j o i n u s a s a p r o p e r t y d i r e c t o r

hybrid 3x a week | london📍 | competitive salary + car allowance + 30% bonus

at wagamama, food is life 🥢 and we’re here to make every bite count. with over 165 restaurants across the UK (and growing fast) we’ve been dishing up vibrant, fresh asian inspired flavours since ‘92. it’s all about good food, good vibes, and good company 🍜🔥

were looking for a property director to cover our north region + to join us🌱

ready to dive in and stir things up?

purpose |

this is a high-profile, business-critical leadership role accountable for shaping and delivering the property strategy across the UK and Ireland restaurant estate

the role holder will enable sustainable business growth by deploying capital effectively across new openings and refurbishment programmes, while providing high-quality property services that support safe, efficient, and resilient restaurant and support-centre operations

success requires exceptional commercial judgement, collaborative leadership and stakeholder management, combined with a disciplined, results-driven approach to execution

what you'll be doing |

new restaurant acquisition + openings

own and continually evolve the UK and Ireland acquisition strategy, delivering a high-quality pipeline of new restaurant openings in line with the business plan and agreed investment returns

• partner with the customer insight team and specialist advisers to maintain a data-led UK and Ireland expansion map, using predictive modelling to identify attractive, high-quality locations.
• establish clear governance, decision gates and reporting to maintain quality and pace, manage pipeline risk, and ensure robust legal and financial control.
• provide expert property input into new-format trials and rollout plans, ensuring proposals are commercially viable and operationally deliverable.

asset management + core estate investment

• lead all core-estate lease events, balancing strategic, operational, and commercial priorities
• own the property budgeting process across fixed property costs, capital investment, repairs, and maintenance, with clear forecasting and cost control.
• lead the annual estate review, defining asset strategies and prioritising capital across expansion, refurbishment, and maintenance.
• lead asset management for the non-core restaurant estate and advise on Group-wide property matters.

construction + design

• lead the project and design teams responsible for annual capital expenditure of £15–20 million across projects ranging from £50,000 to £1.5 million
• embed sustainable design and construction standards across new openings and core-estate refurbishments, aligned with the Protecting the Future strategy
• shape the evolution of restaurant design collaboratively with Operations, Marketing and Customer Experience, improving both appearance and functionality.
• provide high-quality design and construction support to franchise and joint-venture markets in partnership with the international development team.

repairs + maintenance

• ensure the UK and Ireland estate receives a reliable, cost-effective repairs and maintenance service that meets statutory requirements and continually improves performance against agreed service levels.
• own senior relationships with Bellrock and other strategic suppliers, working with the Head of Maintenance to align delivery with the company plan and performance expectations.
• control annual expenditure of approximately £15 million across reactive maintenance, planned works and asset replacement
• lead Group-wide property sustainability initiatives, including intelligent energy-management systems and operational behaviour-change programmes.

what we are looking for |

• established property leader with extensive experience across property, construction and facilities in a large, multi-site hospitality or retail business
• strategic and commercially astute, with the attention to detail and judgement required to make complex decisions.
• calm and focused under pressure, translating strategy into clear plans and disciplined execution.
• a confident negotiator with a pragmatic, results-driven mindset, and strong financial acumen

what’s in it for you |

• hybrid working (3x a week in hq the rest at home)
• 30% bonus
• car allowance
• come as you are culture, with modern offices, fresh fruit and soft drinks
• £200 monthly wagamama food allowance — enjoy all your favourite dishes on us!
• private healthcare cover
• 6% pension contribution
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• + further discounts across retail, hospitality & leisure — perks that make life sweeter
• supporting you every step of the way! family-friendly pay: 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay for expectant or adopting parents

nothing brings people together like great food. no matter where you’re from or who you are, you’ve got a seat at our table | because food is the ultimate connector, and here everyone belong