Senior Manager, Retail

UEM Sunrise Berhad; Johor Bahru; On-site; MYR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail management company based in Johor Bahru is seeking a seasoned professional to lead operations of Southern retail malls. The role includes managing leasing, retail operations, tenant relations, and facilities management. Ideal candidates will have over 10 years of experience, including 5 years in leadership, with strong skills in operational management and team leadership. This position offers a strategic role in driving occupancy and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• More than 10 years of relevant work experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role.
• Ability to liaise with various levels of associates for improvement and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the end-to-end operations of the Southern retail malls.
• Develop and implement leasing strategies to maximize occupancy.
• Oversee daily mall operations to ensure a smooth retail environment.
• Manage service providers and performance KPIs.

Skills

Leadership

Operational management

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

Degree in Mechanical or Civil Engineering, Real Estate Management, or Business Administration

Job description

Job Purpose:

To lead and manage the end-to-end operations of the Southern retail malls, encompassing leasing, retail operations, tenant management, and facilities management. This role is responsible for driving occupancy, operational excellence, tenant satisfaction, and asset enhancement, in line with the company’s commercial strategy.

Job Accountabilities

1. Leasing Management

Lead the Southern Leasing Team to:

• Develop and implement leasing strategies to maximize occupancy and rental yields for Southern retail malls.
• Lead lease negotiations, renewals, and rent reviews in line with market benchmarks.
• Identify and secure new tenants to create an optimal retail mix aligned with the mall's positioning.
• Monitor lease expiry profile and maintain healthy occupancy through proactive planning.
• Build strong relationships with key retailers, anchor tenants, and leasing agents.

2. Retail Operations

• Oversee daily mall operations to ensure a smooth and customer-centric retail environment.
• Manage tenant onboarding, fit-out coordination, and tenancy delivery processes.
• Monitor tenant performance and implement programs to support underperforming tenants.
• Collaborate with the HQ Placemaking & Operations team to:
• Drive marketing for promotional campaigns and mall-wide events.
• Drive customer experience initiatives to increase shopper engagement and footfall.
• Collaborate with the HQ Retail Compliance team on all strata management issues and liaison with JMB/MC.

3. Facilities & Maintenance

Lead the Southern Retail Operations and Facilities Team to:

• Ensure effective management of facilities and building services including HVAC, security, housekeeping, M&E, landscaping, and parking.
• Oversee maintenance contracts and ensure compliance with regulatory, health, and safety standards.
• Manage service providers, SLAs, and performance KPIs to ensure operational efficiency.
• Lead sustainability and green building initiatives to enhance ESG performance and cost-saving measures.
• Develop preventive and corrective maintenance schedules to prolong asset life.

4. Budgeting & Financial Performance

• Develop and manage the Southern retail mall’s annual OPEX and CAPEX budgets.
• Monitor financial performance including leasing revenue, service charges, and cost efficiency.
• Analyze operational data and propose initiatives for revenue enhancement and cost optimization.
• Provide regular reporting and updates to senior management on KPIs and action plans.

5. Stakeholder & Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop the retail operations team across leasing, operations, and facilities.
• Liaise with internal departments including marketing, finance, legal, and project and development teams.
• Maintain strong tenant relationships and act as the main point of contact for escalations.
• Work closely with authorities, consultants, and vendors to ensure compliance and smooth operations.

Minimum Essential Qualifications & Technical Competencies

Formal Education

• Degree in Mechanical or Civil Engineering, Real Estate Management, or Business Administration.

Work Experience

• More than 10 years of relevant work experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role in complex management/retail operations, while leading a team of people in the related discipline.

Skills / Knowledge / Qualifications

• Ability to liaise with various levels of associates for improvement and troubleshooting.
• Strong leadership skill, demonstrated in a similar role.
• Strong organisational skill.
• Good interpersonal skill.
• Able to lead the team and set strong KPIs and achieve them in a timely manner.