Category Specialist (Mall Leasing)
The Category Specialist is responsible for developing and executing leasing strategies for an assigned retail category to achieve occupancy, revenue, and tenant mix objectives. The role focuses on identifying and securing the right brands, managing tenant relationships, analyzing market trends, and ensuring the assigned category contributes to the mall's overall commercial success.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement leasing strategies for the assigned retail category.
- Identify, source, and negotiate with prospective tenants and brands aligned with the mall's positioning.
- Manage the end-to-end leasing process, from prospecting and negotiations to lease execution and store opening.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective tenants to drive long-term partnerships.
- Monitor sales performance, occupancy, lease expirations, and market trends to recommend category improvements.
- Conduct regular market scans and competitor analyses to identify emerging brands and retail concepts.
- Recommend and maintain an optimal tenant mix that enhances customer experience and maximizes revenue.
- Coordinate with Marketing, Operations, Engineering, and Design/Fit-Out teams to facilitate tenant onboarding, store openings, and promotional initiatives.
- Prepare leasing proposals, financial analyses, presentations, and reports for management.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, lease agreements, and applicable regulations.
- Assist in lease renewals, relocations, expansions, and tenant retention initiatives.
- Perform other duties related to leasing and category management as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Real Estate Management, Economics, or a related field.
- At least 2–5 years of experience in mall leasing, retail, category management, merchandising, or business development.
- Strong negotiation, networking, and relationship management skills.
- Excellent analytical and financial acumen with the ability to interpret sales and market data.
- Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Highly organized, proactive, and results-oriented.
- Willing to conduct regular market visits and travel as required.
Preferred Experience
- Experience handling retail brands within categories such as Fashion, Food & Beverage, Beauty, Lifestyle, Entertainment, or Services.
- Familiarity with lease administration and commercial leasing processes.
- Experience working in shopping malls, retail developers, or commercial real estate companies.
