Director - Retail Development

Lead the end-to-end development of assigned new retail assets and/or redevelopment portfolios, from project definition and feasibility through design, procurement, delivery, opening and post-completion review. The role is accountable for protecting the approved business case, retail product intent, programme, cost, quality and risk position while aligning internal functions, operating partners, consultants, contractors and authorities.

Strategic Responsibilities

•Translate the Retail Development strategy and annual operating plan into prioritised programmes, budgets and delivery plans for assigned assets.

•Shape asset concepts, positioning, merchandising principles and development parameters using market, catchment, competitor and operational insight.

•Maintain the integrity of the investment case at each gateway, recommending acceleration, recovery, re-scoping or escalation where required.

•Contribute to portfolio planning, resource allocation, development standards and continuous improvement across the function. Portfolio Planning & Business Case

•Own project briefs, development parameters, scope definitions, feasibility inputs, business cases, annual budgets, reforecasts and cash-flow profiles for assigned assets.

•Challenge assumptions relating to gross leasable area, development cost, income, phasing, disruption, tenant requirements and operational readiness.

•Prepare and present gateway submissions, committee papers, dashboards and recommendations for decision. Retail Product, Leasing & Income

•Direct the retail concept, positioning, merchandising plan, unit mix, floorplate efficiency, circulation, anchor strategy and customer-experience requirements.

•Lead alignment with leasing and operating teams, assess deal and tenant requirements, and direct the design, cost and programme response to leasing changes.

•Protect ancillary, commercialisation, parking and other income provisions against the approved business case. Design, Technical & Authority Governance

•Direct design development and review stage deliverables against the brief, technical standards, operational needs and approved investment case.

•Chair design freeze, value-engineering and change-control decisions, balancing cost, programme, quality, leasing value and design intent.

•Oversee master-plan, infrastructure, utilities, sustainability, authority approval and NOC strategies, resolving escalated interfaces and derogations. Commercial & Delivery Management

•Set procurement and contracting strategies, review tender evaluations, and recommend awards in accordance with applicable approval authorities.

•Review cost reports, cost-to-complete forecasts, variations, claims, payment matters and commercial risks, taking timely corrective action.

Chair project reviews, monitor programme and critical path, direct recovery plans, and resolve escalated technical, contractual, authority and stakeholder issues.

•Oversee site progress, quality, HSE, risk and change management through completion. Handover & Operational Readiness

•Direct operational readiness, tenant fit-out, commissioning, phased handover, asset information delivery and opening planning with mall management and facilities management.

•Ensure defects, close-out obligations and post-opening reviews are completed and lessons learned are captured. Governance & Assurance

•Maintain project governance, records, delegated-authority compliance, risk escalation and a reliable single source of project information.

•Ensure consultant and contractor performance is measured and that project reporting is accurate, timely and decision-focused. People Management

•Set clear objectives, allocate work, monitor performance, provide timely feedback and support capability development in line with functional priorities.

•Promote collaboration, accountability, knowledge sharing, inclusion and continuous improvement across employees, consultants and project partners.

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction/Project Management, Real Estate or a related discipline. A relevant postgraduate qualification and/or professional membership is preferred. Experience

Minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible experience in large-scale real estate development, including substantial retail/mixed-use experience and leadership of projects through feasibility, design, procurement, construction and handover. UAE/GCC experience is preferred. Technical Competencies

•Retail development lifecycle and product definition

•Development appraisal, feasibility and business-case governance

•Shopping-centre design management and technical coordination

•Leasing, tenant and operator interfaces

•Cost, procurement, contracts, risk and change control

•Programme, gateway and delegated-authority governance

•Construction delivery, commissioning and operational readiness

•Consultant, contractor, authority and stakeholder management

Behavioural Competencies

•Customer Focus

•Results Orientation

•Business Awareness

•Curious & Creative

•Sense of Urgency

•Adaptability & Flexibility

•Builds Relationships

•Empowerment

•Problem Solving & Decision Making

•Planning and Organising

•Communication Skills

•Teamwork