About:
Alef Group is a pioneer in developing premier lifestyle communities, destinations, and experiences through investment and strategic joint ventures, is seeking a bilingual, commercially driven Director - Retail Leasing to join the team in Sharjah.
Job Purpose:
The Director - Retail Leasing is responsible for leading, planning, and executing the retail leasing strategy for the developer's portfolio of malls, mixed-use developments, and retail assets. The role will focus on maximizing occupancy, rental income, and tenant mix alignment in line with the company's strategic objectives. This position plays a key role in building long-term relationships with international, regional, and local retailers, while ensuring the delivery of sustainable leasing performance that enhances the overall value of the retail portfolio.
Key Accountabilities:
Strategic Planning & Leadership
- Develop and implement the overall retail leasing strategy aligned with the organization's vision and commercial objectives.
- Lead and manage the retail leasing team to achieve occupancy, revenue, and tenant mix targets.
- Conduct market research and competitor analysis to anticipate retail trends, rental benchmarks, and demand dynamics in the UAE and wider GCC market.
- Provide input into asset repositioning, development planning, and retail design to ensure market relevance.
Leasing Management
- Oversee the leasing of all retail assets (malls, community centers, high street retail, mixed-use projects).
- Establish and maintain relationships with key international, regional, and local retailers to secure anchor tenants and leading brands.
- Negotiate lease terms, commercial deals, and partnership agreements in line with company guidelines.
- Ensure optimal tenant mix to drive footfall, enhance customer experience, and increase asset performance.
- Manage the lease renewal process to minimize vacancies and maintain stable rental income.
Financial & Performance Management
- Set annual leasing budgets, rental targets, and KPIs for the leasing department.
- Monitor financial performance, rental collections, and occupancy rates against approved business plans.
- Recommend rental rate adjustments based on market conditions and asset positioning.
- Support the finance team with forecasting, reporting, and revenue optimization strategies.
Stakeholder & Relationship Management
- Act as the primary liaison with major retailers, brands, brokers, and industry stakeholders.
- Collaborate with the Development, Marketing, Property Management, and Legal teams to ensure leasing strategies are fully aligned.
- Represent the company at industry events, exhibitions, and networking forums to promote the brand and attract prospective tenants.
Team Development
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing retail leasing team.
- Establish performance management frameworks, training, and development initiatives to enhance team capability.
Educational Qualifications, Work Experience, and Skills Required:
Educational Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Real Estate, or related field (Master's degree preferred).
Work Experience:
- Minimum 1215 years of experience in retail leasing, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within the UAE/GCC real estate sector.
- Proven track record of securing and managing high-profile retail tenants (international & regional brands).
- Strong knowledge of UAE retail real estate laws, leasing practices, and market dynamics.
Skills required:
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Strategic thinker with strong financial acumen and ability to drive commercial results.
- Leadership and team management experience in a multicultural environment.
- Fluency in English & Arabic is a must.
