Vice President, Retail Development

Related•Irvine, CA

69d•Onsite

About The Position

Related California is seeking a Retail Development Senior Project Manager or Vice President, subject to experience and qualifications, to support the development and execution of 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 highly organized, collaborative, and results-oriented development professional who is detailed oriented, commercially sharp, and comfortable navigating complex issues across multiple stakeholders and layered ownership / legal structures — including competitive dynamics given the Project’s location directly across from South Coast Plaza and other dominant regional retail centers.

Requirements

6-10 years of experience in retail or mixed-use development, retail-led development, or comparable owner/operator roles.
Experience supporting large-scale mixed-use projects with solid understanding of retail integration in a mixed-use environment, layered ownership/JV structures, shared infrastructure and complex cost allocations.
Strong retail development project management, analytical, organizational, and commercial skills.
Working knowledge of leasing, merchandising, and retail operations expertise, including experience navigating non-compete and radius-restricted trade areas.
Familiarity with key Orange County retail center comps and demonstrated experience with OC leasing, tenant mix, and operating practices is preferred.
Acumen for building relationships, particularly across retail, F&B and leisure sectors.
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA/Real Estate/Architecture/Construction) a plus.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and eager to grow within a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative development environment.
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

advanced degree (MBA/Real Estate/Architecture/Construction) a plus.

Responsibilities

Support 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.
Support key decision making related to tenant mix, customer experience, public realm integration, and mixed-use interfaces.
Assist in managing leasing strategy in a highly competitive trade area impacted by non-compete and radius restrictions.
Support the development and management of merchandising mix, tenant criteria, and leasing strategies across marketing leasing and operations.
Actively participate in LOI and lease negotiations, lease and tenant evaluation, produce work letters, and where appropriate, retailer joint ventures.
Maintain ongoing market intelligence on key OC retail comps, tenant movement, exclusives, and competitive positioning.
Assist with selection and oversight of third-party leasing agents and commission structures.
Author, maintain and manage the Project’s budget, schedule and project tracker in coordination with overall Bristol development and team.
Manage and advance the project’s plan check and building permits in coordination with the rest of the Bristol development and team.
Manage and participate in project meetings and presentations, including: design and planning meetings, internal and external presentations, project coordination meetings, stakeholder meetings, construction administration meetings, and various workshops.
Conduct recurring market research and other due diligence.
Manage third party consultant contracts, budgets, schedules, scopes of work and deliverables.
Review and summarize existing retail leases, author and maintain existing retail lease databases, and assist in the negotiation and acquisition of existing retail leasehold interests.
Underwrite new development and acquisition opportunities as they may occur.
Author and maintain complex pro formas, budgets and financial forecasts, project reports and investment memoranda that inform key project decisions and milestones.
Support underwriting inputs, presentations, diligence responses, and materials supporting investment strategy.
Support procurement and closing of construction financing, permanent financing and joint venture partnerships including due diligence processing, term sheet evaluation, legal document review and negotiations, title policy review, and other closing logistics.
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.
Provide 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 owner oversight of buyout and procurement, budgets, schedules, reporting, and change order negotiations.
Conduct recurring site walks, OAC meetings, 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.
Coordinate 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.