Associate Director - Leasing Strategy

AlFuttaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Al‑Futtaim is seeking an Associate Director – Leasing Strategy in Dubai to lead development and execution of portfolio-wide leasing strategies for residential and commercial assets. You will drive pricing, occupancy, and revenue growth while directing Leasing and Leasing Administration teams across Dubai Festival City assets.

In this senior role, you will translate market intelligence into actionable leasing plans, negotiate high‑value deals, expand broker networks, and manage performance

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years UAE real estate experience with residential and commercial leasing exposure.
• Proven track record in leasing revenue, occupancy, and portfolio performance.
• Experience developing and executing portfolio‑level leasing strategies.
• Strong understanding of Dubai/UAE property market dynamics.
• Working knowledge of DLD and RERA requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop overarching leasing strategy for residential and commercial assets.
• Set annual targets for revenue, occupancy, renewals, pricing, and business development.
• Evaluate demand, vacancy, expiries, and competitor activity to define priorities.
• Adjust leasing plans as market conditions evolve.
• Drive leasing revenue growth and maintain sustainable occupancy.
• Negotiate high‑value terms while protecting asset value.
• Lead and develop Leasing and Leasing Administration teams.

Skills

Residential leasing

Commercial leasing

Leasing strategy

Broker management

Pricing strategy

Revenue forecasting

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate or related

MBA or postgraduate qualification

RICS/CCIM desirable

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Associate Director – Leasing Strategy Job Snapshot

Role: Associate Director – Leasing Strategy

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Real Estate

Function: Real Estate Leasing‑Acquisition

Experience: Minimum 15 years

Job Type: Full‑time

Position Overview

Associate Director – Leasing Strategy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a Real Estate leadership opportunity responsible for maximizing residential and commercial leasing revenue, occupancy, rental performance, and portfolio value. Al‑Futtaim is hiring a senior UAE property professional to establish portfolio‑wide leasing strategies, lead complex negotiations, expand broker and customer channels, optimize pricing, and direct high‑performing Leasing and Leasing Administration teams across Dubai Festival City assets.

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates

City: Dubai

Industry: Real Estate

Function: Real Estate Leasing‑Acquisition

Salary: 45000-65000

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 Associate Director converts asset and business objectives into measurable leasing outcomes across a substantial residential and commercial property portfolio. The role carries direct influence over occupancy, rental income, portfolio yield, tenant retention, pricing, and new business generation. By combining UAE market intelligence with financial analysis and disciplined transaction management, the position protects asset value while identifying opportunities to strengthen recurring revenue and long‑term portfolio performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop the overarching leasing strategy for residential and commercial assets and translate portfolio objectives into asset‑specific plans.
• Establish annual revenue, occupancy, renewal, pricing, and business development targets aligned with approved asset strategies.
• Evaluate demand, vacancy, lease expiries, customer segments, competitor activity, and prevailing rental conditions before defining leasing priorities.
• Adjust leasing plans proactively as market conditions and individual asset performance evolve.
• Drive annual leasing revenue and year‑on‑year rental income growth while maintaining sustainable occupancy.
• Identify opportunities to improve portfolio yield through rental optimization, lease structures, inventory management, and customer segmentation.
• Assess the financial implications of major leasing decisions in collaboration with Asset Management and Finance.
• Develop targeted plans for vacant inventory, new leases, renewals, expansions, and tenant retention.
• Negotiate rental uplifts and commercial terms while balancing occupancy objectives with long‑term asset value.
• Build a qualified pipeline of prospective residential and commercial customers, tenants, brokers, and strategic partners.
• Use established UAE market relationships to open new channels and generate incremental leasing revenue.
• Expand broker coverage while concentrating resources on productive, commercially effective channel partners.
• Establish performance expectations for brokers and measure their contribution to leasing revenue and transaction flow.
• Lead negotiations involving high‑value, sensitive, or structurally complex leasing transactions.
• Protect approved pricing benchmarks while evaluating incentives and lease structures required to secure commercially attractive agreements.
• Maintain detailed knowledge of Dubai Festival City and the wider UAE property market, including pricing movements, customer preferences, competing supply, and demand patterns.
• Translate market intelligence into recommendations covering pricing, leasing strategy, customer targeting, and property positioning.
• Manage the complete transaction lifecycle from lead generation and negotiation through documentation and contract execution.
• Coordinate with Leasing Administration, Legal, Finance, and other functions to maintain transaction accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure leasing documentation and contractual processes comply with applicable UAE requirements.
• Lead Leasing and Leasing Administration teams with clear targets, accountability, performance standards, and development plans.
• Monitor individual and team productivity and address performance gaps that could affect portfolio objectives.
• Partner with Asset Management, Development, Property Management, Finance, Marketing, and Legal on leasing priorities and strategic asset decisions.
• Provide senior management with timely analysis of revenue, occupancy, pipeline health, pricing, renewals, market movements, and emerging opportunities.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor 's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Marketing, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of UAE real estate experience with substantial exposure to residential and commercial leasing.
• Proven record of achieving significant leasing revenue, occupancy, and portfolio performance targets.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing portfolio‑level leasing strategies.
• Strong understanding of Dubai and wider UAE property market dynamics.
• Working knowledge of DLD and RERA requirements affecting property transactions and leasing activities.
• Established professional network among UAE property brokers and channel partners.
• Demonstrated ability to originate new business through market relationships and strategic partnerships.
• Advanced commercial and financial understanding covering rental pricing, revenue forecasting, portfolio yield, and optimization.
• Extensive experience leading complex leasing negotiations and protecting commercial value.
• Proven leadership of Sales, Leasing, or Leasing Administration teams.
• Strong command of the complete leasing transaction lifecycle.
• Advanced analytical capability with confidence interpreting market, financial, customer, and portfolio performance data.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and relevant CRM platforms.
• MBA or another relevant postgraduate qualification is advantageous.
• RICS, CCIM, or an equivalent professional real estate qualification is desirable.

Skills Set

• Residential leasing
• Commercial leasing
• Portfolio leasing strategy
• Leasing revenue management
• Occupancy optimization
• Rental income growth
• Portfolio yield optimization
• Rental pricing
• Revenue forecasting
• Vacancy management
• Lease renewals
• Tenant retention
• Business development
• Broker management
• Channel partner management
• High‑value negotiations
• Lease structuring
• Market intelligence
• Property market analysis
• Dubai property market
• DLD regulations
• RERA regulations
• Transaction management
• Leasing administration
• CRM systems
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Financial analysis
• Asset Management coordination
• Team leadership
• Performance management

Why Join Us

This senior appointment provides direct influence over the commercial performance of a major Real Estate portfolio in one of the region 's most active property markets. The role combines strategic leasing leadership with pricing, portfolio optimization, broker development, complex negotiations, and team management, creating significant scope to shape revenue and asset performance. Dubai Festival City 's established residential and commercial footprint also offers the scale and market visibility expected by experienced leaders seeking broader portfolio responsibility.

About the Company

Al‑Futtaim is a diversified privately held regional group headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Al‑Futtaim Group Real Estate manages a multi‑billion‑dollar MENA property portfolio spanning residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, educational, and healthcare developments. Its activities cover master planning, development, sales, leasing, construction, property operations, and asset management, with major mixed‑use destinations including Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City.