POSITION: Head of Strategy and Planning

POSTING END DATE: 05/01/2025

LOCATION: Gaydon (including travel to all JLR sites and some international travel)

SALARY: Competitive

At JLR, we're on a continual journey to reimagine the future of modern luxury, and we want you to be part of it. Through our exquisite and timeless house of brands – Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar – we're defining a new approach to sustainability and providing exceptional experiences. As a leader here, you have the opportunity to influence the way we think, providing your unique insight and vision for a better future. It's time to become a proud creator.
 
WHAT TO EXPECT
 
This role provides strategic relationship into the Business Areas/Chapters and VCS to ensure alignment of Property and Business strategy.

The role holders will lead the Property Strategy and Planning function across the department, acting as the ‘intelligent client’ to ensure that evolving business needs are well understood and supported with innovative and affordable delivery plans.

Your primary objective is to deliver strategic, cost-effective property options for JLR.

THE ROLE
 
Key Responsibilities

• Work with Chapters and VCS to develop a comprehensive property strategy for the non - manufacturing estate that supports JLRs objectives, including growth, operational efficiency and cost management
• Conduct scenario planning and forecasting to anticipate future real estate needs based upon market trends, workforce changes and JLR’s objectives
•  Ensure the property strategy is aligned with JLR’s broader initiatives (e.g., sustainability, remote work, digital transformation, offshoring)
• Lead the development of options appraisals and feasibility studies to maximise long term value and lead projects through to and including approval of business case
• Ensure high levels of stakeholder engagement and management through collaborative working and clear communication across all areas of JLR
• Implement a Business Partnering approach across the Chapters and VCS
• Lead initiatives to consolidate, expand, or divest properties as needed
• Undertake any other work as directed by their line manager in connection with their job as may be requested from time to time

Key Performance Indicators

• Occupancy cost/employee/area
• Space utilisation
• Vacancy Rate
• Lease Expiry Management
• ROI
• Lease versus buy outcomes
• Agility of portfolio

Key Interactions

• All Business Areas
• Sustainability Chapter
• Strategy
• Information, Digital, Technology (IDT)
• Finance Business Partner

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Hard Skills

• BS/BA degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent work experience) required
• Significant experience of delivering a seamless integration of remote and in-person work through strategic planning
• Extensive experience in corporate real estate, real estate strategy, portfolio management and financial planning with experience at a leadership or strategic role
• Proven experience in developing large scale real estate strategies for a multi-site portfolio
• Demonstrated ability to lead corporate wide, global initiatives
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to build strong cross-functional relationships, gain consensus among various teams, and effectively drive initiatives to
• completion
• Global Experience; experience managing global or multi regional portfolios and understanding international real estate markets and regulations
• Stakeholder Management; strong communication and relationship building skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and influence senior leadership
• Budgeting and Financial Acumen; understanding of financial modelling, whole life costing, cost analysis and budgeting as it relates to real estate
• Sustainability practices; familiarity with implementing green initiatives and sustainable practices in the workplace

Soft Skills

• Ability to work independently and proactively, taking full ownership and responsibility for own work; fully invested in achieving a successful result
• Leadership and Team Management; strong ability to lead cross-functional teams, delegate tasks and inspire collaboration
• Strategic Thinking; capability to align workplace experience initiatives with broader organisational goals and culture
• Customer centric mindset: Treating employees as internal customers, ensuring their workplace is personalised and positive
• Excellent presentation skills

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
 

Hard Skills

• Success in managing complex real estate transactions, portfolio optimisation and financial modelling
• Data Analysis; proficiency ion analysing data related to employee engagement, space utilisation or workplace performance to inform decisions
• Change Management; ability to lead and manage change
• Risk management; expertise in identifying, evaluating, and mitigating risk related to workplace operations, such as business continuity planning or disaster recovery strategies

Soft Skills

• Adaptability; ability to respond quickly to changing needs, whether due to growth, remote working trends, or evolving employee expectations
• Cultural sensitivity and Inclusion; Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in all workplace initiatives

Personal Profile

Essential

• An individual with a customer first mindset who is easy to do business with and makes people feel special, driven to deliver experiences that are personalised, transparent and dependable
• Someone who supports team unity, who actively develops and empowers other team members
• Someone with integrity & empathy who holds the customer experience above all else, even when it is challenged
• Someone who embraces a growth mindset; resilient and enthusiastic who responds
• constructively to new ideas and inputs
• Someone who understands their impact, who can work independently, is motivated by results, demonstrates tenacity, drive and perseverance with the ability to deliver solutions in a complex, highly demanding environment
• An individual, who works independently, is results driven, demonstrating tenacity, drive and perseverance with the ability to deliver operational plans in a complex, highly demanding environment
• An individual with the capability to combine a short term, pragmatic focus with medium term planning
• A resilient and enthusiastic who responds constructively to new ideas and inputs
• A good communicator with the ability to communicate complex ideas
• An effective team player, actively develops and supports team members

Desirable

• An individual with the ability to challenge existing thinking in a positive way whilst building credibility and trust through experience and personal style
• Someone who understands what our customers love; they are passionate about all things workplace

Creating Modern Luxury requires a modern approach to work. At JLR, hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement providing employees flexibility around how, when and where they work. Some roles require more on-site work, but details of this can be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview stage.

We work hard to nurture a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all. We understand candidates may require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. Please discuss these with your recruiter so we can accommodate your needs.

JLR is committed to equal opportunity for all.

Please be aware that we may close this vacancy for applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of interest. We strongly advise you to submit your application as early as possible.