Business Development & Site Acquisition Manager – Retail / F&B Expansion

A prestigious and well-established UAE catering company, in partnership with a leading international premium coffee brand, is launching an exciting new retail expansion programme across Dubai and the UAE.

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Business Development & Site Acquisition Manager to lead the identification, negotiation and acquisition of premium locations.

The initial objective is to secure and establish 20 compact premium coffee and food locations within 12–18 months, primarily within corporate office buildings and other high-quality, year-round locations.

This is a results-driven position. The successful candidate will be responsible for building a strong pipeline of opportunities and converting these into commercially attractive operating locations.

Key Responsibilities

· Identify and secure suitable locations across Dubai and the UAE.

· Develop relationships with landlords, developers, asset managers, FM companies and major corporate organisations.

· Target office towers, business parks, healthcare facilities, universities, government/semi-government buildings and premium mixed-use developments.

· Identify and develop multi-site opportunities with major property groups.

· Assess locations based on building population, footfall, competition, demographics and commercial potential.

· Present the concept professionally to landlords and corporate decision-makers.

· Negotiate rental, revenue-share and other commercial terms.

· Manage opportunities from initial contact through to signed agreement and opening.

· Maintain and report on a structured site-acquisition pipeline.

· Identify additional opportunities for office delivery, meeting catering and corporate catering within secured locations.

· Work closely with senior management and operations to achieve rapid site openings.

Skills

The successful candidate should ideally have:

· Proven UAE experience in business development, site acquisition, commercial leasing, retail expansion or property.

· Strong existing relationships within Dubai's landlord, developer, property, FM and corporate sectors.

· Experience dealing directly with senior commercial decision-makers.

· Strong negotiation and presentation skills.

· Excellent knowledge of Dubai's commercial market.

· Ability to identify commercially profitable locations, rather than simply high-footfall sites.

· Excellent English communication skills.

· UAE driving licence and own transport.

· A proactive, independent and highly results-oriented approach.

Experience within F&B, coffee or retail expansion would be advantageous but is not essential. Candidates with a strong UAE commercial-property network and proven site-acquisition experience are particularly encouraged to apply.

Key Performance Objectives

The successful candidate will be measured against tangible results:

Qualified Opportunities → Site Meetings → Proposals → Agreements Signed → Locations Opened

The initial business objective is:

20 operating locations within 12–18 months

with particular emphasis on securing multi-site relationships capable of accelerating expansion.