Leasing Category Manager

Ikano-Retail; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent retail management firm is seeking a Senior Leasing Manager to drive leasing strategies and secure profitable partnerships for their shopping centres in Malaysia. Candidates should have at least 10-15 years of experience in commercial real estate and a strong understanding of retail markets. The ideal candidate will lead tenant mix development, negotiate lease deals, analyze market trends, and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders. Proficiency in English is essential, with Mandarin or Bahasa Malaysia preferred.

Qualifications

• At least 10-15 years in Leasing, Commercial development or Real Estate.
• Experience with retail brands and commercial conditions in shopping centres.
• Proficient in English, Mandarin, or Bahasa Malaysia preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive leasing category strategy and execution for target achievements.
• Plan and lead the tenant mix and development for assigned category.
• Negotiate and close lease deals with sustainable terms.
• Analyse tenant performance and retail trends for strategic guidance.
• Provide clear direction and leadership to the leasing team.

Skills

Retail market knowledge

Negotiation skills

Data analysis

Relationship building

Communication skills

Education

Advance Diploma or Bachelor degree in Real Estate

Job description

Our portfolio of shopping centres are the hearts and hubs of our communities, creating a better everyday life for the 100 million visitors who visit us every year.

Together with our IKEA stores, we create meeting places for friends and families to have a safe and fun day out. We also develop land and invest in residential, office and other types of real estate to create vibrant destinations where people can live, work and play. With strong ambitions to grow our portfolio, we currently operate five meeting places in Malaysia and Thailand. These include IPC and MyTOWN in Kuala Lumpur, Toppen in Johor Bahru, the first phase of Klippa in Batu Kawan, and Megabangna in Bangkok. We are part of Ikano Retail, one of 12 IKEA franchisees and the only one owned by the family of Ingvar Kamprad, who founded IKEA in 1943. To learn more, visit our Ikano Centres website or LinkedIn page.

Job Description

At Ikano Centres, our mission is to create vibrant meeting places that deliver sustainable profit and growth. This will be a key role in securing profitable leasing, building strong tenant partnerships, and ensuring an attractive tenant mix for our all our shopping centres in our Malaysia portfolio. You will drive leasing strategies, develop new brand opportunities, and position Ikano Centres as a landlord of choice for both local and international retailers.

Your assignment

• Drive leasing category strategy and execution to achieve occupancy, rental income, and renewal targets.
• Plan and lead the tenant mix and development for your assigned category to strengthen centre positioning.
• Prospect and secure new-to-market brands while building long-term portfolio partnerships locally and regionally.
• Negotiate and close lease deals, ensuring competitive commercial terms and sustainable tenant relations.
• Analyse tenant performance, retail trends, and market benchmarks to guide decisions and future strategy.
• Oversee lease compliance, policies, and updates to align with governance requirements.
• Collaborate with design, construction, finance, operations, and other teams to deliver projects on time and with quality.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with tenants, stakeholders, and cross-border leasing partners.
• Provide clear direction and leadership to the leasing team, coaching and developing their competence.
• Represent Ikano Centres as a professional, trusted, and forward-looking partner in the retail industry.

Qualifications

• Min Advance Diploma or Bachelor degree in Real Estate or related discipline
• At least 10 -15 years at a senior position in Leasing, Commercial development or Real Estate combined
• Retail, property market and leasing knowledge and retail brands representation
• Commercial conditions in retail and shopping centres
• Strong retailer network & excellent knowledge in tenancy agreements / legal framework / documentations
• Strong understanding of retailers’ needs and requirements in the primary markets we are operating
• Ability to compile, organize, analyse and make relevant conclusion from substantial amounts of data
• Good command of English, both spoken & written. Proficient in Mandarin / Bahasa Malaysia preferred
• Experienced Senior Leasing Managers or Experienced leader in Commercial Real Eastate