Head of Brand Acquisitions

Al Tayer Motors; Dubai; On-site; AED 367,000 - 551,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading luxury retail group in Dubai is seeking an experienced professional to drive brand acquisition strategies. With over 12 years in the premium retail sector, the successful candidate will manage partnerships and develop effective brand strategies. Responsibilities include creating acquisition pipelines, conducting store visits, and negotiating terms with stakeholders. Proficiency in English is mandatory, with additional language skills considered advantageous. This role offers an opportunity to lead a passionate team and elevate the luxury retail experience.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in a retail Brand Acquisition role within the luxury sector.
• Proven leadership qualities and financial understanding.
• Must be proficient in English, knowledge of Italian, French, or Arabic is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develops brand acquisition pipeline with leadership.
• Creates presentations and brand pitch decks.
• Manages updates of the brand acquisition tracker.
• Conducts store visits with principal brands.
• Collaborates on contracts and negotiations.

Skills

Brand sensibility

Communication skills

Financial acumen

Networking skills

Leadership qualities

Negotiation skills

Education

12+ years in retail Brand Acquisition

Job description

At Al Tayer Insignia, your career is more than a job — it’s a journey into the heart of luxury retail. For over 40 years, we’ve partnered with the world’s most iconic brands, creating award-winning retail experiences across our boutiques, department stores, and leading online platforms. With stores and outlets across the GCC and a truly seamless omnichannel presence, we bring style, innovation, and heritage together. Here, you’ll join a diverse, customer obsessed, passionate team that celebrates creativity, values individuality, and empowers you to grow. Join us on our journey, reimagining fashion and redefining the meaning of luxury in the region.

Job Description

This strategically critical and high-profile role will work closely with the VP – Buying and cross functional leadership team to drive the ATI brand acquisition strategy. Focused on successfully sourcing and executing new franchise brand partnerships across all categories to deliver future growth for the business.

Responsibilities

Strategic Roles and Responsibilities

• Develops the brand acquisition pipeline, under the guidance of the leadership team.
• Creates the brand acquisition pipeline summary to be shared with key stakeholders.
• Ensures presentations & brand pitch decks are presented to each brand appropriately and within the timeframes agreed.
• Aligns with respective brand & concession partners and develops the short- and long-term strategy for each brand alongside the Vice President of Buying.
• Connects the business brand strategy to the commercial KPIs within ATI ensuring we maximize every opportunity to drive sales.
• Develops projects based on product and brand with the marketing, personal shopping, commercial and creative teams.

Functional Roles and Responsibilities

• Manages the updates of the brand acquisition tracker to ensure all developments are captured accurately.
• Manages the visit schedule preparation and guidelines for principal brand visits which will typically include brand CEOs and Vice Presidents.
• Conducts mall and store floor walks with principal brands showcasing ATI portfolio.
• Works closely alongside legal on the agreements for all new brands providing the correct balance of detail and high-level summaries to the ATI leadership team.
• Creates the end-to-end onboarding project plan for new franchise brands coming into the portfolio.
• Ensures all business plans are shared with the relevant stakeholders and approval process is followed.
• Reviews the full process for brand acquisition and concessions from commercial terms, negotiation and contract development, updates on performance of new brands and concessions on monthly basis
• Highlights and manages risks with current partnerships
• Develops effective propositions that match customer demographics of each individual store.
• Identifies underperforming brands and suggests action orientated plans aligned with Vice President of Buying, Head of Department Stores and partner brands.
• Works closely with the key stakeholders to create, adapt, and deliver both short- and long-term goals to ensure each concession brand gives a consistent and appropriate tactical support to the business objectives.
• Actively builds and sustains successful relationships with all concession and joint venture partners.
• Main point of contact for all partnerships
• Works closely with the store managers to support store operational and performance needs. Attends store review meetings including WAM / Projects etc.
• Assists in negotiating favourable contract terms with partners and conducting contractual reviews on a frequent basis ensuring all in line with the concession agreement.
• Collaborates with the amber team to initiate targeted activations aimed at driving sales and elevating the in-store experience.
• Identifies new opportunities and activities aimed at driving customer experience and sales in line with brand guidelines and strategy.
• Identifies points of difference in new brands for pop ups and space changes.
• Explores and understands global trends and niche opportunities to drive performance.
• Possesses a great knowledge of customer trends and shopping behaviours that can translate into an opportunity.Ensures effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, JVs, and concession partnerships.
• Provides consistent reporting of each brands product performance and highlights weekly opportunities & risks to the cross functional team.
• Ensures complete awareness and understanding of the own bought product strategy. Works closely to ensure there is alignment.
• Ensures end to end trading of each brand is planned & executed. Provides necessary feedback on brand activity (markdowns, offers, new launches).

Qualifications

Years of Experience

• Minimum 12 years’ experience in a retail Brand Acquisition related role within the premium/luxury retail sector.

Knowledge and Skills

• High level of brand sensibility and awareness of market trends.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to present to senior leadership both internal and external.
• Financial acumen and P&L understanding.
• Must have provenleadership qualities.
• Excellent/high level networking skills to build and maintain relationships with key accounts and Principal/stakeholders/business partners.
• Should be able to communicate effectively and have excellent negotiation skills.
• Should be able to lead, develop and motivate teams.

Languages

• Proficient in the English language mandatory, Italian, French or Arabic would be an advantage.

Additional Requirements

• Proven track-record of building collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to evaluate business opportunities and identify potential risks.