Director of Real Estate

About Mars Veterinary Health:

Mars Veterinary Health is a global division within Mars Petcare, with the sole objective of advancing the veterinary profession for the health and wellbeing of people, pets and planet. Through our network of 3,000 veterinary clinics worldwide, nearly 70,000 passionate, pet-loving Associates are committed to helping us achieve our Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.

Mars Veterinary Health touches the lives of more pets in more places than any other veterinary organization. We are dedicated to fulfilling our Purpose and building a brighter, stronger future for the veterinary profession.

Mars Veterinary Health (MVH) Europe and Rapid Growth Markets (RGM):

Mars Veterinary Health (MVH) Europe is a family of leading veterinary care providers committed to creating a better world for pets. Our network includes trusted brands such as AniCura and Linnaeus, operating over 500 animal hospitals and clinics across 17 European countries. Together, our teams deliver high-quality, modern veterinary care for companion animals, ensuring peace of mind for pet owners through excellent access and patient safety.

AniCura, our largest brand in Europe, provides care to over three million patients each year through 12,500 dedicated professionals. Linnaeus, operating primarily in the UK and Ireland, is home to over 6,000 Associates empowered to deliver exceptional care through a culture of collaboration, clinical excellence, and continuous development.

At MVH Europe, we prioritize a culture of accountability, inclusion, and wellbeing. We believe our purpose — to make A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS — starts with building a better world for our people. We support our teams through strong governance, comprehensive wellbeing programs, and a shared passion for delivering exceptional outcomes in veterinary care.

This role will also support selected high-growth RGM markets, including Japan, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Although these markets are currently smaller in scale, they represent key strategic growth areas for Mars Veterinary Health. The role will provide centralized REFM support to ensure consistent governance, supplier management, Health & Safety alignment, and operational standards across all locations as the network continues to expand.

Role Overview:

The Director of Real Estate provides strategic leadership for the Real Estate function across Mars Veterinary Health Europe. This role is responsible for setting strategic direction, defining priorities, and aligning the Real Estate team with broader organizational objectives.

The role works closely with Construction, Facilities Maintenance, Health & Safety, Network & Investment Planning, and Finance teams to ensure seamless operations, effective collaboration, and efficient allocation of resources.

With a network of more than 800 clinics, this role is pivotal to MVH Global in ensuring proactive management of the clinic estate portfolio, enabling scalable growth, improving return on investment on expansion capital, and delivering operational synergies through standardized processes and procurement efficiencies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with senior leaders to ensure the real estate portfolio aligns with MVHE and Mars overall strategic priorities across site selection, acquisitions, and disposals.

• Lead, manage, and develop the Estates Management team, CRE programs, database systems, and related projects while partnering closely with business stakeholders to support local and corporate business initiatives.

• Develop and implement a robust asset management strategy for the existing estate, including detailed and accessible plans to support ongoing business decisions.

• Build and manage relationships with external agencies, vendors, consultants, and specialists to support transactions, capital projects, lease optimization, and strategic initiatives across key markets.

• Develop and strengthen the service proposition within the Real Estate team, ensuring consistent delivery, accountability, and alignment across the function.

• Own and lead acquisition decisions, including due diligence, securing property terms, negotiations, and commercial agreements.

• Manage and develop budgets while working closely with Finance and Transformation teams on cost initiatives, reporting, and optimization activities.

• Hold full budget responsibility relating to property, leases, overheads, insurance, and associated real estate fees.

• Oversee the execution of real estate transactions including leasing, acquisitions, purchases, and disposals through the Estates Management team using strong negotiation, financial analysis, and asset management capabilities.

• Establish, document, and report real estate standards, policies, procedures, metrics, governance frameworks, and controls.

• Lead the growth and expansion of the Primary Care and Referral estate in key high-demand locations, including identification of opportunities, negotiations, business case development, planning applications, and handover to the Construction team.

• Define and monitor key KPIs to measure governance, operational efficiency, control effectiveness, and return on investment across the real estate portfolio.

• Build and maintain strong industry networks across key markets to support long-term strategic business goals.

• Resource and develop an acquisition team focused on building a pipeline of greenfield site opportunities in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to support business expansion objectives.

Summary of the Role:

• Job Title: Director of Real Estate

• Department: Real Estate and Facilities Management (REFM)

• Team Direct Reports:12

• Reports To: Senior Director, REFM

• Location: Netherlands preferred / Madrid / Munich

• Contract: Full-time

• Languages: Fluency in English (additional European languages are a plus)

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum 10+ years of experience in Real Estate leadership roles within complex, multi-site organizations.

• MRICS qualification or European equivalent preferred.

• Demonstrated experience managing large property portfolios across multiple countries.

• Retail industry experience is considered an advantage.

• Proven ability to build strategic visions and successfully execute large-scale real estate strategies.

• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities across internal and external networks.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence at all levels, including executive leadership.

• Strong commercial acumen and financial awareness.

• Skilled negotiator with a results-driven and target-oriented mindset.

• Ability and willingness to travel internationally.

Key Competencies:

• Organizational Agility: Effectively navigates complex international matrix organizations and aligns stakeholders across multiple functions and countries.

• Perspective: Applies strategic and long-term thinking to balance operational, financial, and growth priorities.

• Business Acumen: Demonstrates strong commercial awareness and understands the business impact of real estate investment and portfolio decisions.

• Managing Vision & Purpose: Creates and communicates a compelling real estate strategy that drives alignment, accountability, and sustainable growth.

Key Technical Skills:

• Working knowledge of Real Estate platforms such as MRI ProLease and Salesforce.

• Experience with mapping and geodemographic software platforms such as GIS.

• MRICS qualification or 10+ years of relevant industry experience.

Our offer:

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to shape the future of veterinary care, together.

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package

• A stimulating work environment with good opportunities for personal development

• Freedom to take responsibility and the opportunity to influence

• Flexible working hours, hybrid working, international, digital work environment

• Learning and development opportunities

• The opportunity to cuddle our beloved 4-legged friends in our offices.

• We are always open for a conversation to discuss your individual needs.

If this sounds like you:

Please contact Lekya Kanamarlapudi, Group Corporate Recruiter, who is happy to tell you more about this opportunity and the recruitment process. Or apply by submitting your resume through clicking the apply button below.

AniCura is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds.