Director Retail & Commercial Leasing

Job Title

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Retail and Commercial Leasing department, including oversight of retail/commercial spaces, garage leasing, storage units, and community centers.
• Develop and execute leasing strategies to optimize retail occupancy, tenant mix, and long-term revenue performance across shopping centers and commercial corridors.
• Oversee leasing negotiations, renewals, and tenant retention strategies to maintain stable occupancy and maximize rent per square foot.
• Manage a combined departmental budget, including review and approval of procurement requisitions.
• Oversee the operations of malls and commercial spaces, ensuring compliance with safety standards, maintenance protocols, and brand presentation through routine inspections and cross-departmental coordination.
• Partner with internal teams (Maintenance, Janitorial, Security, and Capital Projects) to ensure commercial spaces are maintained to a high standard and aligned with leasing expectations.
• Provide oversight for financial planning and execution of community engagement programs and events to drive foot traffic and support retail tenant success.
• Analyze operational and financial reports (including occupancy trends, rent rolls, and revenue performance) to identify opportunities for increased NOI and improved asset utilization.
• Oversee reporting and reconciliation of daily transient cash collections and bank deposits totaling more than $450,000 annually.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements governing commercial tenancies, including review and approval of lease applications, renewals, assignments, and related documentation.
• Ensure all retail tenants operate in accordance with lease terms, including use clauses, insurance requirements, and maintenance responsibilities.
• Coordinate with legal and executive leadership on lease enforcement, defaults, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Conduct joint inspections with municipal agencies (FDNY, Department of Health, Department of Buildings) to ensure ongoing compliance of commercial spaces with all applicable codes and regulations.
• Oversee scheduling, utilization, and rental agreements for community spaces supporting approximately 60 organizations, ensuring proper documentation, policy adherence, and optimal space utilization.
• Partner with Legal, Safety, and cross-functional teams to secure permits and ensure full compliance for commercial buildouts, alterations, and capital improvements.
• Lead lease negotiations and oversee the drafting, review, and execution of commercial agreements, present key deal terms, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval.
• Review lease violations and oversee investigative processes, ensuring consistent enforcement of lease terms and mitigation of operational and legal risk.
• Serve as the primary liaison with external brokerage partners, overseeing marketing strategy, tenant acquisition, and deal structuring to optimize occupancy and revenue.
• Represent the organization in legal proceedings and administrative hearings related to commercial tenancy matters.
• Establish and implement departmental policies, procedures, and internal controls to strengthen leasing operations and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Represent the Commercial Leasing department at Board, Committee, and stakeholder meetings, providing strategic updates and recommendations.
• Oversee the preparation and delivery of monthly operational and financial performance reports, including analysis of key metrics and trends.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Real Estate, Property Management, or a related field required.
• Master's degree (MBA or related or relevant certifications (e.g., CPM, CCIM, NYS Real Estate Broker License), preferred.
• RAM Certification, preferred.

Work Experience and Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing cross-functional teams and large-scale retail and commercial operations, including shopping centers or multi-tenant environments.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in retail and commercial property management, with a strong emphasis on retail leasing and operations.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating retail leases and commercial contracts, including new deals, renewals, and tenant restructures.
• Proven record of accomplishment of executing leasing strategies that optimize tenant mix, increase occupancy, and maximize revenue per square foot.
• Strong experience in strategic planning and execution for large-scale, multi-use retail and commercial portfolios.
• Working knowledge of NYC Building Codes, zoning regulations, and compliance requirements specific to retail and commercial spaces.
• Experience managing departmental budgets, financial reporting, and forecasting, with a focus on revenue performance and NOI growth.

Physical Requirements:

• Persons performing service in this position classification may routinely exert up to 20 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. This type of work will involve regular walking or standing for extended periods of time. It may involve stooping or bending. Handling and working with various materials and objects are important aspects of this job.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable a person to perform the essential functions of the job.

***Riverbay Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ***