Leasing Director (Shopping Malls)

Job description / Role

Our client is a leading developer of shopping malls throughout the Middle East. Due to ongoing expansion geographically, our client is looking to recruit a Leasing Director to join its team based in Riyadh, to spearhead its retail leasing efforts across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

- Accountable for maximizing overall leasing revenue, ensuring implementation of best practices defined by Corporate Leasing and overseeing performance of Leasing team, and managing key tenant relationships.
- Review asset-level Leasing Plans based on leasing policies/procedures and guidelines set by Corporate Leasing and provide input and feedback to Leasing team based on guidelines and policies/ procedures communicated for timely implementation.
- Support Development and Asset Management team in defining 3-year plan and asset-level strategy and successful execution of leasing plans.
- Provide inputs / direction to Leasing team in preparing agreements, negotiating contracts, and managing lease renewals for the assets.
- Ensure integration and utilization of pricing tools to support the decision making.
- Review Leasing budgets and consolidate for submission to Head of Leasing for approval.
- Manage Specialty Leasing contracts in coordination with the Leasing team.
- Liaise between Head of Leasing and leasing team in order to clarify instructions or concerns from Corporate Leasing to leasing team.
- Escalate major issues and concerns of leasing team to Head of Leasing as appropriate for timely resolution.
- Manage relationships with major tenants and actively search for new tenants, coordinating with Head of Leasing as necessary for guidance and advice.
- Provide inputs to feasibility studies as requested including estimated rental value and potential tenant mix.
- Develop a thorough understanding of the KSA market and contacts, including competing current and future projects, market rents, brands, new entries to market, including FEC and Fashion brands.
- Ensure timely implementation of department policies, procedures and controls covering all areas of the department activities, so that all activity takes place in an efficient and controlled manner.
- Take lead on developing plan changes and developing the correct communication channels for responsible projects
- Participate, give direction and feedback at master planning stage of major tenant requirements
- Ensure compliance with our clients Code of Conduct, Departmental policies and HR Policies and Procedures at all times.
- Be the advocate and ambassador of aligning and cascading our client’s values in the assigned area of responsibility and ensure that relevant team adhered to and exhibit the same all the time.
- Build the capability of staff reporting into by providing on time regular feedback including annual review on performance and identify areas of improvement / reinforcement for further development.
- Manage, guide and mentor the Leasing team reporting into and take full responsibility in identifying potential talent and timely supporting professional development.
- Lead by example – thrive to create an honest and open work environment where individuals collaborate /support each other as a team and are passionate to achieve a common business objective.

Requirements

- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or equivalent field.
- Candidates educated to Master’s level or MBA would be at a distinct advantage
- Minimum 12 – 15 years of progressive experience in managing all aspects of Leasing function in a highly dynamic organization, preferably Retail / Large Shopping Malls / major Real Estate in GCC or abroad with at least 4 – 8 years in a similar role.
- Bi-lingual Arabic / English is advantageous but not essential
- Previous exposure to retail leasing in the Saudi / emerging markets is highly desirable

About the Company

Macdonald & Company is the leading professional recruitment consultancy for the real estate and built environment sectors. Established in 1992 and headquartered in the UK, we apply local knowledge with true global connection through our offices in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the U.S., Africa and the Middle East.

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.

Macdonald & Company is a subsidiary of Prime People Limited.

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