Director Retail Leasing

Alef Group; Sharjah; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A premier lifestyle community developer is seeking a bilingual, commercially driven Director - Retail Leasing in Sharjah. The role entails leading the retail leasing strategy for malls and mixed-use developments, maximizing occupancy and rental income while managing key retailer relationships. A Bachelor's degree is required, alongside 12-15 years in retail leasing and fluency in English and Arabic. This position calls for strong leadership, negotiation skills, and financial acumen.

Qualifications

• 12-15 years of experience in retail leasing.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership role within UAE/GCC.
• Track record of managing high-profile retail tenants.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement retail leasing strategy for portfolios.
• Manage and optimize lease renewal processes.
• Monitor financial performance and occupancy rates.

Skills

Excellent negotiation

Communication

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Team management

Fluency in English

Fluency in Arabic

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Real Estate, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

About

Alef Group is a pioneer in developing premier lifestyle communities, destinations, and experiences through investment and strategic joint ventures, is seeking a bilingual, commercially driven Director - Retail Leasing to join the team in Sharjah.

Job Purpose

The Director - Retail Leasing is responsible for leading, planning, and executing the retail leasing strategy for the developer’s portfolio of malls, mixed-use developments, and retail assets. The role will focus on maximizing occupancy, rental income, and tenant mix alignment in line with the company’s strategic objectives. This position plays a key role in building long-term relationships with international, regional, and local retailers, while ensuring the delivery of sustainable leasing performance that enhances the overall value of the retail portfolio.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Planning & Leadership

• Develop and implement the overall retail leasing strategy aligned with the organization’s vision and commercial objectives.
• Lead and manage the retail leasing team to achieve occupancy, revenue, and tenant mix targets.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to anticipate retail trends, rental benchmarks, and demand dynamics in the UAE and wider GCC market.
• Provide input into asset repositioning, development planning, and retail design to ensure market relevance.

Leasing Management

• Oversee the leasing of all retail assets (malls, community centers, high street retail, mixed-use projects).
• Establish and maintain relationships with key international, regional, and local retailers to secure anchor tenants and leading brands.
• Negotiate lease terms, commercial deals, and partnership agreements in line with company guidelines.
• Ensure optimal tenant mix to drive footfall, enhance customer experience, and increase asset performance.
• Manage the lease renewal process to minimize vacancies and maintain stable rental income.

Financial & Performance Management

• Set annual leasing budgets, rental targets, and KPIs for the leasing department.
• Monitor financial performance, rental collections, and occupancy rates against approved business plans.
• Recommend rental rate adjustments based on market conditions and asset positioning.
• Support the finance team with forecasting, reporting, and revenue optimization strategies.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

• Act as the primary liaison with major retailers, brands, brokers, and industry stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Development, Marketing, Property Management, and Legal teams to ensure leasing strategies are fully aligned.
• Represent the company at industry events, exhibitions, and networking forums to promote the brand and attract prospective tenants.

Team Development

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing retail leasing team.
• Establish performance management frameworks, training, and development initiatives to enhance team capability.

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Real Estate, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).

Work Experience

• Minimum 12–15 years of experience in retail leasing, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within the UAE/GCC real estate sector.
• Proven track record of securing and managing high-profile retail tenants (international & regional brands).
• Strong knowledge of UAE retail real estate laws, leasing practices, and market dynamics.

Skills

• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong financial acumen and ability to drive commercial results.
• Leadership and team management experience in a multicultural environment.
• Fluency in English & Arabic is a must.