Vice President - Retail Store Expansion & Franchisee Development (12-20 yrs)

Key Responsibilities

Business Development

- Identify and evaluate high-potential catchment areas for new store expansion under COCO and Franchise models.

- Conduct detailed catchment analysis: demographics, market potential, competition mapping, and retailer presence.

- Drive entry into new geographies via market mapping, location/property finalization, and execution of store openings.

- Assess retail market potential and prevailing rental rates per sq. ft.

- Build and sustain relationships with high street landlords, developers, and franchise partners to secure cost-effective deals.

- Collaborate with real estate consultants to lock in high-potential future sites.

- Lead rental negotiations and manage landlord/business partner relations.

- Regularly review and renegotiate rents and lease agreements.

- Consolidate territories based on dynamic market conditions.

- Leverage broker networks to identify optimal store locations.

Project Management

- Plan and oversee retail projects: new openings, refurbishments, relocations.

- Liaise with design, construction, and logistics teams to ensure timely, within-budget project delivery.

- Monitor project milestones, troubleshoot issues, and report outcomes.

- Manage end-to-end documentation from site sourcing to handover to operations.

Franchise Business Development

- Identify and onboard financially sound and aligned franchise partners.

- Drive location sourcing for franchisee-led store expansions.

- Collaborate with franchise management teams to ensure alignment and performance.

- Monitor franchisee performance and ensure profitability.

Competitive Analysis

- Track competitor activities and market trends to refine expansion strategies.

- Implement industry best practices in business development and project execution.

Financial Acumen

- Manage budgets efficiently; innovate to optimize cost and profitability.

- Develop and execute annual business expansion plans.

- Achieve financial targets and identify areas for performance improvement.

Leadership & Team Management

- Align with CEO, Operations & Sales heads to drive strategic goals.

- Hire, mentor, and retain top talent; promote a high-performance culture.

- Lead BD and Projects teams to achieve KPIs and deliver operational excellence.

- Provide continuous training and conduct structured performance reviews.

Stakeholder Management

- Internal: CEO, Sales, VM, Marketing, Projects, BD.

- External: Vendors, Property Owners, Franchise Partners.

Candidate Profile

Core Competencies

- Purpose-driven leader with a breakthrough and strategic mindset.

- Strong financial acumen and understanding of key retail financial drivers.

- High people acumen with the ability to influence diverse stakeholders.

- Skilled in navigating organizational dynamics and ambiguity.

- Sets and pursues ambitious, outcome-oriented goals.

- Trusted advisor and mentor with systemic and analytical thinking.

- High integrity, ethical, collaborative, and self-driven.

- Effective communicator and skilled negotiator.

Education & Experience

- Graduate/MBA with 1220 years of experience in retail Business Development & Project Management.

- Relevant sectors: Apparel, Accessories, Footwear, Beauty/Cosmetics, QSR.

- Strong exposure to high street retail; mall-focused experience not preferred.

- Proven experience in franchisee business management.

- Demonstrated success in opening 100+ stores for 23 retail brands.

- Experience in opening 5001000 sq. ft. stores across South India and other metros.

- In-depth knowledge of key retail markets in metros and Tier 2/3 towns.

- Background in chain store formats with a focus on execution and expansion.