Retail Manager

Role Overview

Retail Manager at Wasl, Dubai. Reports to Director – Business Development within the Property Management – Leasing department.

Company Overview

Wasl was founded on May 25, 2008, from the union of the Dubai Development Board and Real Estate Department, with the mission to transform Dubai into a more captivating destination for residents, businesses, and visitors. Today, Wasl stands as one of Dubai's largest and most diversified real estate management companies, overseeing an expansive portfolio of landmark assets entrusted by DREC and other esteemed partners. The company is an active contributor to Dubai's thriving economy, fostering enduring relationships with valued stakeholders through a customer-centric approach rooted in trust, respect, and relentless pursuit of innovation in asset management.

Role Purpose

The Retail Manager is responsible for managing retail leasing activities across assigned property portfolios to maximize occupancy, rental income, tenant retention, and commercial performance. The role identifies and secures suitable tenants, develops tenant mix recommendations, negotiates new leases and renewals, and maintains productive tenant relationships while working closely with Property Management, Marketing, Finance, Legal, Community Management, and Operations to support an attractive retail offering and leasing outcomes aligned with approved portfolio objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Leasing Planning and Strategy

• Develop and implement leasing plans for assigned retail properties in line with approved occupancy, rental income, tenant mix, and business development objectives.
• Conduct market research and competitor benchmarking on rental rates, retail demand, vacancy levels, leasing incentives, and emerging retail concepts.
• Monitor occupancy, rental income, leasing pipeline conversion, renewals, vacancies, and tenant mix; recommend corrective actions where performance falls below approved plans.

Tenant Acquisition and Assessment

• Identify and approach prospective tenants, retail brands, franchise operators, and service providers suited to each property's positioning, catchment, customer needs, and available spaces.
• Assess prospective tenants' business concepts, operating experience, commercial suitability, and financial information in coordination with relevant teams.
• Recommend a balanced tenant mix that supports customer convenience, complementary retail offerings, and sustainable property performance.

Lease Negotiation and Documentation

• Maintain an active leasing pipeline, arrange property viewings, follow up on enquiries, and convert qualified prospects into leasing proposals and agreements.
• Negotiate rental rates, lease durations, escalation provisions, incentives, and other commercial terms within approved parameters and delegated authority.
• Prepare leasing proposals and approval submissions, clearly presenting commercial terms, financial implications, risks, and any requested exceptions.
• Coordinate with Legal and lease administration teams to ensure approved terms are accurately reflected in lease agreements and supporting documentation.
• Maintain accurate leasing records and system data, follow approved policies and documentation requirements, and escalate contractual disputes or non-standard arrangements to Legal and management.

Tenant Relationship and Retention Management

• Manage lease expiry and renewal schedules, engage tenants in advance, and negotiate renewals that support retention and rental income objectives.
• Maintain tenant relationships, address leasing-related enquiries and concerns, and coordinate the resolution of service or operational issues with responsible departments.
• Coordinate with Finance and relevant teams on tenant payment concerns, outstanding amounts, and their implications for leasing or renewal decisions.

Tenant Onboarding and Operations Coordination

• Coordinate tenant onboarding, handover, fit-out requirements, approvals, and NOCs with Property Management, Operations, and relevant teams to support timely trading commencement.

Marketing and Business Development

• Work with Marketing to promote available retail spaces through suitable campaigns, listings, leasing materials, broker engagement, and industry networking.

Financial and Performance Reporting

• Prepare leasing reports, rental forecasts, market updates, and recommendations to support management decisions and annual business planning.
• Contribute to leasing budgets and financial projections with Finance and Property Management, including expected lease commencements, renewals, incentives, and vacancy assumptions.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other retail leasing and business development responsibilities as assigned by the Director – Business Development.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Real Estate Management, Marketing, Finance, or a related field.
• 5–7 years of experience in commercial real estate leasing, including a minimum of 3 years in retail properties.
• Demonstrated experience in tenant acquisition, retail lease negotiations, renewals, and tenant relationship management.
• Strong understanding of tenant mix, rental benchmarking, occupancy management, leasing incentives, and retail property performance drivers.

Desirable

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Real Estate, Marketing, or a related field.
• Professional certification in real estate, property management, or commercial leasing.
• Experience in the UAE or GCC retail leasing market.
• Experience with community retail, shopping centres, mixed-use developments, or master developer portfolios.
• Established relationships with retail brands, franchise operators, and commercial property brokers.
• Familiarity with UAE real estate market practices, relevant DLD and RERA requirements, and tenancy registration processes.
• Experience using CRM platforms, leasing dashboards, and market intelligence tools.

Skills & Competencies

Advanced Proficiency

• Retail Leasing: Manage tenant acquisition, leasing proposals, new leases, and renewals across assigned retail properties.
• Tenant Acquisition and Assessment: Identify suitable retailers and assess their concepts, operating credentials, and commercial suitability.
• Lease Negotiation: Negotiate commercial terms that balance rental income, occupancy, tenant retention, and leasing risk.
• Tenant Mix Planning: Recommend complementary retail and service offerings aligned with property positioning and catchment needs.
• Market Research and Rental Benchmarking: Analyze competing properties, rental rates, retail demand, incentives, and market opportunities.
• Leasing Performance Analysis: Interpret occupancy, rental income, vacancy, renewal, and leasing pipeline data to guide action.
• Tenant Relationship Management: Manage leasing relationships, address concerns, and support tenant retention through coordinated follow-up.
• Leasing Financial Analysis: Assess rental proposals, incentives, income forecasts, and the financial implications of leasing decisions.

Intermediate Proficiency

• Lease Documentation and Compliance: Apply approved leasing procedures, recognize contractual issues, and coordinate documentation with Legal.
• Tenant Onboarding and Fit-Out Coordination: Coordinate handover, approvals, NOCs, and fit-out dependencies with responsible teams.
• Leasing Marketing and Broker Engagement: Support property promotion, leasing campaigns, and broker networks to generate qualified enquiries.
• Leasing Systems and Reporting: Maintain accurate leasing records and prepare reports using property systems, Excel, and reporting tools.

Core Competencies

• Strong negotiation, communication, relationship management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to coordinate leasing activities and resolve dependencies across multiple departments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and property management or leasing systems.

Additional Information

Internal Relationships

Director – Business Development, Leasing and Lease Administration Teams, Property Management, Finance, Legal, Marketing, Wasl Community Management, Operations, AMSS, NOC and Fit-Out Approval Teams.

External Relationships

Existing and Prospective Retail Tenants, Retail Brands and Franchise Operators, Property Owners where applicable, Brokers, Service Providers, Contractors, Consultants, and Relevant Government and Regulatory Entities.

Work Environment

The role operates across assigned retail properties, balancing occupancy, rental income, tenant suitability, and retention in a competitive leasing environment. Work involves property visits, tenant meetings, commercial negotiations, market engagement, and coordination with teams responsible for property operations and tenant services.

Decision-Making Authority

The role manages day-to-day leasing activities and negotiates commercial terms within approved policies, leasing parameters, and delegated authority. Rental concessions, non-standard lease terms, material financial commitments, and contractual exceptions are submitted to the Director – Business Development and relevant approving authorities. Legal disputes and technical approvals are referred to the responsible functions.

Financial Accountability

The role contributes to achieving approved rental income and occupancy targets for assigned retail properties. It supports leasing budgets and forecasts, evaluates the financial implications of proposed rents and incentives, and monitors leasing performance against approved plans. Financial commitments, concessions, and leasing expenditure are subject to approved budgets and delegated authority.