Retail Manager

Job Purpose

The Manager, Retail Property Management is accountable for the smooth running of assigned retail assets. The role covers daily operations, leasing, financial outcomes, and tenant relations, with the aim of maintaining strong occupancy, improving asset performance, and delivering a positive experience for tenants and customers while staying aligned with company goals, internal policies, and regulatory obligations.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee everyday administration and operations across the assigned retail properties, keeping the premises clean, secure, and properly maintained.
• Manage the full leasing cycle for retail spaces, including tracking vacancies, arranging viewings, screening prospective tenants, negotiating terms, handling lease paperwork, and coordinating move-ins and move-outs.
• Develop productive relationships with tenants by responding quickly and professionally to queries, requests, complaints, and other concerns to support satisfaction and retention.
• Direct and coordinate property management teams, security staff, housekeeping, maintenance crews, and external service providers.
• Track budgets, operating costs, rent collections, arrears, and overall revenue performance to support financial targets.
• Maintain compliance with relevant laws, regulations, health and safety standards, and internal procedures.
• Carry out routine inspections to confirm that retail units, shared spaces, and facilities are well maintained, and initiate preventive or corrective action where required.
• Keep complete records and prepare updates on leasing activity, occupancy, collections, expenses, maintenance, and tenant matters.
• Work closely with Leasing and Marketing teams on initiatives that raise visitor traffic, improve brand presence, and support an effective tenant mix.
• Manage tenant fit-outs, refurbishment activities, and capital improvement works to strengthen property value and improve customer experience.
• Contribute to annual budgeting, financial forecasting, and management reporting.
• Support tenant engagement programs, promotional campaigns, and community events that improve the shopping environment.
• Handle emergencies and property incidents appropriately, ensuring timely escalation and adherence to established procedures.
• Assist with procurement, vendor evaluation, contract administration, and supplier performance monitoring.
• Ensure leases, contracts, correspondence, and other records are accurately maintained and audit-ready.
• Carry out additional tasks as assigned by management.

Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor's degree in Property Management, Real Estate, Business Administration, or a closely related field is required.
• Professional credentials such as CPM, RICS, or an equivalent certification are considered an advantage.
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in retail property management, commercial real estate, or shopping mall management is required.
• Strong understanding of retail leasing, property operations, facilities management, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Proven experience in budgeting, financial control, rental collection, and cost management.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, interpersonal, and customer service abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, team supervision, and performance management skills.
• Proficiency with property management systems and Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and organizational discipline.
• Capability to manage multiple priorities and remain effective under pressure.
• High standards of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and attention to detail.

Selection Criteria - Must Have

• At least 5 years of hands-on experience managing retail properties such as shopping malls, retail plazas, or commercial centres.
• A demonstrated history of success in property management or asset management.
• Practical experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and cost control.
• Solid knowledge of retail lease structures, rental income, and revenue improvement methods.
• Experience in lease negotiation, lease administration, and onboarding new tenants.
• Ability to shape and maintain a balanced and effective tenant mix.
• Strong tenant relationship handling and conflict-resolution skills.
• Experience managing the daily operations of retail properties.
• Knowledge of tenant fit-outs, store openings, maintenance coordination, and facilities oversight.
• Working understanding of property law, lease agreements, health and safety rules, and risk controls.
• Ability to ensure adherence to statutory obligations and company standards.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams, including leasing, administration, facilities, security, housekeeping, maintenance, and marketing support.
• Strong coaching, mentoring, and performance management capability.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• Strong negotiation, relationship-building, and conflict-resolution skills.

Preferred Experience

• Background in facilities management, security operations, maintenance services, and contractor oversight is preferred.
• Knowledge of procurement workflows, service contracts, and vendor management is an advantage.
• Ability to study market trends, benchmark property performance, and identify business opportunities is preferred.
• Experience preparing, analysing, and presenting management reports and performance dashboards is an advantage.

Additional Information

This role is based in Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates, and is a full-time onsite position. The remit includes operational management, tenant service, leasing coordination, financial oversight, compliance, and stakeholder engagement for retail property assets.