Deputy Manager - Asset Management

Job description

Role Purpose This role owns bottom-line rental savings across the assigned store portfolio and acts as the primary problem-solver for landlord-related issues, from rent and renewal disputes to maintenance escalations and exit settlements. It works closely with Real Estate/Projects, Legal, Finance, and Store Operations to deliver the savings target while ensuring portfolio compliance with lease and statutory requirements. Key Responsibilities Rental Savings & Cost Optimization • Own and deliver the rental savings target ( Cr.) for the assigned portfolio, executing levers such as store relocations, advance rental structuring, and rental escalation clause conversion. • Evaluate rental restructuring and advance-rental proposals using XIRR / NPV analysis before recommending sign-off. • Track savings realization against target on a monthly basis and flag shortfalls early, with a corrective plan. Landlord Relationship & Issue Resolution • Act as the first point of contact for landlord escalations rent payment disputes, lease renewal negotiations, maintenance issues, security deposit recovery, and exit / FNF settlements. • Independently troubleshoot and resolve landlord issues on the ground, escalating only where the Delegation of Authority requires higher approval. • Negotiate lease renewals, rental reductions, and exit terms in line with company guidelines and approved commercial parameters. Cross-Functional Coordination • Work closely with the Real Projects, Legal, Finance, and Store Operations teams to align on site timelines, compliance requirements, and cost implications. • Coordinate with the Projects team on fit-out timelines to control ancillary costs, such as security guard deployment during fit-out / de-fit-out. • Partner with Finance on vendor and landlord invoice validation, TDS compliance on rental payments, and budget tracking. Store Compliance • Ensure stores in the assigned portfolio meet lease compliance requirements, including registration, renewal timelines, and premises-linked statutory licenses. • Track and report store compliance metrics monthly, driving closure of open compliance gaps with the relevant store and regional teams. • Maintain up-to-date documentation for all lease agreements, amendments, and landlord correspondence. Reporting & MIS • Publish a monthly MIS on rental savings, landlord issue resolution turnaround, and store compliance status to the Asset Management Function Head. • Maintain a live tracker of all store leases, renewal dates, escalation clauses, and security deposits. Qualifications & Experience • Graduate/MBA with 3-5 years of experience in asset management, real estate, or lease/facilities management. QSR, retail, or hospitality experience preferred. • Prior experience in sales, negotiations, and account management. Skills & Competencies • Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with both landlords and internal teams. • Analytical mindset, comfortable building and reviewing financial models. • High ownership and bias for action, with a natural problem-solving approach to resolving ambiguous, on-ground issues independently. • Effective cross-functional collaborator across Legal, Finance, Projects, and Operations. • Clear written and verbal communication for landlord correspondence and leadership reporting.