Talent HQ

SUMMARY:  Overall management of the operations, leasing/specialty leasing, construction, tenant relations, accounting, marketing, guest services and public relations of a unique mall within the guidelines of quality standards and operational goals and objectives established by our client.  Responsible for increasing the economic value of the property to include profit/loss accountability.

PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operations

• Focus on the objective of providing a best-in-class shopping, dining, parking, and public space environment.
• Administer effective management programs to help support the overall objectives and goals.
• Help to implement the leasing strategy; with the Leasing Manager, show retail space and interact with national, local, and regional tenants to enhance property income.
• Manage all activities associated with Retail Operations.
• Establish and implement operating procedures associated with the parking area.
• Oversee procedures associated with recycling, composting and trash hauling for all uses at the project.
• Prepare and implement an emergency preparedness training program.

Vendor Management

• Ensure thorough contract negotiations and administration.
• Ensure all contracts are competitively bid and administered per the contract terms. Contracts include but are not limited to third-party maintenance, security, vertical transportation, and landscaping.
• Implementing/overseeing HVAC preventative maintenance program, etc.
• Ensure a high level of customer service, safety, and security of the asset. Monitor and evaluate daily reports and incident reports to recognize trends and act accordingly and maintain a constant level of safety and security.

Personnel Management

• Develop and maintain a qualified leasing, marketing, maintenance, housekeeping, and administration staff to support the operations of the mall. Staff will fulfill accounting administrative and marketing/programming responsibilities.
• Be responsible for staff coordination, personnel administration, and performance evaluations.
• Hold weekly property management meetings; monthly asset management and accounting reprojection meetings.

Tenant Relations/Lease Administration

• Ensure tenant operation is in accordance with lease provisions.
• Interpret and enforce lease covenants, ensure timely collection of rents, sales reports, insurance certificates, and other lease required documents.
• Work closely with tenants to understand their performance and sales trends.
• Build relationships with tenants and managers to better understand and promote their sales goals and current sales trends.
• Understand the core consumer for tenants to promote an environment that will improve tenant success.
• Ensure tenant operations are in full compliance with all established property rules and regulations.

Public Relations

• Establish and maintain open and productive communication with community leaders, government officials, vendors, cultural/civic institutions, and the general public. Specifically, establish and maintain a working relationship with the Business District, Police Department, Councilmember, and local businesses.
• Programming/entertainment, social media/influencer campaigns, partnerships with well-established Houston institutions such as Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Houston Zoo, Museum of Fine Arts, Holocaust Museum Houston, Houston Dynamo, Connect Communities, YMCA, etc., overseeing PR and marketing, including negotiating agreements.
• Build a working relationship with neighboring property owners.
• Be familiar with the local market firsthand by driving to the surrounding area to confirm all information gathered locally.
• Supervise marketing programs and strategy for the Retail and Non-Retail components of the Project. Oversee all marketing programs with the Director of Marketing upon approval of Ownership and Associations as applicable.
• Lead entire mall operation and team with an overarching goal of increasing profitability through the creation/strengthening of authentic environment that serves as the central gathering place for Latinos in Houston.
• Initiatives to help create that environment include enhancing merchandise/tenant mix (including non-retail uses), a significant focus on placemaking, which includes the creation indoor and outdoor spaces (culinary studio, indoor soccer/futsal fields, artist and/or maker space) either directly or through third parties.

Tenant Construction/Capital Construction

• Lead the negotiations and awarding of contracts in all project areas; oversee their management and administration.
• Represent Property Management interests during the construction process including site visits, review of design, and construction plans. Proactively implement changes based on operational lessons learned from past project experience.
• Responsible for the operational project/community risk management.
• Monitor tenant construction for compliance. Ensure all required tenant documentation is obtained in a timely manner.

Consumer Focus

• Increase guest satisfaction through operational standards including clean and maintained grounds, onsite security and safety procedures, and personalized guest experiences.
• Effectively manage the property’s website and marketing efforts.
• Optimize parking processes to enhance a positive consumer experience.
• Evaluating/overseeing possible initiatives such as valet parking and curbside pickup.

Revenue Support

• Understand the market and prepare the property for future growth by maintaining knowledge of community issues, new development, and area demographics.
• Ensure all lease and license agreements meet full compliance.
• Work closely with the leasing representative to have knowledge of any vacant spaces, upcoming tours, and presentation of new spaces to assist in meeting leasing goals.
• Coordinate with Leasing team to support tenant renewal objectives.

Accounting/Financial Reporting

• Oversee financial operating results of the retail center to enhance cash flow and profits.
• Prepare and manage the properties’ annual capital and operating expense budgets.
• Oversee preparation of annual budgets for review and approval by Ownership and Associations.
• Work closely with the Retail Asset Management team to achieve ownership property objectives.
• Exercise operational expense strategies for the property.
• Through multiple forecasting methods anticipate upcoming events that could have a negative effect on the budget.
• Implement a capital expense plan for all long- and short-term projects.
• Effectively manage Accounts Receivable and resolve past due amounts expeditiously.
• Prepare monthly management reports, maintain effective communications with owners, and maintain appropriate documentation of critical items.
• Prepare the Annual Business Plan, Marketing Plan and Operating Budget; lead the presentation required by Ownership.
• Identify capital expenditure requirements necessary to ensure the long-term asset value of the properties.
• Identify major variances with the Business Plan or Operating Budget and assist to determine necessary actions.
• Ensure that all required financial information is submitted in an accurate and timely manner.
• Responsible for tracking and contributing to all aspects of income generation. This includes short-term / specialty leasing, event, and sponsorship income, as well as other income-producing programs.
• Maintain income and expense controls.

Minimum Requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field from an accredited institution.
• 10+ years in the retail industry, preferably with exposure to/experience with leasing, management, placemaking, marketing, etc.
• Preferably bilingual and culturally familiar with the Latino community, including an understanding of nuances between various Latino nationalities / degrees of assimilation.
• P&L responsibility and budgetary experience.
• Strong initiative, interpersonal skills, and customer service orientation.
• Ability to maintain a calm demeanor in emergencies.

About Poline Search Partners

Poline Search Partners is an international executive search firm specializing in the shopping center industry. We serve property owners, developers, retailers and service providers who are seeking remarkable talent and work to align them with candidates who are eager for new growth opportunities. Since 1979, our team has been connecting companies and candidates with a commitment to integrity and client satisfaction—making us the industry’s most trusted leader in recruitment.

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