Associate Director - Leasing
Posted date [2026-10-03]
(ID: 52848)
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Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim is one of the most progressive regional family business houses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. |
Job Description and Requirements
Associate Director - LeasingJob Snapshot
Role: Associate Director - Leasing
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Real Estate
Function: Real Estate Leasing-Acquisition
Experience: 15+ years of UAE real estate experience
Job Type: Full Time
Position Overview
Al-Futtaim is seeking an Associate Director - Leasing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to lead leasing performance across its residential and commercial property portfolio. This senior role is responsible for portfolio-wide leasing strategy, revenue growth, occupancy, pricing, portfolio optimization, business development, and the leadership of Leasing and Leasing Administration teams. The position requires extensive UAE real estate experience, strong market relationships, commercial judgment, and the ability to translate asset objectives into measurable leasing results.
Job Details
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Dubai
Industry: Real Estate
Function: Real Estate Leasing-Acquisition
Salary: Not disclosed
Gender: No Preference
Candidate Nationality: Not specified
Job Type: Full Time
Work Arrangement: On-site
Overview of the Role
The Associate Director -
Leasing will take responsibility for the performance of Al-Futtaim\'s residential and commercial leasing portfolio. The role combines strategic portfolio planning with hands-on commercial leadership, covering revenue generation, occupancy management, pricing, lease structures, tenant retention, broker relationships, market positioning, and complex negotiations.
Working closely with Asset Management, Finance, Development, Property Management, Marketing, Legal, and other stakeholders, the Associate Director will ensure leasing decisions support both immediate commercial targets and longer-term asset objectives.
What You Will Do
Leasing Strategy
- Develop and implement leasing strategies across the residential and commercial portfolio.
- Translate business objectives into clear asset-level leasing plans, targets, and performance measures.
- Review market conditions, pricing, demand, vacancy, lease expiries, customer segments, and competitor activity.
- Adjust leasing strategies in response to changing market conditions and portfolio performance.
- Drive annual leasing revenue, occupancy, and year-on-year revenue growth objectives.
Revenue Growth and Portfolio Optimisation
- Identify opportunities to strengthen portfolio financial performance through pricing, rental optimisation, lease structures, inventory management, and customer segmentation.
- Work with Asset Management and Finance to assess the financial implications of key leasing decisions.
- Ensure leasing activity supports long-term asset objectives.
- Focus on sales and leasing revenue performance, rental income growth, and portfolio yield improvement.
Leasing and Occupancy
- Lead initiatives designed to maintain strong occupancy and proactively address vacant inventory.
- Develop approaches for new leases, renewals, expansions, and tenant retention.
- Ensure commercial terms support individual property and wider portfolio objectives.
- Drive vacancy reduction and rental uplift opportunities on renewals.
Business Development and Market Reach
- Build a strong pipeline of prospective customers, tenants, and brokers.
- Use established UAE market relationships to identify new leasing opportunities.
- Expand market reach through existing and new business channels.
- Generate incremental leasing revenue through effective market development.
Broker and Channel Partner Management
- Develop productive relationships with UAE brokers and channel partners.
- Establish clear expectations and monitor partner performance.
- Prioritize relationships with channels that contribute effectively to portfolio objectives.
- Develop new strategic broker relationships to broaden market coverage.
Pricing and Negotiations
- Lead negotiations for high-value and complex sales and leasing transactions.
- Ensure pricing, incentives, and lease structures remain aligned with approved commercial objectives.
- Protect asset value while working toward commercially appropriate transaction outcomes.
- Monitor achieved pricing against approved benchmarks.
Market Intelligence and Positioning
- Maintain a strong understanding of the Dubai Festival City property market, including rental trends, competition, demand, and customer behavior.
- Translate market intelligence into practical recommendations for leasing strategy and property positioning.
- Conduct regular market reviews and identify emerging opportunities.
End-to-End Transaction Management
- Oversee the complete leasing transaction lifecycle from lead generation and negotiation through contract execution.
- Coordinate with Leasing Administration, Legal, Finance, and relevant internal stakeholders.
- Ensure transactions comply with applicable UAE regulations and internal requirements.
- Maintain accurate documentation and support completion within agreed timelines.
Team Leadership and Capability Development
- Lead the Leasing and Leasing Administration teams toward portfolio objectives.
- Establish clear targets, performance expectations, and accountability.
- Monitor team performance and productivity.
- Develop team capability to support consistent leasing execution and portfolio performance.
Cross-Functional Stakeholder Management
- Work closely with Asset Management, Development, Property Management, Finance, Marketing, Legal, and other functions.
- Provide leasing insight for asset planning and strategic pricing decisions.
- Coordinate cross-functional initiatives affecting leasing performance.
- Address issues promptly to maintain transaction and portfolio momentum.
Required Skills
- Strategic leasing leadership with the ability to convert portfolio objectives into measurable leasing plans.
- Strong knowledge of UAE property values, market demand, competition, customer behavior, and regulatory requirements.
- Advanced negotiation and influencing capability for complex commercial transactions.
- Leadership experience with a demonstrated ability to develop high-performing teams.
- Strong financial and analytical capability covering pricing, forecasting, and revenue optimization.
- Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and relevant CRM systems.
What Qualifies You for the Role
- 15+ years of UAE real estate experience covering residential and commercial leasing.
- Proven experience delivering significant leasing revenue targets.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute portfolio-level leasing strategies.
- Strong knowledge of UAE property market dynamics and DLD-RERA regulations.
- Established relationships across the UAE broker market.
- Ability to generate new business through professional and market relationships.
