Director of Retail Leasing

Company Description:

Our Client is a real estate development and management company located in Southeastern Pennsylvania that specializes in first class, high quality, community, neighborhood and regional retail projects. With twenty (20) retail properties totaling over six (6) million square feet, and a management group committed to meeting our tenants' needs, we have earned the reputation as the premier retail development company in the region.

Position Summary:

The Director of Leasing will play a dual role as both a strategic dealmaker and team leader, responsible for driving leasing activity across our clients retail portfolio and managing a small team of leasing professionals. This individual will oversee all aspects of the leasing process — from identifying and securing tenants to negotiating lease terms and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders — while providing mentorship and structure to junior leasing representatives.

Job Description:

To perform the customary duties and obligations of your position, which shall consist of, but not be exclusive of:

• Responsible for supervising, overseeing, training and coordinating leasing representatives in implementing the leasing programs as assigned.
• Responsible for obtaining qualified leads and securing tenants to lease in­line space on existing and proposed projects including directly/supervising negotiating the lease transaction to conclusion with counsel.
• Responsible for networking and developing relationships with the retail brokerage community and retailers.
• Responsible to travel to meet with retailers, brokers, lenders, community leaders.
• Responsible to work with employees at all levels, tenants and all related professionals in the industry.

Specific Duties:

• Review the portfolio's competitive position and to develop new markets using current, up-to-date, and accurate sales aids, advertising and promotional programs, assist in the maintenance of company web­site.
• Negotiate letters of intent stipulating the basic economic terms and conditions of a deal and negotiating the lease agreement by holding discussions with tenants, brokers and attorneys.
• Negotiate favorable renewals in accordance with the property operating budget for existing tenants.
• Develop and recommend cost savings, marketing and innovative programs to ensure a competitive advantage for the overall portfolio and individual properties.
• Provide follow-up support on all existing and potential tenant activities. Coordinate with the development/property management departments for the landlord's work, cost requests, and reconditioning existing spaces in accordance with the tenant's agreement.
• Travel to meet with brokers, retailers, community leaders, tenants and potential tenants to ensure that appropriate public relations, marketing plans and image maintained and enhanced.
• Assist the accounting department and outside counsel with rent collection and eviction efforts when requested.
• Responsible for tenant assignment, transfer, and subletting requests.
• Responsible for the preparation of the annual operating budget, forecasting, planning and leasing projections as they relate to the properties, occupancy rates and lease expiration dates;
• When necessary, meet with local government officials to assist a tenant in the approval process;
• Participate in local and national ICSC functions where assigned;
• Utilizing the corporation's business goals, work with to identify annual individual goals and objectives;
• Additional tasks and responsibilities as assigned;

Responsibility:

• Aspects of land acquisitions & land entitlement, planning, engineering approvals (i.e. DEP, Corp of Engineering, NJDOT, PADOT), and building approvals, etc.;
• Ensure accurate and timely information to communicate with the Leasing and Finance Departments;
• Involved with due diligence for the acquisition of land and shopping center acquisitions;
• Involved with travel, communicate with all levels of Company associates, work with Tenants, Attorneys, Contractors, Municipalities, and State Agencies, and work extended hours;
• Manage Tenant coordination including, but limited to, Tenant turnover, permitting, and opening;
• Review Tenant plans;
• Participate in land development field operations, construction administration and process and project planning;
• Interface with joint venture partners

Qualifications:

• Approximately 10+ years of retail leasing experience, ideally with exposure to both small-shop and big-box tenants.
• Prior ownership-side experience preferred; candidates from brokerage will also be considered if they demonstrate strong landlord representation skills.
• Proven ability to run the full lease transaction cycle — from sourcing and LOI negotiation through lease execution.
• Experience working with national tenants preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor leasing staff, while maintaining accountability for overall portfolio performance.
• Ability to travel locally throughout the portfolio (properties are generally within a two-hour radius of the corporate office).
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and relationship-driven professional with strong sales acumen and a disciplined approach to deal-making.
• In-office role (non-remote position).