Business Development Manager - Brand Acquisition - Retail

Role Overview

Business Development Manager - Brand Acquisition - Retail at Al Tayer Group. This role identifies and evaluates new international and emerging luxury brands, builds relationships with brand owners and partners, leads commercial negotiations, and coordinates the end-to-end acquisition process through to onboarding and launch.

Role Purpose

To support the growth and development of the retail portfolio by sourcing, evaluating and acquiring strategic luxury and emerging brands that align with company direction, customer profile and market opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Brand Acquisition & Scouting

• Identify, research and proactively source relevant international, luxury and emerging brands aligned with strategic direction, customer profile and market opportunities.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of potential brand acquisition opportunities.
• Conduct initial brand assessments and develop clear understanding of brand proposition, positioning, target customer and growth potential.
• Establish relationships with brand owners, founders, agents and international representatives.

Commercial Evaluation & Business Planning

• Assess potential brands through market research, competitive analysis, financial modelling, brand positioning, pricing and distribution strategy.
• Evaluate overall commercial potential and strategic fit of prospective brands.
• Develop detailed business cases, financial assessments and commercial recommendations for senior management.
• Assess commercial terms, margins, targets, investment requirements and potential return.
• Work closely with Finance and other relevant functions to validate financial assumptions and business plans.

Relationship Management & Negotiations

• Build and manage strong relationships with brand owners, founders, agents, brand principals and international partners.
• Lead commercial discussions and negotiations relating to distribution, exclusivity, commercial terms, margins, targets and contracts.
• Develop long-term strategic relationships while ensuring commercial objectives are achieved.
• Manage competing priorities and interests between internal stakeholders and external brand partners.
• Work closely with Legal and Finance to ensure commercial agreements are aligned with business requirements.

Market & Portfolio Development

• Monitor fashion and retail trends, competitor activity, consumer behaviour and market gaps to identify new growth opportunities.
• Maintain strong awareness of the international luxury retail landscape and emerging brands.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen, diversify and continuously develop the company's brand portfolio.
• Provide market insights and recommendations to senior management to support portfolio strategy.
• Track developments within relevant markets and proactively identify brands with potential for the region.

Project Management & Cross-Functional Execution

• Lead the end-to-end brand acquisition process from initial brand contact and evaluation through negotiation, onboarding and launch.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Retail, Marketing, Finance, Legal, Operations, Buying/Merchandising and other relevant stakeholders.
• Establish project timelines, key milestones, deliverables and responsibilities to ensure successful execution.
• Manage multiple workstreams and competing priorities while maintaining visibility of project progress.
• Track risks, issues, actions and decisions and ensure timely resolution and escalation where required.
• Ensure all stakeholders remain aligned throughout the acquisition and launch process.
• Apply structured project management and reporting disciplines with PMO/project governance experience preferred.

Presentation & Business Storytelling

• Develop compelling presentations, pitch decks, business cases and management reports for senior management and external brand partners.
• Translate market insights, brand positioning, commercial opportunities and financial potential into clear, compelling and persuasive recommendations.
• Present business opportunities confidently to senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Develop compelling brand acquisition proposals that clearly articulate strategic and commercial rationale.
• Ensure presentations and recommendations are supported by robust research, commercial analysis and financial data.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in luxury retail brand acquisition, business development, commercial partnerships or a closely related field.
• Proven experience in identifying, scouting and acquiring international or emerging luxury/fashion brands.
• Proven experience working directly with brand owners, founders, principals, agents and international partners.
• Strong understanding of the luxury fashion and retail industry, including brand positioning, distribution models, pricing and commercial dynamics.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Management, Marketing or a related discipline preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong business and commercial acumen with the ability to assess strategic opportunities and understand their commercial implications.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience with financial modelling, business cases, margins, commercial terms and financial analysis.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills with the ability to negotiate effectively while maintaining strong long-term relationships.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to coordinate and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Strong project management, planning and organisational skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong presentation and business storytelling skills.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel and PowerPoint.

Additional Information

• PMO/project governance experience is preferred.