Senior Specialist Real Estate

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

This role is responsible to support and implement the Real Estate department strategy and helping the continuous improvement of the real estate processes. The role will support the alignment and harmonization of the existing EMC Real Estate teams to ensure there is consistency across the clusters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Preparation of Business Plan Models (using internal template) and lease summary deals for internal approvals.
• Prepare reports and summaries by cluster as needed – rent savings, renewals etc.
• Collaboration across Emerging Markets Central Real Estate team to drive a structured and consistent approach to Portfolio Management and Lease Administration Management.
• Collaboration across Emerging Markets Central Real Estate Team and Store Development Team to ensure consistency and delivery of the Roll-out plan and Monthly financial forecast which includes new stores, renovations, relocations and closures.
• Support the Real Estate Managers in all real estate related functions.
• Drive Real Estate operational ongoing initiatives for Retail initiatives, communicating and tracking progress.
• Support in preparing annual portfolio reviews including but not limited to lease renewals, renovations – work with existing portfolio.
• Review corporate lease agreements and prepare tracking of legal comments for different stakeholders.
• Facilitate and/or take part in the corporate lease negotiations internally and externally.
• Coordinate with Legal Departments to execute all legal documents pertaining to corporate real estate.
• Coordinate between landlords, leasing consultants and internal departments to resolve any corporate leasing related concerns.
• Liaise with finance team (accounts) for all payment related matters i.e. invoices, refunds pertaining to corporate lease contracts.
• Review and record rent reductions and rent savings, using the provided template.
• Ensure Emerging Markets Central lease guidelines is adhered to.
• Maintain ownership of Lease Management System to ensure payment accuracy and control of key lease events, mitigation of financial demands and ensuring compliance to Lease requirements.
• Review, communicate, implement, and ensure compliance of Global related real estate policies.

Key Relationships:

• Internal – Real Estate, Retail Operations, Franchise, Finance, Legal & Compliance, HR, Buying & Merchandising.
• External – Landlords, Managing Agents and external vendors.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Intermediate to advance MS office (PPT, Excel etc) skills.
• Knowledge of basic Excel formulas functions as an advantage: index match, vlookup, pivot tables.
• Strong writing, communication, and project / time management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail in reviewing and abstracting key data from Leases and other contract documentation.
• Proven ability to work cross functionally to achieve goals and objectives.
• Ability to work independently on multiple projects.
• Strong knowledge in Real Estate regulatory controls and policies across UAE.
• Ability to consolidate information from different stakeholders into one document.
• Commercial mindset – availability to analyse basic commercial information (rent comparison, store P&L, offer letters – advantage).

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree – Real Estate, Business Administration, Management is preferable.
• 3-5 years relevant retail real estate experience.
• Knowledge of Lease Management Systems and/or working in a Lease Administration function.
• Experience within Real Estate function in Retail companies is an advantage.
• Fluent in English (written and verbal). Arabic is an advantage.