Real Estate Manager French Market

MF Brands Group is a private and independent Swiss group that brings together the inspiring lifestyle brands Aigle, GANT, Lacoste, and Tecnifibre. Present in nearly 100 countries through more than 2,400 stores, the Group is driven every day by the passion and commitment of its 12,000 employees. All of its brands share a forward-looking vision, a strong ability to adapt, and the courage to push beyond boundaries. As a family-owned company, MF Brands Group provides long-term support to its brands, enabling them to reach their full potential while continuously reinventing themselves. Whether it is GANT embodying the progressive spirit of academic excellence, Aigle bringing nature back into the city, Tecnifibre developing equipment tailored to players of all levels, or Lacoste transcending cultures beyond style, each brand has challenged the limits of its category in pursuit of greater freedom. MISSION You will be the Real Estate Manager for France, one of the Group’s key markets, reporting directly to the Global Real Estate Director. As a key member of the Retail Real Estate team, you will play a central role in managing and optimizing the French portfolio while supporting the growth ambitions of all Maus Frères retail brands. You will be responsible for identifying and securing strategic real estate opportunities, leading lease negotiations, renewals, relocations, and rent reviews, while ensuring the best commercial conditions for the Group. Working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners, you will contribute to the execution of the Group’s real estate strategy, portfolio optimization, and long-term growth plans. Your market expertise, commercial mindset, and negotiation skills will be critical to driving value creation in this highly strategic market. Strategic Business Partner for the Brands
• Act as the main Real Estate contact for all Maus Frères brands operating in France.
• Provide market insights and real estate expertise to support strategic decisions and portfolio optimization.
• Manage and continuously review the French real estate portfolio together with the brands to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key landlords, developers, brokers, and other real estate stakeholders across the French market.
• Identify, assess, and negotiate strategic real estate opportunities, including new stores, relocations, renewals, lease restructurings, and store closures.
• Secure the best commercial and legal conditions while supporting the brands' growth and profitability objectives. Real Estate Project Management & Portfolio Optimization
• Lead real estate projects from opportunity sourcing through lease execution and store opening.
• Support the development and execution of the real estate strategy and long-term portfolio plan for France.
• Monitor lease events and proactively identify opportunities to improve portfolio performance and reduce occupancy costs.
• Coordinate lease negotiations and related legal documentation in close collaboration with the Legal Department and Lease Administration team.
• Maintain accurate lease data and ensure proper follow-up within internal systems.
• Monitor market trends, rental levels, and competitor activity to identify opportunities and risks across the portfolio. Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Act as the key internal point of contact for all real estate projects in France, ensuring alignment between Retail, Finance, Legal, Architecture, Construction, and Operations teams.
• Coordinate stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle to ensure smooth execution and timely delivery.
• Work closely with the Global Real Estate Director to implement the Group's real estate strategy and contribute to portfolio optimization initiatives.
• Provide regular updates on market trends, key landlord relationships, and real estate opportunities to support the Group's real estate strategy and decision-making. PROFIL Background
• Master's degree in Business, Real Estate, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum 7/8 years of successful experience in Retail Real Estate, ideally within the retail, fashion, premium, or luxury sectors.
• Proven experience in lease negotiations, portfolio management, network optimization, and store expansion projects.
• Strong understanding of commercial leases, real estate economics, and occupancy cost management.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Fluency in French and English, both written and spoken. Skills & Competencies
• Strong knowledge of the French retail real estate market and its key stakeholders.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic thinker with a pragmatic and hands-on approach.
• Strong commercial mindset with the ability to balance growth opportunities, profitability, and risk management.
• Solid analytical skills with the ability to assess financial performance, occupancy costs, investment cases, and real estate opportunities.
• Ability to work closely with senior stakeholders and act as a trusted business partner to brand leadership teams.
• Proven track record in securing favorable lease terms, delivering cost savings, and optimizing retail networks.
• Strong project management and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and comfortable working independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Resilient, persistent, and solution-oriented, with a strong ability to navigate complex negotiations.
• Curious, proactive, and continuously seeking opportunities to create value.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build credibility with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Embodies the Group's values of Authenticity, Elegance, Positive Thinking, and Fair Play.
• Positive attitude, strong emotional intelligence, and ability to perform effectively under pressure.