing Manager to develop and execute strategies that boost retail sales and footfall. Asset Management: Optimize the management of void units to enhance income and customer experience, while minimizing costs. Service Charge Budgeting: Oversee the annual service charge budget, ensuring efficient expenditure and value for money. Staff Training and Development Empower Growth: Foster a culture of continuous learning and development for all Centre management staff. Tailored Development Plans: Conduct Training Needs Analysis and implement training and development opportunities. Constructive Appraisals: Provide valuable feedback and recognise achievements through regular appraisals. Inspirational Mentorship: Guide staff towards their full potential with effective mentorship. Active Participation: Engage in strategic discussions and decisions at all Management Meetings. Specific Management Responsibilities Team Structure Optimisation: Ensure the team structure aligns with business objectives. Empowering Leadership: Inspire and empower your team to achieve their goals. Effective Line Management: Oversee key team members, manage appraisals, and set targets. Performance Accountability: Drive performance against business plan targets. HR Collaboration: Partner with HR for disciplinary actions, training, and recruitment. Cross-Portfolio Collaboration: Share ideas and policies to enhance centre performance. Overview Brand Ambassador: Build and promote the Centre Brand, ensuring consistency and acting as an ambassador to all internal and external stakeholders. Site Team Effective Communication: Keep your team informed about business strategy, developments, and policy changes. Occupiers Brand Engagement: Create meaningful and strategic relationships with key retail and leisure brands, understand your occupiers and meet their operational needs to help improve profitability. Chair forums and meetings, maintain relationships, and act on feedback. Occupier Compliance: Oversee occupier compliance and support leasing efforts. Adjacent Stakeholders Council Relations: Strengthen relationships with council representatives and other key stakeholders. Active Participation: Engage in relevant associations and bodies. Stakeholder Partnerships: Develop partnerships to maximize business opportunities. Marketing Consumers (Shoppers) Customer Satisfaction: Exceed customer expectations and boost NPS scores. PR Leadership: Act as the main PR spokesperson and promote positive stories. Media Promotional Media Releases: Oversee local media releases and ensure proper approvals for broader statements. Operations Operational Excellence: Ensure top standards of efficiency and customer care. Policy Review: Regularly review operational policies with the Operations Manager. Service Contract Management: Manage service contracts and ensure KPIs are met. Maintenance Planning: Prepare and review maintenance programmes. Senior Management Representation: Participate in the Senior Management on-call and duty rota. Service Provider Oversight: Ensure providers support the customer experience. Compliance Health and Safety: Ensure adherence to all policies and statutory compliance, promoting a safe environment. ESG: Drive integrated working and maintain a culture of responsibility. Skills, Knowledge and Experience Minimum: Senior Commercial Management experience Excellent Financial Management Skills Strong leadership skills Previous PR and Marketing exposure at a strategic level Excellent communicator at all levels Excellent presentation skills Influential Self-motivated Proficient decision maker Ability to network Budgetary Management Strong operational H&S knowledge (preferably holding a qualification IoSH Managing Safely or equivalent). Desirable: Previous Retail or Leisure industry experience Experience of frontline/non frontline SIA Licenses Good knowledge of corporate responsibility and environmental issues. Achievement of other professional qualifications / awards relevant to the role Good knowledge of S.I.A. requirements and other security matters Local knowledge P & L Experience Working Hours - Full Time Please see our Benefits Bookle