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Corporate Real Estate Leasing Director VP

Location:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Posted:
April 09, 2021

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Resume:

Luann Parker

Executive Summary

Strategic Planning & Development • Contract Negotiation • Project & Facilities Management Accomplished real estate and development management executive with more than 25 years’ experience. A forward thinking and driven professional with proven ability to manage real estate portfolios in excess of 13 million square feet and up to

$140M in occupancy costs. Expertise providing strategic direction and coaching to real estate and construction personnel on site selection, contract negotiation and construction deliverables. Successful in managing cross-functional relationships through thought leadership and responsiveness to all real estate and construction related matters. Key Competencies

Negotiation of Contracts • Comprehensive knowledge of Real Estate Agreements • Construction Management Site Selection • Asset/Property Management • Portfolio Management • Facility Operations/Management Professional Experience

IMKAN PROPERTIES, Abu Dhabi, UAE 2018 to Present

Prominent Real Estate Developer in MENA.

Director – Real Estate & Business Development

Management of commercial space throughout portfolio of 30M square feet across MENA region. Procurement of strategic partnerships to advance the company’s objectives

Develop strategic leasing plans with merchandise mix necessary to complement merits of masterplans.

Create real estate processes to efficiently gain approvals of deals.

Source commercial tenancies, negotiate heads of terms and lease agreements for all projects. Currently leasing 60K square meters across three projects. Manage contract timelines.

Handle procurement of operators for various commercial uses across projects and negotiate management or other deals. Completed prominent beach club deal for company’s master plan development on REEM Island, Abu Dhabi.

Negotiate key strategic alliances to bolster awareness of specific projects and overall R&D platform. Facilitated partnership with NYU Start AD Venture Launchpad which led to IMKAN Innovation Award and successful pilot.

Manage industry specific relationship with developers, landlords and brokers across the region. Actively engage with trade associations to advance company objectives. Participated in industry panels and published relevant articles.

Liaise cross functionally to bring deals to fruition. MAJID AL FUTTAIM, Dubai, UAE 2013 to 2018

Leading Middle Eastern Retail & Entertainment Conglomerate. Real Estate Director

Management of new opportunities for cinema, fashion and leisure entertainment brands throughout MENA region with aggregate budget of $220M in 2017.

Analyzed new build scenarios against strategic goals for each brand.

Developed feasibility and sensitivity models to support commercial terms.

Prepared and negotiated heads of terms for commercial proposals for each brand; Negotiated leases.

Successfully negotiated lease restructures and aggregate rent reduction of 10% across leisure and fashion brand portfolio of 2.5Msqft and occupancy costs of $82M.

Prepared and presented commercial deal approval reports for MAF Board Approval.

Established and managed mall developer relationships across the region to promulgate and meet objectives.

Actively participated in trade associations leading to receipt of VOX Award for best MENA retail/operator in 2017.

Supported cross-functional team initiatives to drive achievement in annual KPIs. adlj47@r.postjobfree.com 971.56.170.2441 linkedin.com/luann-parker LUANN PARKER • 971.56.170.2441 Page 2

(Continued from MAJID AL FUTTAIM above)

Development Director

Managed design and construction development cycle of company brand, VOX CINEMAS, with strategic growth plans to consistently lead market share.

Oversaw complete delivery cycle for 7 cinemas in GCC (UAE & Oman) with $120M in aggregate construction contract value; managed MENA pipeline of 20 cinemas for openings through 2020.

Built new partnerships with architects, interior designers, MEP, project management and cost consultants to standardize specifications, processes and strategically execute expansion program.

Developed written briefs on construction offering and capex for Board Feasibility Approval Report.

Managed detailed design development of various VOX concept schemes.

Negotiated tenant work scope deliverables with landlords for inclusion in lease documents resulting in $24M savings

Managed completion of all municipality approvals and sign-offs required to open new and refurbished cinemas.

Collaborated with Commercial Team to invite and appoint tenderers for all external consultancies. Assisted in negotiations resulting in $10M savings across pipeline projects.

Liaised with internal stakeholders across various departments to ensure projects were delivered on time and within budget.

CLEARVIEW CINEMAS, Florham Park, NJ 2007 to 2013

NY Metro Area’s Largest Movie Theater Circuit.

Vice President of Real Estate & Facilities

Managed real estate portfolio of 47 theaters and back office assets (1Msqft) with over $14M in annual occupancy costs, providing strategic growth and facility objectives and plans.

Developed and managed strategic relationships with developers, landlords and brokers while conducting market and competitor analyses to effectively select sites. Prepared and presented 5-year strategic growth and asset management plans to senior management annually.

Managed site project feasibility, all contract/document negotiations on real estate and construction matters, construction/project management, acquisitions, dispositions, remodels, lease renewals ($300K savings per year), property management and excess property matters (20 tenant leases).

Managed cross-functional team on day-to-day facility operations and lease issues, actively supporting operations team and participating in management directives to advance the company’s goals.

