Hospitality & Retail Services Specialist

We are seeking a Hospitality & Retail Services Specialist to lead and coordinate retail leasing, tenant management, retail development, and hospitality-related services across the KAUST Campus and Thuwal Corniche areas.

The role will be responsible for developing retail strategies, identifying and negotiating with prospective tenants, managing lease agreements, overseeing retailer onboarding and compliance, and coordinating retail development projects from feasibility and design through construction, commissioning, and lease-up.

The position will also support hospitality and catering services, ensuring high standards of customer experience, food safety, hygiene, HSE, operational compliance, and service quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement retail leasing and commercial strategies aligned with community requirements, market trends, and financial objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, negotiate, and secure suitable retail tenants, including obtaining lease commitments and Letters of Intent (LOIs).
• Prepare, negotiate, administer, and monitor commercial lease agreements and service contracts.
• Conduct market benchmarking, financial analysis, budgeting, and lease economics to support revenue and commercial objectives.
• Manage the complete retailer lifecycle, including onboarding, operational readiness, inspections, compliance monitoring, performance reviews, and exit/clearance.
• Develop and maintain retail inspection, compliance, HSE, hygiene, and service quality programs.
• Manage retail development projects from concept, feasibility, programming, design, permitting, and construction through commissioning and lease-up.
• Coordinate with internal departments, retailers, catering providers, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth retail and hospitality operations.
• Oversee operational, budgetary, and financial activities related to food and non-food retail outlets and associated facilities.
• Coordinate catering services for business functions, community events, and private occasions.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, HSE, quality, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Develop and improve retail operational policies, procedures, systems, dashboards, and reporting processes.
• Monitor customer feedback and complaints and implement initiatives to improve customer and community experience.
• Maintain strong relationships with retail tenants, service providers, catering operators, and internal stakeholders.
• Provide strategic recommendations to management regarding retail planning, business opportunities, risk management, revenue generation, and service improvement.
• Ensure relevant Hospitality and Retail websites, systems, dashboards, and information are accurate and up to date.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Property Management, Marketing, Hospitality Management, or a related discipline.
• Equivalent relevant professional experience may also be considered.
• 5 years of progressive experience in one or more of the following:
• Retail Management
• Commercial Property Leasing
• Hospitality Services Management
• Retail Development
• Tenant/Property Management
• Proven experience in commercial lease negotiation and administration.
• Experience managing tenant relationships and retailer onboarding.
• Experience in retail development projects, preferably covering feasibility, design, construction, permitting, and commissioning.
• Experience with financial analysis, budgeting, lease economics, and commercial strategy.
• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and projects within deadlines and budgets.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Strong knowledge of retail leasing, commercial contracts, tenant management, and retail operations.
• Good understanding of financial modelling, budgeting, revenue management, and lease economics.
• Knowledge of hospitality operations, food safety, hygiene, HSE, and service quality standards.
• Strong project management and stakeholder coordination skills.