Leasing Manager

About the Role

Site Acquisition and Expansion

• Identify and evaluate new restaurant and QSR locations across the UAE.
• Conduct market, catchment, competitor, footfall, and site-feasibility analysis.
• Lead negotiations with landlords and developers on commercially viable lease terms.
• Manage the acquisition lifecycle from site identification through lease execution and store opening.
• Build relationships with major developers, landlords, and property stakeholders.

Lease Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of active restaurant leases.
• Lead lease renewals, rent reviews, lease restructurings, and renegotiations.
• Deliver rent-reduction and lease-optimization initiatives.
• Maintain lease-expiry schedules and renewal-trigger calendars.
• Prevent lease lapses, penalties, default notices, and compliance breaches.

Approvals and Market Development

• Prepare and submit franchisor or corporate site-approval packages, including RFS or equivalent submissions.
• Coordinate approvals with operations, finance, development, and brand stakeholders.
• Resolve site-approval challenges and drive applications through final approval.
• Monitor real estate trends and competitor activity.
• Develop market-mapping and expansion plans and support relocations, closures, and network restructuring.

Financial and Commercial Analysis

• Conduct lease commercial evaluations and financial modelling.
• Calculate effective rent, rent-free amortisation, turnover-rent breakpoints, and occupancy cost as a percentage of sales.
• Develop rent-comparison and NPV models to support leasing decisions.

Mandatory Requirements

• At least 8 years of commercial real estate and leasing experience.
• At least 5 years of restaurant, QSR, or F&B leasing experience, including at least 3 years within the last 5 years.
• At least 3 years at Leasing Manager level or equivalent with direct negotiation and portfolio ownership responsibility.
• At least 2 years of tenure in the current or most recent role.
• Managed at least 25 active leases.
• Secured and opened at least 8 restaurant sites within the last 3 years.
• Prepared and obtained approval for at least 10 franchisor or corporate approval submissions.