Director of Retail Leasing

Company

Our client is an award-winning owner-operated real estate management and development company with a focus on multi-family housing, commercial and master planned mixed-use properties. As one of the largest real estate owners in Kansas, they have a strong team of professionals that strive to build or acquire best-in-class commercial assets. The current portfolio includes over 70 properties, 12,000 multi-family units and 3M square feet of commercial space.

Through three generations, our client has developed a solid track record of success and growth. They build, acquire and manage properties with careful attention to quality, design, and people.

Position

The Director of Retail and Office Leasing will oversee and drive leasing strategies for a portfolio of primarily retail and office properties, working to maximize occupancy, tenant satisfaction, and revenue growth. This role requires expertise in commercial real estate, focusing on both retail and office leasing. A primary responsibility will be driving the leasing effort for the company’s new regional mixed-use development.

The Director, in addition to direct leasing, will lead a team of third-party leasing professionals for new leases as well as internal property managers and staff for renewals. The Director will also collaborate closely with property management, marketing, and asset management, and maintain strong relationships with brokers and tenants. The role requires a strategic mindset with a strong understanding of market trends, retail and office dynamics, and financial acumen to enhance property value and revenue.

Location: Overland Park, KS (non-remote, non-hybrid)

Responsibilities

Leasing Strategy Development & Execution:

• Develop and implement comprehensive leasing strategies for both retail and office spaces (for existing and ground-up assets), ensuring optimal tenant mix and property performance.
• Analyze market trends, identify potential leasing opportunities and risks, and lead property repositioning initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to align leasing strategies with broader property investment and financial goals.
• Ensure all leases are structured to meet financial and operational objectives, considering rent structures, terms, and tenant improvement allowances.
• Evaluate lease processes to ensure proactive workflows that enhance tenant experience while compressing the contact to lease cycle time.

Tenant Acquisition and Lease Negotiation:

• Identify and attract high-quality tenants, ranging from established brands to emerging concepts, across retail and office sectors.
• Lead lease negotiations, including setting terms and rent structures, ensuring alignment with the goals of the property owners.
• Proactively manage tenant relationships to address concerns, facilitate lease renewals, expansions, and maintain long-term occupancy.

Portfolio & Property Management:

• Work closely with property management teams to ensure properties are well-maintained, operate efficiently, and meet tenant needs.
• Evaluate and approve tenant build-outs, modifications, and property-related improvements to enhance tenant satisfaction and long-term value.
• Partner with marketing teams to develop campaigns that support leasing efforts.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Set and monitor leasing goals, ensuring alignment with overall leasing and property strategies.
• Support staff development through training and providing growth opportunities.

Stakeholder Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with tenants, and commercial real estate brokers.
• Serve as the key point of contact for all leasing-related matters, ensuring transparency and effective communication with all stakeholders.
• Provide regular reports on leasing performance, market trends, and financial impact to senior management and property ownership.

Market Research & Expansion:

• Stay updated on market trends, consumer behaviors, competitive landscapes, and economic conditions affecting retail and office leasing.
• Proactively seek new leasing opportunities, particularly for high-value or underutilized spaces, and assist in evaluating potential acquisitions and redevelopments.

Financial & Legal Oversight:

• Oversee leasing budgets, including setting rental rates, managing lease incentives, and forecasting revenue impacts.
• Conduct financial analysis and modeling for prospective leases to assess their long-term impact on property value and revenue.
• Ensure all leasing activities comply with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as company policies.
• Coordinate with legal teams to review and finalize lease agreements.

Qualifications

• Established relationships with national retailers, particularly high-end operators.
• Secondary education degree or equivalence, such as a Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business, Finance, or a related field. MBA or Master's degree preferred.
• 10 years of experience in commercial real estate leasing, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role managing both retail and office leasing portfolios, preference given to experience in ground-up developments.
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth, tenant acquisition, and portfolio performance.

Personal Skills & Attributes

• Strong negotiation and relationship-building abilities.
• Expertise in financial modeling, lease structuring, and real estate market analysis.
• Leadership experience with a demonstrated ability to manage and develop teams.
• Proficiency in real estate software (VTS, Deal Manager, Costar, etc.) and property management systems (Yardi, MRI, etc.), as well as the Microsoft Office suite