Job Title: New Sites Manager
Reports to: Head of New Sites
Based: Remote with 1 day a week in our Burntwood, Staffordshire Head office
Salary: Up to £65,000 DOE with company car
About the role
The New Sites Manager will be a dynamic and strategic leader responsible for driving the successful opening of new locations. This role is pivotal in executing our growth strategy, ensuring that each new site is launched efficiently, aligns with our brand standards, and is positioned for long-term success.
You will play an integral part in growing the business by identifying, appraising, and delivering high-quality new nursery sites across the UK. You will help to build a strong pipeline of new openings, which will include a combination of conversions and refurbishments of existing buildings, new purpose-built centres, and greenfield developments.
About Busy Bees
Busy Bees is a world leading international early years business which has experienced a period of rapid expansion over the last ten years in both the UK and overseas. Worldwide, the Group has over 1,000 centres across nine countries and a global turnover of approx. £1 billion. The Group’s ambition is to become the largest global early education provider through continuation of its buy and build strategy.
About the Benefits
- Sector leading Family Leave.
- Performance bonus
- Big Benefits. Dedicated 24/7 employee benefits platform Hive (Reward Gateway)
- with retail, cinema, and travel discounts
- 35% Childcare discount.
- 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays and an extra day off for your birthday every year
- Further Training and development.
Responsibilities
- Site Selection and Development – Lead the identification and evaluation of potential new sites, carrying out detailed market research and feasibility studies to assess viability and long-term potential. Work in close partnership with operational teams, property agents, solicitors, planning advisors, and project management support to secure and progress high-quality opportunities.
- Project Management – Take ownership of the full end-to-end delivery of new site openings, from initial concept through to launch. This includes detailed project planning, budgeting, timeline management, and resource coordination. Ensure every project is delivered on time, within scope, and within budget, while maintaining the highest standards of execution.
- Stakeholder Collaboration – Collaborate closely with key internal stakeholders across marketing, operations, finance, and HR to ensure all elements of new site delivery are fully aligned.
- Regulatory Compliance – Ensure all new sites fully comply with relevant local regulations and statutory requirements.
- Quality Assurance – Maintain consistently high standards across all new sites, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and customer expectations. Carry out regular site inspections and readiness assessments to confirm operational excellence prior to launch.
- Performance Monitoring – Develop and implement clear key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of each new site opening. Use data-driven insights to evaluate performance, identify areas for improvement, and support continuous enhancement of the opening process.
- Budget Management – Take responsibility for managing development budgets across all new site projects, ensuring efficient and cost-effective use of resources. Monitor and report on financial performance, proactively identifying opportunities for cost optimisation and improved return on investment.
- Strategic Planning – Contribute to the ongoing development of the company’s growth strategy by providing informed insight and recommendations.
About you
- A strong track record as an experienced and well-connected property professional with an established network across the property and development sector.
- Hands-on experience in site acquisition and development, ideally within the nursery, healthcare, licensed leisure, retail, or other multi-site operational environments.
- RICS qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience.
- Proven experience delivering projects from site identification through appraisal, acquisition, planning, development, and successful operational opening.
- A thorough understanding of site appraisals, planning processes, development agreements, Board approval papers, and project governance.
- Excellent commercial acumen, with the ability to evaluate opportunities, manage risk, and balance competing priorities.
- A demonstrable track record of delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget while meeting business objectives.
- Outstanding organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and consistently deliver against demanding deadlines.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships internally and externally
- A collaborative, customer-focused approach
Be part of a team that’s driving growth with purpose, creating high-quality learning environments that give every child the best start in life.
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