Senior Acquisitions Surveyor – Greater London

Job Summary: Senior Acquisitions Surveyor – Greater London

McDonald’s UK is looking for an experienced and well-connected Senior Acquisitions Surveyor to join their South Team. This is a high-stakes, “sharp-end” property role focused on expanding the Golden Arches across the competitive Greater London landscape. You will be responsible for the entire acquisition lifecycle—from unearthing off-market opportunities through your agent network to defending business cases in front of the executive board. If you have “dirt-under-the-nails” experience in London retail or restaurant acquisitions and a passion for strategic growth, this is a chance to work for the UK’s most iconic quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand.

Requirements and Skills

• Proven Track Record: Essential experience in delivering new store acquisitions specifically within Greater London (in-house or agency/broker side).

• London Network: An active, “ready-to-use” network of London-based agents, developers, and local authorities.

• Technical Breadth: Strong knowledge of landlord & tenant law, planning regulations, property/contract law, and construction procurement.

• Negotiation Skills: Ability to secure beneficial terms in one of the world’s most expensive and aggressive property markets.

• Strategic Mindset: Able to appraise sites not just for their location, but for their long-term financial and operational viability.

• Collaborative Spirit: A team player who can work across Construction, Finance, and Legal departments to move a site from “found” to “open.”

Role Overview

As a Senior Acquisitions Surveyor, you are the engine of McDonald’s physical growth in London. You aren’t just looking for available space; you are identifying innovative and adaptable solutions that fit the unique needs of London communities. You will lead the end-to-end process: finding the site, negotiating the deal, overseeing the planning application, and managing the contractual handover to project managers. In a city where space is at a premium, your resilience and agility will be key to outmaneuvering competitors and securing the best corners in the capital.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Acquisitions: Manage the full end-to-end acquisition process for new restaurants across Greater London.

• Site Appraisal: Identify and evaluate potential sites, preparing robust business cases for executive approval.

• Stakeholder Management: Build and leverage relationships with external partners (developers, councils) to uncover “off-market” opportunities.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Construction and Ops to ensure sites are technically feasible and operationally sound.

• Planning & Legal: Oversee planning applications and lead complex contractual negotiations.

• Market Intelligence: Monitor competitor moves and apply market insights to stay ahead of the curve.

Salary and Premium Benefits

McDonald’s offers a highly competitive “Total Reward” package:

• Compensation: Competitive base salary + performance-related bonus.

• Mobility: Company car or generous cash allowance.

• Health: Private medical insurance.

• Lifestyle: Hybrid working flexibility, plus free lunch and gym access when working from the office.

• Growth: Access to industry-leading training and long-term career development within a global brand.

Company Culture: The “Family” Value

Peer Note: McDonald’s culture is built on the “Three-Legged Stool” (Company, Franchisees, and Suppliers). As an Acquisitions Surveyor, you are the bridge between these groups. The brand places a massive emphasis on Inclusion and Community; they don’t just want a site that makes money, they want a site that acts as a “good neighbor” in the London borough it enters.