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Permanent hiring solutions for real estate businesses
Search-led permanent recruitment across the UK and internationally.
The right permanent hire drives long-term success.
Permanent hiring carries more weight than any other recruitment decision. The person appointed shapes team culture, client relationships, and long-term performance well beyond the role they were hired to fill. Getting it right matters more than getting it done quickly.
GKR International has recruited exclusively in real estate since 2010. Every consultant who takes your brief understands the market your candidates come from, the businesses they work in, and the reasons they might consider a move. That sector knowledge shapes every stage of the search.
Whether you need a single specialist hire or a broader hiring programme, we apply the same level of attention to
brief, market, and candidate throughout.
The process:
We begin with a proper briefing: your business objectives, team structure, the specific gap this hire fills, and your view of the right profile. A shallow brief produces a shallow shortlist. We ask more questions than most and take the time to understand context as well as criteria.
We identify the candidates who are right for the role, not only those who are currently looking. Most of the people worth approaching are already employed. We reach them directly, through a network built over 15 years of exclusive property recruitment. Every approach we make on your behalf reflects your reputation as well as ours.
Every candidate we present has been interviewed by us before reaching you. We assess against the role, the business context, and the culture. Our shortlists are deliberate: you are seeing the candidates who genuinely meet the brief, not a high volume of CVs to filter through yourself.
We manage the offer process and remain in contact after the start date. Counter-offer situations are common at the senior level; we handle them as part of the process, not as an afterthought.
Whether it's planned headcount growth, replacement hiring needs, or building specialist teams, our team can assist with:
- Full market search across active and passive candidates.
- Candidate assessment against skills, experience, and cultural fit.
- Clear briefing, progress updates, and feedback throughout.
- Offer management and check-in after placement.
Contact our team. →
GKR is fantastic at taking the hassle out of recruiting. They listen to what you’re looking for and only put forward candidates who fit the profile. All candidates come well briefed on the role and with realistic expectations, which is crucial.
Berkeley Group
GKR always provides candidates who are well-briefed, polished and a good fit for Knight Frank. They provide a consistent level of service and make a great effort to ensure they have all the relevant information to deliver results within the specified time frame. Overall, I would recommend GKR for their professional and high-quality service.
Knight Frank
We have used GKR International for many years for our ongoing growth. They have been nothing short of exceptional in their understanding of our business and their attention to detail for every hire, from junior to senior level. The team has consistently delivered at all levels, and most recently with a senior and confidential hire into the business. Very pleased to be working with such a talented team
Burbeck Group
GKR has filled a number of key positions across our offices in both direct sales and lettings support roles and continues to do so. With in-depth knowledge of the property industry, they have taken the trouble to gain a full understanding of how we service the sector and the unique qualities that our staff are required to possess. As a result, GKR thoroughly screened all candidates for us and they have the highest interview-to-offer ratio of any of our retained agents.
Carter Jonas
Over the years, GKR has been an invaluable asset in providing the highest quality of candidates for potential employment roles in the property industry. The briefs have always been followed to the letter and every experience has been coordinated with the uttermost professionalism. In all, I cannot recommend GKR highly enough.
Hamptons International
Choose your delivery model:
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Retained Search
A structured, milestone-led search where an upfront portion of the fee secures dedicated resources and focused delivery. Includes psychometric assessment, candidate video introductions, and regular progress reporting. Best suited to senior, specialist, or business-critical roles.
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Exclusive Partner
GKR acts as your sole recruitment partner for a defined role or set of roles over an agreed period. An upfront portion of the fee secures priority delivery. Candidates respond more positively to exclusive briefs because they are dealing with a fully briefed partner, not multiple agencies. Produces shorter time-to-hire and higher-quality shortlists.
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RPO Partner
Multi-role recruitment process outsourcing, delivered for a monthly fee by our UK-based team. Integrates with your internal hiring process. Suitable for businesses with ongoing or volume permanent hiring requirements.
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Outsourced Solutions
High-volume and entry-level recruitment delivered by our South Africa-based team at a lower cost per hire. Dedicated to your account, with full quality oversight from the UK team. Suitable for residential, property management, and graduate-level hiring at scale.
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Contingent Search
Flexible search on a pay-on-placement basis. Suitable for roles where the timeline is less urgent and there is no
immediate business pressure to hire. Not recommended as the primary model for business-critical or senior hires.
Senior Property Manager (HNW) - Exclusive Search
- GKR was tasked with the exclusive search for a new Senior Property Manager to manage a prestigious central London Estate.
- We approached our network for recommendations and presented a shortlist of five exclusive candidates within 8 days from instruction, all of whom came with references.
- We coordinated the interview process which involved various international interviewees, and the successful candidate was onboarded 6 weeks later.
Elite Management Consultancy
PA & Project Assistant - Retained Search
- GKR was retained to recruit a PA & Project Assistant to work with the CEO of a national PRS developer.
- We advertised confidentially and utilised our long-formed network to present a shortlist of five credible individuals from varying backgrounds across the property and construction sectors, as requested.
- We subsequently organised three virtual interviews, followed by in-person meetings, and the successful applicant was agreed to start swiftly the following month.
PRS Developer
Marketing Manager - Retained Search
- GKR was retained to assist with the search for a Marketing Manager to relocate from London to Switzerland to work on luxury resorts & penthouses.
