Director Retail & Commercial Leasing

Riverbay Corporation•New York, NY

About The Position

The Director of Retail & Commercial Leasing will provide strategic leadership and direction for the Retail and Commercial Leasing department. This role oversees retail/commercial spaces, garage leasing, storage units, and community centers. The position involves developing and executing leasing strategies to optimize retail occupancy, tenant mix, and long-term revenue performance. Responsibilities include managing leasing negotiations, renewals, tenant retention, and overseeing departmental budgets. The Director will also ensure compliance with safety standards, maintenance protocols, and brand presentation through routine inspections and coordination with internal teams such as Maintenance, Janitorial, Security, and Capital Projects. Financial planning and execution of community engagement programs to drive foot traffic and support retail tenants are also key aspects of this role. The position requires analyzing operational and financial reports to identify opportunities for increased NOI and improved asset utilization, as well as overseeing the reconciliation of daily cash collections. Compliance with regulatory requirements governing commercial tenancies, lease enforcement, and risk mitigation are critical. The Director will coordinate with legal and executive leadership, conduct joint inspections with municipal agencies, and oversee scheduling and rental agreements for community spaces. They will also partner with various teams to secure permits and ensure compliance for commercial buildouts and improvements. Leading lease negotiations, drafting and reviewing commercial agreements, and presenting recommendations to the Board of Directors are essential. The role involves representing the organization in legal proceedings and establishing departmental policies and procedures. The Director will represent the department at Board and stakeholder meetings, providing strategic updates and overseeing performance reports. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Real Estate, Property Management, or a related field required.
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.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (MBA or related or relevant certifications (e.g., CPM, CCIM, NYS Real Estate Broker License), preferred.
RAM Certification, preferred.

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.