Managing Director, Retail Development

Managing Director, Retail Development Riyadh, Saudi Arabia MRG Global has been appointed on a highly confidential search for a Managing Director, Retail Development for one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant mixed-use developments. Reporting into senior Development leadership, this person will take full ownership of a substantial retail portfolio, building the team, operating structure, governance and delivery capability required to take multiple retail formats from strategy through to opening. The portfolio spans three distinct areas; embedded retail within wider office, residential and mixed-use developments, community retail, including neighbourhood centres, strip retail, grocery anchors and most importantly, large scale destination retail. As the successful candidate, you will understand the full retail development lifecycle, from business case, development planning and commercial strategy through design, tenant requirements, leasing, box delivery and opening. You will be expected to challenge development plans, identify commercial and delivery risks early, make clear recommendations to senior leadership and independently run the development programme. Our client is looking for an established retail development leader with: • Significant leadership experience across major retail and mixed-use developments. • Strong knowledge of the Middle East retail property market, ideally gained within the GCC. • Experience across more than one retail typology, including destination malls, community retail and embedded mixed-use retail. • A strong network across regional retailers, developers, operators, brands and the leasing community. • First-hand experience negotiating major retail transactions and working directly with tenants and operators. • Strong commercial, development and delivery judgement, rather than a background focused solely on leasing or retail operations. • Experience building and leading senior multidisciplinary teams. • The credibility to operate with senior executives, challenge assumptions and represent the Retail Business Unit at leadership level. This is a Managing Director-level appointment based in Riyadh, with a competitive executive package. Given the confidential nature of the mandate, further details will only be shared with suitably qualified individuals following an initial discussion with MRG.

Take full ownership of a substantial retail portfolio, building the team, operating structure, governance and delivery capability required to take multiple retail formats from strategy through to opening. Understand the full retail development lifecycle, from business case, development planning and commercial strategy through design, tenant requirements, leasing, box delivery and opening. Challenge development plans, identify commercial and delivery risks early, make clear recommendations to senior leadership and independently run the development programme.