Retail Development Manager

The Retail Development Manager will be responsible for driving the expansion and performance of retail operations through strategic planning, market analysis, and effective execution of store development initiatives across the UAE. This role involves identifying new retail opportunities, managing store rollouts or refurbishments, and ensuring alignment with brand standards and UAE retail regulations. The manager will collaborate with leasing, marketing, operations, and design teams to support business growth in a dynamic and competitive retail environment.

Responsibilities:

• Identifying and evaluating potential retail locations in alignment with market trends, customer demographics, and business objectives.

• Leading the end-to-end process of new store openings, including site selection, lease negotiations, fit-out coordination, and launch planning.

• Collaborating with architects, contractors, and design teams to ensure store layouts meet brand standards and UAE authority regulations.

• Analyzing retail performance metrics to recommend improvements in store formats, layouts, or merchandising strategies.

• Managing store renovation projects and ensuring timely execution within budget and quality standards.

• Coordinating with leasing and legal teams to secure retail spaces and finalize contract terms.

• Monitoring retail trends and consumer behaviors across the UAE to identify strategic growth opportunities.

• Ensuring all retail development activities comply with local municipality rules, fire and safety codes, and other regulatory guidelines.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Real Estate, or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in retail development, expansion, or project management, with at least 2 years in the UAE market.

• Strong understanding of the UAE retail landscape, leasing procedures, and development regulations.

• Proven ability to manage large-scale projects with cross-functional teams and external vendors.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Strong analytical abilities with experience in market research, sales data interpretation, and ROI assessment.

• Proficiency in project management tools, MS Office, and AutoCAD or retail planning software is a plus.

• Fluency in English is required; Arabic proficiency is an advantage.