Retail Leasing Director – Development (Houston)

Hunington Properties, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hunington Properties is seeking an experienced Director of Retail Leasing – Development to lead leasing across a growing portfolio of retail developments in the Houston market. You will originate opportunities, build relationships with national and regional retailers, and drive deals from LOI to lease execution.

You bring five years of retail leasing success, deep knowledge of off-price, apparel, home, and big box formats, and fluency with CoStar, Placer.ai, and CRM tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business, Finance, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Five years of retail leasing experience with a track record of personally originated and executed deals in retail development or redevelopment.
• Established relationships with real estate decision makers at national and regional soft goods and big box retailers, and calls that get returned.
• Deep experience leasing off-price, apparel, home, sporting goods, junior anchor, and anchor tenants.
• Working knowledge of retailer site criteria, co-tenancy requirements, and approval processes, including who signs.
• Strong command of retail lease structures and economics, including LOIs, TI allowances, exclusives, and co-tenancy clauses.
• Fluency in CoStar, Placer.ai, and a CRM platform.
• Hands-on use of AI tools for prospect research, outreach, and LOI drafting.
• Knowledge of the Houston retail market strongly preferred.
• Active Texas real estate license required

Responsibilities

• Originate leasing opportunities across Hunington's Houston retail development portfolio.
• Leverage established relationships with retailer real estate decision makers, tenant representatives, and brokers to build and convert a pipeline of qualified prospects.
• Match tenants to sites based on their site criteria, trade area requirements, and merchandising strategy.
• Lead deals from first conversation through LOI, lease negotiation, and execution.
• Draft and negotiate LOIs, using AI tools to accelerate drafting while maintaining accuracy and deal discipline.
• Structure and negotiate key lease terms, including co-tenancy provisions, exclusives, tenant improvement allowances, and delivery requirements.
• Present deals directly to Hunington's principals for approval and move quickly from LOI to decision.
• Coordinate with legal, development, construction, and property management to keep deals on schedule through execution and tenant delivery.
• Shape the merchandising plan for each development, sequencing anchor and junior anchor commitments to drive in‑line and pad leasing.
• Provide market and tenant input on site plans, building configurations, and development feasibility.
• Track market conditions, competing projects, and retailer expansion plans to inform leasing and development strategy.
• Maintain an accurate, current deal pipeline in Hunington's CRM
• Report on leasing activity, prospect status, and deal economics to the principals
• Support broader corporate initiatives as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Retail leasing

New business development

Relationship building

Negotiation

Deal closure

Market research

AI tools in leasing

CRM management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Real Estate

Finance

Equivalent experience

Tools

CoStar

Placer.ai

CRM platform

AI drafting tools

Job description

Hunington Properties is seeking an experienced Director of Retail Leasing – Development to lead leasing across a growing portfolio of retail developments in the Houston market. You will originate opportunities, build relationships with national and regional retailers, and drive deals from LOI to lease execution.

You bring five years of retail leasing success, deep knowledge of off-price, apparel, home, and big box formats, and fluency with CoStar, Placer.ai, and CRM tools.