Initiated and prosecuted the relocation of corporate office of 40 employees through negotiation of new lease and construction management of new space, generating 23% in annual occupancy savings.

Successfully negotiated lease and project managed building of Hoboken NJ Theater, a $7 M construction contract.

Sold 2 underperforming theaters for $4M thereby reducing portfolio’s occupancy costs by 7%.

Implemented lease management and building facility maintenance software administration to proactively track and manage lease renewals and R&M issues.

Negotiated contract with new energy supplier to reduce electric and gas expenses up to 25% annually portfolio-wide. YUM! BRANDS, INC., Lake Success, NY 1999 to 2007

Leading Global Fast Food Restaurant Company.

Regional Director of Real Estate & Construction 2003 to 2007 Provided strategic direction and coaching to real estate and construction personnel on pipeline approvals and openings. Managed cross-functional team of 12 employees.

Managed milestones in approval and opening processes of new KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Long John Silver units in the northeast (NY, PA, MD, DC), with average annual approvals of 30 and openings of 20.

Presented strategic growth plans in the Northeast on annual basis and quarterly results to senior management. LUANN PARKER • 971.56.170.2441 Page 3

(Continued from YUM BRANDS, INC. above)

Effectively supported company operations, facilities and franchise partners through functional leadership and responsiveness to all real estate and construction related matters in territory of 1700 restaurants.

Built average of 20 units annually with construction contracts in excess of $20M generating revenues in excess of $ 17M.

Completed a Certificate of Occupancy project in NYC to resolve outstanding issues on 30 existing units reducing and eliminating incessant fines.

Sr. Manager, Portfolio Management 2002 to 2003

Managed all aspects of lease administration and property management of over 5K company assets (13.5Msqft) with $137M in occupancy costs. Managed a team of 8.

Managed 400+ lease reviews for remodel/conversion projects and 600+ lease renewals generating substantial corporate savings.

Successfully initiated and executed sale-leaseback and other real estate financing strategies, resulting in $25M in corporate cash infusion and increased asset move flexibility.

Actively managed all surplus property of 400 units by sale, lease termination or sublease; disposed of 30% of inventory generating $12M in cash.

Negotiated contracts with and provided direction to external vendors with respect to surplus inventory. Real Estate Manager 1999 to 2002

Managed site selection and negotiation of leases/purchase agreements for new restaurants totaling $20M in annual revenues.

Effectively trained, mentored and developed associates in site selection, lease negotiation, financial model preparation and analysis.

Provided essential coaching to franchisees on real estate process and assisted in their development endeavors, revising strategic market development plan for both company and franchise operators.

Performed trade area valuation of Long John Silver assets in Georgia and Tennessee as due diligence to company’s acquisition.

Early Career Snapshot

McDONALD’S CORPORATION, Valley Stream, NY 1997 to 1999 World's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants. Real Estate Representative

Selected sites and negotiated leases for new restaurants in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island totaling $15M in annual revenues.

Prepared sales, financial and impact analysis on all deals, presenting approval packages to senior management.

Collaborated with construction partner to ensure landlord financial allowances/work contributions were captured in construction phase.

Presented NY market development strategies and trade area data to management and franchisees at semi-annual meetings.

Received Rookie of the Year Award in 1998.

MACYS, INC., New York, NY 1992 to 1995

Fortune 500 Department Store Retailer

Real Estate Analyst

Assisted in negotiations of business terms and leases for Macy Furniture and Specialty Stores.

Participated in dispositions of Macy property with aggregate value in excess of $10M during Macy bankruptcy.

Assisted in valuation of entire portfolio during company bankruptcy.

Analyzed financial data and performed sensitivity analysis, improving new and existing real estate transactions. LUANN PARKER • 971.56.170.2441 Page 4

Education

Master of Public Affairs in International Economic Policy, Columbia University - New York, NY Master of Business Administration in Finance, Fordham University - New York, NY Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics, Cornell University - Ithaca, NY Licenses & Credentials

New York State Broker License

New York State & UAE Drivers Licenses

Panel Participant:

o Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2019 – 2019 and Beyond Emerging trends of Real Estate Panel o NYU STARTAD Venture Launchpad 2019

o Wealth Arabia Summit 2018 – Global Market Outlook on Mega Trends o Panel UN Commission On Sustainable Development 2011- Corporate Environmental Social Responsibility o ICSC Yonkers Business Week 2010 – Yonkers Retail Renaissance o ICSC NJ Alliance Retail Exchange 2008 – Urban Development Publications:

o Wealth Arabia November 2018 (Real Estate developer focuses on Abu Dhabi – one of the most attractive destinations for investment)

o MECSC Annual Directory 2019 – Expert View

Technologies

MS Outlook & Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

MS Project

Aconex (Document Management System)

Other

Nationality: USA

Visa Status: UAE Residency

Family Status: Single (No children)



Contact this candidate