Job Description - Director, Retail Leasing

Role: Director - Retail Leasing

Location: Gurugram

Department: Retail Leasing / Commercial

Experience: 14 - 18 Years

Role Overview:

- The Director - Retail Leasing will lead and drive the overall leasing strategy for premium retail assets including shopping malls, high streets, and mixed-use developments.

- This role is responsible for maximizing asset value through strategic tenant mix, strong brand partnerships, and revenue optimization.

- As a senior leadership position, the role requires deep industry networks, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to influence key stakeholders while delivering high-impact leasing outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

Leasing Strategy & Leadership:

- Define and execute long-term leasing strategies aligned with asset positioning and business objectives.

- Lead leasing for large-scale retail portfolios, including pre-leasing for new developments.

- Drive occupancy, revenue growth, and asset value enhancement.

- Mentor and manage a team of leasing professionals to deliver business goals.

Business Development & Tenant Acquisition:

- Leverage strong relationships to onboard leading national and international retail brands.

- Identify emerging brands and new retail concepts to enhance asset differentiation.

- Build and maintain a strong broker and channel partner network.

- Drive strategic partnerships and anchor tenant closures.

Commercial Negotiations & Deal Structuring:

- Lead high-value lease negotiations including rentals, CAM, revenue share, lock-ins, and tenure.

- Structure complex, commercially viable deals aligned with financial targets.

- Collaborate with legal and finance teams for seamless deal closure and documentation.

Tenant Mix Optimization & Asset Positioning:

- Curate and continuously optimize tenant mix across categories (Fashion, F&B, Entertainment, Lifestyle, etc.

- Align tenant mix with evolving consumer trends and asset positioning strategy.

- Monitor tenant performance and drive corrective actions where required.

Tenant Relationship Management:

- Build long-term strategic relationships with key retail brands and stakeholders.

- Act as a senior escalation point for critical tenant matters.

- Ensure high tenant satisfaction, retention, and repeat partnerships.

Market Intelligence & Insights:

- Track retail trends, consumer behavior, and competitor developments.

- Provide strategic insights for asset repositioning and new project planning.

- Maintain strong awareness of upcoming brands and expansion plans.

Cross-functional Leadership:

- Collaborate with marketing teams for brand activations, campaigns, and footfall generation.

- Work closely with asset management and operations teams to ensure asset performance.

- Support investment, design, and development teams in new retail projects.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

- Portfolio occupancy rate (%)

- Leasing revenue and deal value

- Tenant retention and renewal rates

- Average rental yield / trading density

- Vacancy turnaround time

- Contribution to asset valuation and NOI growth

Qualifications & Experience:

- MBA / Postgraduate in Business, Real Estate, or related field.

- 14-18 years of experience in retail leasing within malls, high streets, or mixed-use developments.

- Proven track record of closing large-scale leasing deals and managing premium retail assets.

- Strong network across retail brands, developers, and leasing ecosystem.

Key Skills & Competencies:

- Strategic thinking with strong execution focus

- Advanced negotiation and commercial acumen

- Leadership and team management

- Stakeholder and relationship management

- Deep understanding of retail trends and consumer behavior

- Financial understanding of lease structures and asset performance

- Excellent communication and influencing skills

- Preferred Industry Experience

- Shopping mall developers

- Retail real estate / commercial developers

- Mixed-use developments

- Retail advisory / consulting firms