Real Estate Manager

SUMMARY:

We are recruiting a highly experienced Real Estate Manager (Rest of Africa) for a leading retail organisation, based at their Cape Town Head Office. This role is responsible for driving the expansion and optimisation of the retail property portfolio across Africa. The successful candidate will play a key role in identifying high-potential trading locations, negotiating complex lease agreements, and structuring commercially viable deals that support long-term growth. The position requires a strategic thinker with deep knowledge of the African retail property landscape, strong financial acumen, and proven experience in lease negotiations, site selection, and stakeholder management. This individual will work closely with senior leadership to unlock value across existing and new sites, ensuring alignment with business objectives and market opportunities.

POSITION INFO:

Key Responsibilities:

Retail Space Acquisition & Leasing

• Lead negotiations for retail leases, renewals, and store expansions across Africa
• Identify and secure high-potential retail locations aligned to business growth strategy
• Negotiate favourable lease terms, rental structures, and commercial conditions

Deal Structuring & Negotiations

• Structure and conclude complex real estate deals in line with business objectives
• Build and maintain strong relationships with landlords, developers, and brokers
• Evaluate and optimise existing lease agreements, including relocations and renewals
• Identify underperforming sites and implement improvement strategies

Market Research & Site Selection

• Conduct in-depth market analysis to identify new opportunities and emerging markets
• Assess demographics, foot traffic, competitor positioning, and accessibility
• Evaluate sites using key performance indicators to ensure optimal location selection

Financial Analysis & Budgeting

• Develop financial models to assess deal feasibility and ROI
• Monitor rent-to-revenue ratios and overall property performance
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting for real estate transactions

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and company requirements
• Identify and mitigate risks related to leases and market conditions
• Resolve property-related issues, including maintenance and landlord disputes

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with internal teams across multiple divisions
• Build strong external networks within the property and retail sectors
• Engage with senior leadership on portfolio performance and strategic opportunities