Director of Retail Development

Proper Cloth

Director expanding Proper Cloth’s appointment-based luxury menswear showroom network across major US cities. Managing leases, build-outs, design teams, and showroom openings.

Posted 8/10/2026full-timeNew York City • New York • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $165,000 - $185,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in retail store development and construction project management, with a strong focus on showroom expansion, market evaluation, and effective communication with stakeholders. Proficient in managing multiple concurrent build-outs and building relationships with architects, contractors, and developers.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Retail Store DevelopmentConstruction Project ManagementLease Business Terms FluencyArchitectural ReviewPremium Retail Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Showroom ExpansionMarket EvaluationStore OpeningsBid AnalysisArchitect SelectionVendor ManagementDesign ReviewProject CoordinationBudget ManagementCAD File Updates

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationResourcefulnessNetworking AbilityPresentation SkillsTaste for Design

Industry Keywords

Retail ConstructionLuxury RetailClientelingLandlord LeasingDeveloper RelationshipsActive Pipeline DevelopmentNew Market ExpansionArchitectural ExperienceGeneral Contractor ManagementShowroom Design

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Drive showroom expansion end to end, including building relationships with developers and brokers, understanding markets and spaces, running the lease process, directing architects and contractors, and delivering finished showrooms on budget.
Build a pipeline of new showroom locations so the expansion pace accelerates over time.
Refine a repeatable playbook to make each showroom opening faster and better than the last.
Report directly to the CEO.
Evaluate and develop potential showroom markets across major US cities.
Select and direct architects, general contractors, expediters, and vendors.
Select finishes and review architectural drawings.
Pitch developers and present options to the CEO.
Travel to target markets and be on-site during showroom development and active pipeline periods.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Six or more years in retail store development, retail construction project management, or owner's representation.
Direct hands-on involvement in at least three store openings.
Experience running multiple concurrent build-outs in different cities.
Ability to select and direct architects, GCs, expediters, and vendors.
Ability to read bids and identify mismatches between scope and cost.
Fluency in lease business terms, including effective versus asking rent, TI allowance, free rent, escalations, NNN caps, loss factor, exclusivity, co-tenancy, assignment and sublease rights.
Excellent taste and an eye for premium design.
Ability to select finishes and review drawings with architects.
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Ability to pitch developers and present options to the CEO.
Resourceful and well-networked, or able to build a network quickly in new cities.
Willingness to travel meaningfully; expected travel is 15–40%, weighted toward active pipeline development.
Strongly preferred: premium or luxury retail experience, or appointment-based, clienteling, or by-referral format experience.
Strongly preferred: landlord- or developer-side leasing experience.
Strongly preferred: experience opening in two or more target markets.
Strongly preferred: architectural experience with the ability to update CAD files or do test layouts.
Location eligibility: New York office-based or US-based remote.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical
Dental
Vision
401(k)
Clothing allowance
Performance bonus