Retail Leasing Manager

Job Snapshot Job Snapshot Role: Retail Leasing Manager
- Portfolio Strategy

Location:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates Role Overview Retail Leasing Manager
- Portfolio Strategy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a Retail hiring opportunity focused on regional lease negotiations, store expansion, portfolio optimization, property acquisition, and commercial performance across MENA. The role requires an experienced retail leasing professional who can secure prime locations, negotiate competitive commercial terms, manage renewals and exits, analyze property performance, and support profitable expansion for an international portfolio of retail brands. Job Details Country: United Arab Emirates City: Dubai Industry: Retail Function: Real Estate Leasing-Acquisition

Salary:
22000-32000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer. Gender: Any Candidate Nationality: Any

Job Type
Full-time Role Context The Retail Leasing Manager connects brand expansion plans with commercially viable real estate opportunities across the regional store portfolio. The position combines transaction management, lease administration, financial analysis, landlord negotiation, and portfolio strategy. Decisions made in this role directly influence occupancy costs, store profitability, expansion timelines, and long-term retail presence, requiring careful evaluation of both commercial opportunities and contractual exposure.

Key Responsibilities
- Manage retail leasing transactions across the assigned portfolio from initial evaluation and negotiation through documentation and formalization.
- Source suitable prime retail locations for existing brands, new market entries, and planned store expansion.
- Negotiate rentals, commercial clauses, incentives, lease periods, renewal terms, and other conditions that support sustainable store economics.
- Coordinate contract reviews, legal assessments, payment processing, approvals, and lease documentation.
- Maintain accurate leasing systems, transaction trackers, renewal schedules, property records, and supporting documentation.
- Develop location roll-out plans in line with individual brand expansion strategies and commercial priorities.
- Analyze existing store and property performance to identify opportunities for rental reductions, renegotiation, relocation, or portfolio optimization.
- Manage lease renewals proactively and negotiate competitive terms before contractual deadlines.
- Lead negotiations for early surrender or termination of underperforming locations while minimizing financial exposure.
- Build productive relationships with landlords, mall operators, developers, agents, and relevant internal stakeholders.
- Prepare regular leasing reports covering transactions, renewals, occupancy costs, portfolio activity, and strategic opportunities.
- Present leasing recommendations, property assessments, and brand expansion proposals to management.
- Work with the legal function to review contractual obligations and identify potential lease risks before commitments are finalized.
- Coordinate between landlords and Store Development teams during new store openings, closures, relocations, and renovations.
- Maintain regional property intelligence including mall information, floor plans, location details, and relevant market data.
- Support business divisions in preparing feasibility assessments for proposed projects and locations.
- Provide leasing and commercial inputs for proposals submitted to the Retail Investment Committee.
- Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of leasing policies, controls, processes, and reporting frameworks. Ideal Profile
- Bachelor 's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in retail leasing, property leasing, or real estate management.
- Experience within a multinational, large retail group, shopping mall environment, or regional property portfolio is advantageous.
- Strong record of negotiating retail leases and commercially significant property transactions.
- Ability to assess rental structures, occupancy costs, lease obligations, and financial implications.
- Strong relationship management skills when dealing with landlords and internal business stakeholders.
- Experience managing lease renewals, terminations, contract documentation, and transaction trackers.
- Analytical capability to evaluate portfolio performance and support location decisions.
- Understanding of retail expansion, store roll-outs, renovations, relocations, and closures.
- Ability to interpret market trends and use property intelligence to support negotiation strategies.
- Strong presentation and reporting capabilities for communicating recommendations to management.
- Commercial judgement to balance brand requirements, property quality, financial returns, and contractual exposure. Skills Set
- Retail leasing
- Real estate acquisition
- Lease neg