Manager - Retail Delivery

About the role

Alef Group is seeking an accomplished Manager - Retail Delivery to support the delivery and operational launch of retail assets in Sharjah. The position focuses on making sure retail spaces are completed to the right design, quality, regulatory, and tenant-readiness standards so they can move smoothly from construction into day-to-day business use.

This role sits at the center of coordination across development, construction, leasing, operations, and facilities management. The goal is to reduce delivery risks, keep handovers on schedule, and ensure retail assets are ready for opening and activation.

What you will do

• Oversee the full retail delivery and handover journey from project completion through operational readiness, ensuring assets are delivered on time, compliant, and ready for activation.
• Liaise with project teams, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders to track progress and secure successful handover milestones.
• Manage testing, commissioning, snagging, and de-snagging so that retail units and common areas are handed over in a defect-free, operationally ready state.
• Assess completion status, technical submissions, and handover packs to confirm all retail assets satisfy approved requirements before acceptance.
• Drive final inspections, authority clearances, and completion certification to support timely opening readiness.
• Check that delivered retail spaces align with approved design intent, brand standards, technical specifications, and quality expectations.
• Carry out regular inspections and audits to monitor construction quality, identify risks, and close issues without delay.
• Ensure adherence to UAE regulations, authority conditions, health and safety rules, and environmental standards to achieve regulatory acceptance.
• Maintain accurate handover records, including as-built drawings, O&M manuals, warranties, asset registers, and operational documentation.
• Partner with Leasing, Retail Operations, and Facilities Management to prepare retail units for tenant fit-out, opening, and business operations.
• Support tenant handover activities by confirming that spaces, utilities, and supporting infrastructure are ready according to agreed delivery terms.
• Assist with tenant technical coordination and solve delivery-related issues to reduce opening delays and improve tenant experience.
• Set up defect liability period processes to close post-handover issues promptly and maintain service standards.
• Work closely with Development, Engineering, Design, Construction, Leasing, Finance, and Legal teams to align delivery work with wider business goals.
• Serve as the main coordination point between project delivery and operational teams to ensure an efficient transition from development to operations.
• Escalate major risks and resolve delivery challenges with management support to keep projects moving forward.
• Coordinate commercial and contractual close-out activities with the relevant stakeholders to complete outstanding obligations.
• Create KPIs, dashboards, and reporting tools to monitor progress, risks, quality, and readiness status.
• Track delivery performance against timelines, budgets, and quality benchmarks to support business targets.
• Prepare regular management updates covering status, key risks, mitigation actions, and handover readiness.
• Introduce governance practices and continuous improvement measures to raise delivery efficiency and stakeholder experience.
• Lead retail delivery team members, coordinators, and specialists to achieve handover goals effectively.
• Build team capability in delivery processes, quality control, stakeholder management, and operational readiness.
• Encourage accountability, collaboration, and customer focus to strengthen team performance and delivery outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Real Estate Development, or a related field.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, RICS, LEED, or similar credentials are preferred.
• At least 5 years of retail delivery management experience with a major retail developer in the UAE.
• Demonstrated experience delivering large-scale retail, commercial, or mixed-use assets from construction completion to operational readiness.
• Strong understanding of the retail development lifecycle, tenant handover requirements, fit-out coordination, and UAE/GCC construction regulations.
• Solid knowledge of retail asset delivery, construction workflows, commissioning, and handover control.
• Strong project management and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Ability to manage several projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-moving environment.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong grasp of quality assurance, compliance, and operational readiness requirements.
• A customer- and tenant-oriented mindset with careful attention to detail.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, CAFM platforms, project management software, and handover management tools.

Additional information

This position is based in Sharjah Emirate, United Arab Emirates, and is a full-time onsite role. No salary, vacancy count, start date, or application deadline was specified in the source.