Real Estate Lead

About Cult Stores: Cult Stores is our rapidly expanding retail division, offering a curated selection of sportswear, activewear, fitness equipment, and nutritional supplements. We are committed to providing high-quality, innovative products that meet the diverse needs of our fitness community. Cult Stores is a key player in the Indian sportswear market, directly competing with major brands like Decathlon, Puma, and Adidas. The Opportunity: We are seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Head of Real Estate to lead the ambitious expansion of Cult Stores across India. This pivotal role requires a strategic visionary with a proven track record in retail business development, real estate, and forging strong partnerships. The ideal candidate will be instrumental in identifying new market opportunities, securing prime retail locations, and driving significant growth for our retail footprint. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Expansion & Growth: Develop and execute a comprehensive national expansion strategy for Cult Stores, identifying and prioritizing key markets and locations for new store openings. Market Analysis & Site Selection: Conduct thorough market research, competitive analysis, and demographic studies to identify high-potential areas. Lead the end-to-end process of site selection, including feasibility studies and site visits for new retail spaces. Negotiation & Deal Closure: Lead all negotiations for lease agreements, purchase agreements, and other contracts related to new store acquisitions and partnerships, ensuring favorable terms for Cult. Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with landlords, real estate developers, brokers, and other key stakeholders to secure advantageous terms and locations. Financial Planning & Budgeting: Develop and manage budgets for new store development, ensuring cost-effectiveness and adherence to financial targets. Conduct financial modeling and ROI analysis for potential new sites. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams including Retail Operations, Marketing, Legal, Finance, and Design & Build to ensure seamless execution of store launches and ongoing operational success. Partnership Development: Identify and explore potential strategic partnerships that can accelerate Cult Stores' growth and market penetration. Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing business development team capable of executing aggressive expansion plans. Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for business development activities, monitor progress, and provide regular reports to senior leadership. What We're Looking For: Experience: 7+ years of progressive experience in business development, real estate, or retail expansion, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role. Proven track record of successfully expanding a retail footprint, ideally within the sports, fitness, or fashion retail sectors in India. Demonstrable experience in commercial real estate negotiations, lease management, and property acquisition. Skills: Exceptional strategic thinking and analytical abilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making. Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and ROI analysis. Outstanding negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to build and nurture strong professional relationships. Excellent leadership and team management capabilities. Proficiency in project management and execution. Attributes: Deep understanding of the Indian retail landscape and consumer behavior. Results-oriented with a strong drive to achieve ambitious growth targets. Proactive, self-motivated, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Passion for sports, fitness, and the Cult brand mission. Why Join Cult? This is an incredible opportunity to be at the forefront of Cult's retail growth story. You will play a critical role in shaping the future of Cult Stores, directly impacting our reach and ability to empower more individuals to lead healthier lives. We offer a challenging yet rewarding environment, a passionate team, and the chance to make a significant impact.