BRENT CROSS SOUTH

'PROJECT PLAY' LEAD PERSON

CANDIDATE BRIEF

OVERVIEW

We are seeking an experienced, highly motivated and entrepreneurial Individual to lead our sport, play and leisure ambitions (known as Project Play) at Brent Cross South.

The ambition is to create a world class destination for people from all walks of life to participate in sport and play; one that will transform current perceptions of the Brent Cross area and provide unrivalled amenity for both local people and visitors.

Brent Cross South will be a new town centre for north London. When complete, it will provide 6,700 new homes, workspace for over 25,000 people and pedestrian-friendly streets and public spaces with local shops and restaurants that will complement the offer at the adjacent Brent Cross Shopping Centre. The new (and existing) community will be supported by first-class public transport infrastructure, including a new Thameslink station that will open in mid-2022, a new and improved network of walking and cycle routes and a series of new parks, squares and other amenities. The project will be delivered as a joint venture

between Argent Related and Barnet Council. Construction works are scheduled to commence in 2020.

Central to the development is the opportunity to develop outdoor play and sport facilities on an existing 50 acre playing field along with new and complementary indoor sports facilities in an adjacent building(s). This opportunity will allow us to place health & wellbeing at the heart of everything we do and will have positive impacts on all aspects of the development, including public space design, building design and the amenity provision that will attract residents and commercial tenants alike. Significant engagement with potential ‘Project Play’ partners has already been undertaken and several high profile sporting institutions and organisations have demonstrated interest in being involved.

Parks and residential buildings already approved

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The role of the successful candidate will be to carry on the good work to date and to articulate, lead and deliver the long term ambitions for Project Play at Brent Cross South. In particular, they will have the following responsibilities:

• Articulate and positively promote the vision for ‘Project Play’ as a leader and committed ambassador, both inside and outside the Argent Related team.

• Working with external consultants as necessary, develop and obtain the necessary approvals for a credible and deliverable business plan, including a phasing plan and a sustainable financial operational plan for the facilities.

• Working with other Argent Related team members and external consultants as required, develop a credible investment proposal and secure any necessary third party funding/debt required to deliver the business plan.

• Develop and nurture positive relations and opportunities with local stakeholders including the local council, councillors, community groups, businesses, sporting clubs, etc.

• Develop and secure partnerships with commercial and institutional organisations required to deliver the vision and the business plan. This will include (but may not be limited to) both operational (user) and sponsorship partners.

• Working with other members of the AR development team and external consultants as required, formulate a brief / designs and obtain the necessary approvals for the detail proposals for both the internal and external play and sports facilities.

• Working with the wider Argent Related project management/delivery group, ensure that a team is in place to deliver all facilities on time, on budget and to the highest standards of quality.

• Investigate the various options and alternatives to operate the ‘Project Play’ facilities and, based upon the selected option, secure and deliver operator/management contracts in line with the business plan objectives.

• Ensure the smooth, phased handover of the facilities from the delivery teams to the operator and continue to lead and support both the operator and the user partners.

• Over time, build, lead and motivate the internal Argent Related team that will deliver Project Play.

Activities already taking place at Brent Cross South

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

In addition, we would expect the successful candidate to display at least some of the following experience, skills and personal attributes:

• A commercially minded, financially astute and entrepreneurial individual with previous experience in the sport, leisure and/or hospitality sector. Ideally with a good appreciation of key operational issues and requirements in these fields.

• A driven self-starter who is willing and able to build and deliver (with appropriate support) a credible business plan for Project Play in the context of the wider BXS development.

• A person who has a genuine interest in and passion for the world of sport, play, leisure and wellness and an appreciation of the health and social benefits that it can deliver.

• Experience of working with public sector sport and physical activity partners, obtaining grant funding and ‘speaking the language’ of potential NGB and sport partners.

• A good organiser and clear thinker who can navigate a complex project with numerous options and potential outcomes and challenging issues in terms of town planning and local communities.

• A good networker and communicator who can successfully negotiate with multiple stakeholders, potentially with differing individual objectives.

• Ability to successfully manage up, down and sideways within the internal Argent Related team.

• Comfortable writing and presenting potentially complex board papers and Investment Memoranda (with support from analysts and others as required) and engaging with senior level executives both in London and NYC to debate such matters.

• The ability to build a high performing team over time and to provide leadership and motivation.

• The ability to understand how high quality building and public realm design can enhance the ‘Project Play’ proposition.

• A good general understanding of buildings and the built environment.

HOW TO APPLY

SRI is a boutique global executive search and consulting firm focused on media, content, technology and sport.

We work as one partner-led team with staff based in key global markets across eleven offices on four continents.

We offer dedicated and specific sector, function and region expertise. Our services include executive search, board assessment, succession planning, salary benchmarking, advising clients on their internal and external hiring strategy, new market entry and multi-vacancy projects.

CHRISTINE SCOTTcscott@macdonaldandcompany.com020 7318 5872

Macdonald & Company are the leading professional recruitment consultancy for the real estate and built environment sectors.

Established in 1994 and headquartered in the UK, we apply local knowledge with true global connection through our offices in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Our specialist teams act for every class of organisation owning, occupying, financing or advising on property, construction and engineering – developers, investors, institutions, funds, banks, consultancies and contractors. We are the preferred recruitment partner of RICS - the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

To apply, the candidates should send the following:

• Letter of application highlighting relevant experience• Up to date curriculum vitae• Details of current remuneration

For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact:

IMOGEN SAWYERisawyer@sriexecutive.com

ALISTAIR MILNER

amilner@sriexecutive.com