- We were given a 4-week timeline to find this individual and were tasked with meeting at least 5 appropriate candidates ourselves before presenting at a minimum of 3.
- Having coordinated interviews for all candidates, the successful candidate was flown out successfully to start before the Christmas period following their 3 months notice.
- We have subsequently placed another slightly junior hire who is relocating from Milan to join the team.
International Luxury Property Developer
Head of Asset Management: Retained
- GKR was retained to assist with the search for a new Head of Asset Management.
- We were given a 10-week timeline to onboard the new starter in line with the predecessor's departure date, whilst offering a period for handover.
- We were tasked with a direct, pre-identified headhunt and additionally sourced a shortlist of three other suitable candidates.
- Having coordinated interviews for all candidates, the successful candidate was onboarded following their 2 months’ notice.
- We have subsequently placed two others from the interview process into the team.
Global Property Consultancy
Head of Build to Rent - Exclusive Search
- GKR was instructed by the CEO to lead the search for a Head of BTR to lead a portfolio of award-winning developments.
- We worked closely with the client to assist them with the preparation of job descriptions and shared our market knowledge to ensure they competitively positioned themselves to attract the best talent.
- We then went to the market and presented our client with a shortlist of 5 candidates within one week of instruction, and coordinated three rounds of interviews.
- The successful candidate was onboarded three months later following their notice period.
Fast-growing Estate Agency
Investment Team – Exclusive Search
- GKR over the last two years has been working with one of the fastest growing BTR Investors and Developers building out their investment team (Five People).
- The client has used GKR exclusively to build out its investment which has enabled the client to reach over £1bn in development pipeline.
- All the searches have used our excellent reach though our strong name on key platforms such as LinkedIn and our Website as well head hunting.
Build to Rent Investor & Developer
Head of Acquisition – Retained Search
- GKR were retained with special mandate to secure a Head of Acquisition for a high growth private equity backed commerce business that had significant land requirement.
- Due to the nature of the business this presented a unique challenge in securing talent that would move away from tradition acquisition roles.
- We set out a process structure including personality testing with the successful candidate moving from a developer and embarking on the journey the client and GKR had laid out.
Commercial Business
Head of Sales - Exclusive Search
- GKR was asked to discreetly search for a Head of Sales for one of the most recognisable Agencies in London
- Due to the confidential nature of this search, approaches and conversations on behalf of the Client needed to be very targeted.
- Working in conjunction with the Talent Acquisition Team, GKR introduced a number of Candidates, along with internal considerations too.
- GKR successfully placed the Head of Sales, who was a long-term contact of the business, previously being a Hiring Client in their previous businesses.
International Residential Property Specialist
Business Development Manager - Exclusive Search
- GKR was exclusively instructed by Alliance Investments, to appoint a Business Development Manager for their growing London team.
- Alliance Investments is a leading property development company who offer investment opportunities throughout the UK.
- Headquartered in Manchester, Directors, Mallam Grant and Josh Steeples had the opportunity to grow a team to be based in the London office. Their first requirement was to appoint a Business Development Manager. Having struggled to find the right candidate through another recruitment agency, Alliance turned to GKR and proceeded dealings with Senior Consultant, Michael Cartmill.
- After gaining a comprehensive understanding of exactly what Alliance were seeking, we successfully placed a candidate within under three weeks of being instructed.
- Fast forward 4 months and it has proven to be a perfect match for both client and candidate as they thrive together.
Leading Property Development Company
Senior Commercial Property Manager - Exclusive & Retained Search
- GKR was retained on a search for a Senior Commercial Property Manager following several aborted searches over the course of a number of months.
- Working on a role that has had significant exposure over an extended period of time required a fresh approach and a bespoke search.
- We agreed a time frame to produce a short list and a strict timetable for 1st and 2nd interviews and the offer was issued and accepted within 6 weeks of the search commencing.
- This 1st placement led to the client requesting 2 more retained senior hires and we successfully secured the placements of a Residential Asset Manager and a Senior Facilities Manager.
Private Residential Estate
Head of Sales - Retained Search
- GKR was retained to hire a Head of Sales on behalf of Solomon Investment Partners in their Chester Office.
- We worked closely with them to ensure they could attract a likeminded individual to strengthen their focus within the Property Investment Market.
- GKR provided a shortlist of recommended industry professionals curated via our referral network; a final candidate was selected following the second round of interviews.
- Due to a short notice period, the candidate was able to onboard swiftly and effectively having made some great progress already.
Fast-growing Property Investment Consultancy
Head of Residential/HR Manager - Exclusive Search
- GKR was instructed by the Head of Residential/HR Manager of Northacre to secure a Completions Manager for their Broadway and no1 Palace Street luxury developments.
- Speaking through the requirements in detail with the HR Manager, we were instructed exclusively on the role looking to build on our previous success in placing a Lettings Manager.
- The talent pool was relatively small we successfully presented a shortlist of 3 selected individuals and organised first and second-stage interviews, the search was concluded quickly.
- The successful candidate was immediately available and started one week after being offered the job fulfilling the urgent need for this hire.
Leading Premium Property Developer
Start the conversation:
If you are planning growth, managing a replacement hire, or building a specialist team, we are happy to talk through the brief and recommend an approach. Contact us on 0207 048 3304 or submit a job brief through the button below.
