Leasing Manager - Retail

Job description / Role

The Retail Leasing Manager is responsible for driving leasing activities, securing anchor and ancillary tenants, and optimizing tenant mix to maximize rental income and asset value.

The role involves deal origination, negotiation, market analysis, and stakeholder management, ensuring successful lease execution and alignment with business objectives.

Client Details

Retail asset management firm with a growing presence in the UAE.

Description

Tenant Mix & Strategy Development

* Provide input to the tenant mix strategy to ensure a balanced and profitable retail environment.
* Support in the valuation assumptions of new retail projects.

Leasing & Deal Negotiation

* Originate and negotiate leasing deals with anchor and ancillary tenants.
* Develop and implement a tenant sourcing strategy.
* Negotiate lease terms within or above the agreed price range.
* Issue lease proposals and handle all necessary documentation.

Lease & Tenant Management

* Track lease expiries and initiate renewals in advance.
* Ensure the leasing plan aligns with market trends to maximize value creation.
* Identify leasing risks and recommend mitigation strategies.

Market & Relationship Management

* Maintain strong relationships with key regional retailers and retail groups.
* Monitor retail market trends and provide market intelligence.
* Expand relationships with Middle East regional retailers.

Operational & Legal Coordination

* Work with the Retail Delivery Team to ensure timely shop openings.
* Assist in lease documentation and compliance (e.g., trade licenses, contracts).
* Oversee legal proceedings related to tenancy disputes.
* Coordinate with IT teams to maintain and update the CRM system.

Financial & Performance Management

* Prepare annual budget reviews and adjust based on market conditions.
* Ensure rental targets are met or exceeded.
* Provide monthly updates to senior management on leasing activities.

Job Offer

Attractive Compensation & Benefits

* Competitive tax-free salary (if based in the UAE or GCC)
* Performance-based bonuses and incentives
* Comprehensive health insurance and other benefits

Career Growth & Market Exposure

* Opportunity to work with a leading real estate developer or asset management firm
* Exposure to major retail brands and decision-makers in the Middle East
* Career progression within a dynamic and growing retail real estate sector

Strategic & High-Impact Role

* Influence leasing strategies for prime retail assets
* Autonomy to negotiate high-value deals and optimize tenant mix
* Work on prestigious retail destinations across the region

The successful candidate will be a highly experienced retail leasing professional with a strong network of Middle East regional retailers and retail groups. They will have 10+ years of experience in retail leasing, including at least 2 years in a managerial role, overseeing leasing strategies for regional, and community malls.

They will be a strategic negotiator, capable of securing anchor and ancillary tenants, optimizing tenant mix, and ensuring leasing deals meet or exceed financial targets. With excellent market knowledge, relationship management skills, and commercial acumen, they will proactively identify leasing risks, adapt to market conditions, and drive the asset's long-term value growth.

About the Company

Michael Page is one of the world's leading professional recruitment consultancies, specializing in the placement of candidates in permanent, contract, temporary and interim positions with clients around the world.

The Group has operations in the UK, Continental Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. In the Middle East we focus on the areas of:

Finance & Accounting Banking & Financial Services Procurement Property & Construction Engineering & Supply Chain Oil & Gas Technical and Engineering Human Resources Sales Marketing Technology Secretarial Executive Search Legal

The Group operates through 161 offices in 33 countries and employs over 5,000 employees worldwide.