Commercial Store Expansion Director
Work Set-up: Fully Onsite
Work Schedule: Dayshift | Monday - Friday
The Store Expansion Director (Business Development) is responsible for driving the company’s commercial growth strategy through strategic site acquisition, market expansion, lease negotiation, and commercial business development initiatives.This role leads end-to-end store expansion activities, from market assessment and location scouting to contract negotiation and store opening execution.
The position plays a critical role in identifying high-potential markets, securing profitable commercial locations, building landlord and developer relationships, and ensuring expansion plans align with the company’s long-term commercial objectives and profitability targets.
The ideal candidate has extensive experience in restaurant, QSR, coffee chain, or food retail expansion, with a strong background in real estate, leasing, and multi-site development.
Key Responsibilities
Store Expansion Strategy
Develop and execute nationwide or regional retail expansion strategies aligned with company growth objectives
Identify new market opportunities, high-potential trade areas, and emerging commercial zones
Conduct market feasibility studies, demographic analysis, and competitive assessments
Create expansion pipelines and prioritize store rollout schedules
Evaluate store formats, footprint optimization, and territory coverage opportunities
Monitor retail trends, consumer behavior, and competitor expansion activities
Site Acquisition & Location Management
Lead end-to-end site sourcing and acquisition activities for new retail stores
Scout strategic retail locations including malls, commercial centers, standalone sites, and mixed-use developments
Assess site viability based on foot traffic, accessibility, visibility, demographics, and commercial potential
Conduct financial and operational analysis of proposed sites
Coordinate due diligence, site documentation, and internal approvals
Build and maintain strong relationships with landlords, brokers, developers, and property owners
Lease Negotiation & Contract Management
Lead lease negotiations to secure commercially favorable terms
Review and negotiate rental rates, escalation clauses, fit-out terms, lease tenure, and operational provisions
Collaborate with Legal and Finance teams on contract review and risk mitigation
Manage lease renewals, amendments, and store closure negotiations when necessary
Ensure compliance with lease obligations and regulatory requirements
Maintain centralized lease and expansion documentation
Business Development & Partnerships
Identify strategic business partnerships that support retail growth initiatives
Build relationships with mall operators, commercial developers, franchise partners, and local business stakeholders
Evaluate joint venture, franchise, or partnership opportunities
Support commercial negotiations and partnership agreements
Represent the company in expansion discussions, industry events, and networking engagements
Project Coordination & Store Opening
Coordinate with Construction, Operations, Marketing, Merchandising, IT, and Supply Chain teams to ensure smooth store openings
Track project timelines, budgets, and operational readiness
Monitor pre-opening requirements including permits, utilities, fit-out progress, and vendor coordination
Ensure expansion projects are delivered on schedule and within budget
Resolve issues impacting project timelines or commercial viability
Financial & Commercial Management
Prepare business cases and financial projections for new store investments
Analyze ROI, payback periods, profitability forecasts, and sales potential
Monitor store performance post-opening and assess expansion effectiveness
Recommend corrective actions or optimization initiatives for underperforming locations
Manage expansion budgets and cost controls
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
Lead and mentor the store expansion and business development team
Collaborate closely with Executive Leadership on growth planning and strategic initiatives
Present expansion updates, pipeline status, and commercial recommendations to senior management
Build cross-functional collaboration across Operations, Finance, Legal, Construction, and Marketing departments
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Real Estate Management, Marketing, Finance, or related field
MBA or relevant postgraduate degree is an advantage- 20 years of progressive experience in retail expansion, commercial leasing, business development, or real estate management
At least 5 years in a leadership or director-level role
Strong experience handling multi-site retail expansion projects
Background in retail, F&B, convenience store, pharmacy, supermarket, fashion, or commercial chain operations preferred
Strong understanding of retail trade areas and commercial property dynamics
Proven track record in lease negotiation and site acquisition