Senior Vice President, Retail Development
About The Position
Related California is seeking a Retail Development Senior Vice President to lead and execute the retail strategy, delivery, and ongoing asset performance for the retail component of Related Bristol, a transformational, multi-phase mixed-use redevelopment in Orange County. This role will serve as an integral member of the Bristol development team and will be responsible for driving retail performance across the full lifecycle — from planning and visioning through design, construction execution, leasing, tenant deliveries, and stabilized operations. The ideal candidate is a high-executive-functioning, results-oriented owner-side manager who is detailed oriented, highly organized, commercially sharp, and comfortable navigating complex issues across multiple stakeholders and layered ownership / legal structures — including sophisticated competitive dynamics given the Project’s location directly across from South Coast Plaza and other dominant regional retail centers.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in retail or mixed-use development, retail-led development, or comparable owner/operator roles.
- Proven success executing large-scale mixed-use projects with deep understanding of retail integration in a mixed-use environment, layered ownership/JV structures, shared infrastructure and complex cost allocations.
- Strong leasing, merchandising, and retail operations expertise, including experience navigating non-compete and radius-restricted trade areas.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen.
- Network of relationships, particularly across retail, F&B and leisure sectors.
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA/Real Estate/Architecture/Construction) a plus.
- High executive-functioning senior manager; organized, detailed and results-oriented.
- Strong communicator able to navigate complex issues and drive alignment across stakeholders.
- Collaborative, agile team player supporting a multi-disciplinary leadership structure.
- Sound judgment, integrity and credibility representing ownership in high-stakes negotiations.
- Strong external relationship management skills with the ability to navigate sensitive competitive dynamics and broker/tenant relationships in a high-profile market.
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with key Orange County retail center comps and demonstrated experience with OC leasing, tenant mix, and operating practices is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead retail strategy for a large-scale, multi-phase mixed-use project including phasing, program, economics, delivery, and long-term performance.
- Coordinate across development, construction, leasing, capital markets, legal, marketing, and asset management to align retail execution with overall project objectives.
- Drive key decisions related to tenant mix, customer experience, public realm integration, and mixed-use interfaces.
- Manage leasing strategy in a highly competitive trade area impacted by non-compete and radius restrictions.
- Develop and manage merchandising mix, tenant criteria, and leasing strategies across marketing leasing and operations.
- Actively participate in LOI and lease negotiations, including creative structuring to address competitive restrictions and, where appropriate, retailer joint ventures.
- Maintain ongoing market intelligence on key OC retail comps, tenant movement, exclusives, and competitive positioning.
- Selection, negotiation and oversight of third-party leasing agents and commission structures.
- Adept with development and operating pro formas, including reviewing, stress-testing, and actively driving financial feasibility to inform key project decisions.
- Support procurement and closing of construction financing, permanent financing and joint venture partnerships.
- Support the preparation of quarterly reports with the broader Bristol team for Related’s Investment Committee and third-party partners covering leasing, construction, operations, budgets, and key decision items.
- Support underwriting inputs, presentations, diligence responses, and materials supporting investment strategy.
- Active owner oversight of retail operations in coordination with the Property Manager, including review and approvals of budgets, forecasts, CapEx, reporting, and annual reconciliations.
- Oversee the pipeline of leasing transactions, renewals and rent reviews to drive value.
- Manage investor, tenant, and stakeholder relationships.
- Actively oversee retail construction execution including buyout support, procurement coordination, budgets, schedules, reporting, and change order negotiations.
- Conduct recurring site walks and manage issue resolution tied to schedule, cost, design intent, and tenant delivery.
- Support the project’s overall master planning, retail integration, design and plan check processes with a focus on placemaking, design excellence, and long-term value creation.
- Drive retail technical execution including tenant criteria integration, servicing/loading, back-of-house planning, storefront design standards, and signage/wayfinding.
- Coordinate tenant delivery requirements across shell/core turnover, TI coordination, and opening readiness.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
1-10 employees
