Tenant Acquisition Manager – F&B & Retail
Abu Dhabi, UAE

Reporting To: Chief Operations Officer / CEO

Employment Type: Full-Time

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Role Overview:

We are seeking a seasoned Tenant Acquisition Manager with deep expertise in securing F&B and retail tenants for strategically located properties across Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE. The ideal candidate will bring 5–10 years of experience in tenant acquisition, preferably with leading real estate developers or retail groups such as Majid Al Futtaim, and will have a proven track record of onboarding reputable franchise operators, international brands, and high-performing local concepts.

This individual will be responsible for identifying, negotiating, and onboarding tenants across a variety of properties—ranging from community retail hubs to high-traffic commercial sites (including petrol station-based retail clusters and BoxPark-style developments). Strong existing relationships with key decision-makers at franchise groups, brand principals, and regional operators across the GCC is a must.

Key Responsibilities:

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• Develop and execute a proactive tenant acquisition strategy aligned with the company's portfolio goals and site-specific positioning.

• Lead end-to-end negotiations with tenants, from initial pitch and commercial discussions through to LOI, lease signing, and handover coordination.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with F&B operators, retail brand principals, and franchisees across the GCC, with a focus on the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

• Conduct market mapping and competitor analysis to identify tenant gaps and recommend brand mixes for each location.

• Collaborate with internal teams (legal, design, fit-out, operations) to ensure successful onboarding and compliance with lease obligations.

• Maintain a high-quality tenant pipeline, regularly updating CRM and reporting to senior leadership on leasing progress and revenue impact.

• Attend trade shows, brand showcases, and regional franchise forums to foster new relationships and promote available assets.

• Stay up-to-date on industry trends, F&B innovation, and consumer behavior to recommend brand clusters that maximize footfall and revenue.

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Requirements:

• 5-10 years of experience in tenant acquisition, retail leasing, or business development in real estate or retail environments in the UAE is a must.

• Proven success leasing to F&B and lifestyle brands in the UAE, with demonstrable relationships with top-tier operators.

• Experience working at leading developers (e.g., Majid Al Futtaim, Aldar, Nakheel, Alshaya, Landmark Group, etc.).

• Strong negotiation and commercial acumen, with ability to balance brand desirability with site economics.

• Fluent in English; Arabic is a strong advantage.

• Willingness to travel within the GCC for tenant meetings, site tours, and industry events.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Real Estate, Marketing or related field. MBA is a plus.

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Preferred Attributes:

• Deep industry network across F&B, retail, entertainment, and lifestyle concepts.

• Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset and high attention to detail.

• High energy, self-motivated, and results-oriented.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment.