Abu Dhabi Airports Company
Head of Retail and Food & Beverages
- Permanent
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 10 - 15 yrs
- Urgent
Job overview
Date posted
18/07/2025
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Salary
AED 40,000 - 50,000 per month
Compensation
Comprehensive package
Experience
10 - 15 yrs
Seniority
Director
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
01/09/2025
Job description
The Head of Retail and Food & Beverages at Abu Dhabi Airports leads the strategic and operational development of all retail and F&B outlets across the airport. This pivotal role is focused on enhancing non-aeronautical revenue through retail innovation, space optimization, and strategic partnerships with global concessionaires. The position involves long-term business planning, vendor negotiations, financial and performance oversight, marketing strategy execution, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and operational standards. The ideal candidate brings extensive leadership experience, a forward-thinking approach, and a strong grasp of commercial dynamics in airport environments.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Develop and execute sectional objectives aligned with organizational strategy.
- Lead long-term forecasting, strategic business planning, budgeting, and reporting.
- Drive revenue through retail and F&B income projections, space planning, and operator selection.
- Define and monitor KPIs aligned with strategic goals.
- Optimize budgets and manage financial planning for concessions.
- Ensure compliance with license agreements, insurance, and financial obligations.
- Recruit, train, and mentor staff with focus on Emiratization and succession planning.
- Negotiate and manage concession agreements, including retail, F&B, and duty-free contracts.
- Build and maintain relationships with concessionaires and regulatory bodies.
- Analyze retail mix and identify new commercial opportunities.
- Manage pipeline of prospective partners with financial benchmarking.
- Coordinate with food authorities on F&B SOPs and policy development.
- Monitor concessionaire performance and implement remedial action plans.
- Create and execute marketing strategies to maximize EBITDA and customer satisfaction.
- Conduct benchmarking, mystery shopping, and feedback tracking.
- Lead commercial contract negotiations to optimize airport visibility and revenue.
- Manage commercial marketing and project budgets.
- Ensure legal, risk, and compliance adherence across all activities.
- Engage with internal and external stakeholders for operational alignment.
- Participate in audits and contribute to compliance reporting.
- Identify and recommend revenue-enhancing and cost-saving opportunities.
- Lead change management and digital transformation within the division.
Experience & skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Retail Management, Business Administration, or related field.
- Certification in Retail Sales Management or Marketing is an added advantage.
- Minimum of 10 years' experience in retail or F&B, including 5 years in a leadership role.
- Strong commercial acumen and proven track record in profitable growth.
- Strategic business management and decision-making capabilities.
- Proficiency in stakeholder engagement and team leadership.
- Expertise in contract negotiation and budget management.
- Knowledge of marketing, compliance, and operational performance tracking.