- Experience leading Sales, Leasing, and Leasing Administration teams.
- Experience managing the complete leasing transaction lifecycle.
- Bachelor\'s degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Marketing, or a related discipline.
- MBA or a relevant postgraduate qualification is advantageous.
- RICS, CCIM, or an equivalent professional real estate qualification is an advantage.
About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate
Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is Al-Futtaim\'s real estate development and operations arm, responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio across the MENA region. Its activities span residential, business, retail, tourism, educational, and healthcare developments, covering the property lifecycle from origination, planning and development through sales, leasing, operations, and management.
The portfolio includes large-scale mixed-use destinations such as Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City, with the business focused on developing and managing properties and creating long-term value for customers and communities.
Working closely with Asset Management, Finance, Development, Property Management, Marketing, Legal, and other stakeholders, the Associate Director will ensure leasing decisions support both immediate commercial targets and longer-term asset objectives.
What You Will Do
Leasing Strategy
- Develop and implement leasing strategies across the residential and commercial portfolio.
- Translate business objectives into clear asset-level leasing plans, targets, and performance measures.
- Review market conditions, pricing, demand, vacancy, lease expiries, customer segments, and competitor activity.
- Adjust leasing strategies in response to changing market conditions and portfolio performance.
- Drive annual leasing revenue, occupancy, and year-on-year revenue growth objectives.
Revenue Growth and Portfolio Optimisation
- Identify opportunities to strengthen portfolio financial performance through pricing, rental optimisation, lease structures, inventory management, and customer segmentation.
- Work with Asset Management and Finance to assess the financial implications of key leasing decisions.
- Ensure leasing activity supports long-term asset objectives.
- Focus on sales and leasing revenue performance, rental income growth, and portfolio yield improvement.
Leasing and Occupancy
- Lead initiatives designed to maintain strong occupancy and proactively address vacant inventory.
- Develop approaches for new leases, renewals, expansions, and tenant retention.
- Ensure commercial terms support individual property and wider portfolio objectives.
- Drive vacancy reduction and rental uplift opportunities on renewals.
Business Development and Market Reach
- Build a strong pipeline of prospective customers, tenants, and brokers.
- Use established UAE market relationships to identify new leasing opportunities.
- Expand market reach through existing and new business channels.
- Generate incremental leasing revenue through effective market development.
Broker and Channel Partner Management
- Develop productive relationships with UAE brokers and channel partners.
- Establish clear expectations and monitor partner performance.
- Prioritize relationships with channels that contribute effectively to portfolio objectives.
- Develop new strategic broker relationships to broaden market coverage.
Pricing and Negotiations
- Lead negotiations for high-value and complex sales and leasing transactions.
- Ensure pricing, incentives, and lease structures remain aligned with approved commercial objectives.
- Protect asset value while working toward commercially appropriate transaction outcomes.
- Monitor achieved pricing against approved benchmarks.
Market Intelligence and Positioning
- Maintain a strong understanding of the Dubai Festival City property market, including rental trends, competition, demand, and customer behavior.
- Translate market intelligence into practical recommendations for leasing strategy and property positioning.
- Conduct regular market reviews and identify emerging opportunities.
End-to-End Transaction Management
- Oversee the complete leasing transaction lifecycle from lead generation and negotiation through contract execution.
- Coordinate with Leasing Administration, Legal, Finance, and relevant internal stakeholders.
- Ensure transactions comply with applicable UAE regulations and internal requirements.
- Maintain accurate documentation and support completion within agreed timelines.
Team Leadership and Capability Development
- Lead the Leasing and Leasing Administration teams toward portfolio objectives.
- Establish clear targets, performance expectations, and accountability.
- Monitor team performance and productivity.
- Develop team capability to support consistent leasing execution and portfolio performance.
Cross-Functional Stakeholder Management
- Work closely with Asset Management, Development, Property Management, Finance, Marketing, Legal, and other functions.
- Provide leasing insight for asset planning and strategic pricing decisions.
- Coordinate cross-functional initiatives affecting leasing performance.
- Address issues promptly to maintain transaction and portfolio momentum.
Required Skills
- Strategic leasing leadership with the ability to convert portfolio objectives into measurable leasing plans.
- Strong knowledge of UAE property values, market demand, competition, customer behavior, and regulatory requirements.
- Advanced negotiation and influencing capability for complex commercial transactions.
- Leadership experience with a demonstrated ability to develop high-performing teams.
- Strong financial and analytical capability covering pricing, forecasting, and revenue optimization.
- Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and relevant CRM systems.
What Qualifies You for the Role
- 15+ years of UAE real estate experience covering residential and commercial leasing.
- Proven experience delivering significant leasing revenue targets.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute portfolio-level leasing strategies.
- Strong knowledge of UAE property market dynamics and DLD-RERA regulations.
- Established relationships across the UAE broker market.
- Ability to generate new business through professional and market relationships.
- Experience leading Sales, Leasing, and Leasing Administration teams.
- Experience managing the complete leasing transaction lifecycle.
- Bachelor\'s degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Marketing, or a related discipline.
- MBA or a relevant postgraduate qualification is advantageous.
- RICS, CCIM, or an equivalent professional real estate qualification is an advantage.
About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate
Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is Al-Futtaim\'s real estate development and operations arm, responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio across the MENA region. Its activities span residential, business, retail, tourism, educational, and healthcare developments, covering the property lifecycle from origination, planning and development through sales, leasing, operations, and management.
The portfolio includes large-scale mixed-use destinations such as Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City, with the business focused on developing and managing properties and creating long-term value for customers and communities.
