Specialist Real Estate & Construction

Job Description

The Specialist Real Estate & Construction is responsible for end-to-end site management, from scouting and lease negotiation to serving as the primary point of contact between Talabat and its landlords across all locations. This individual will work closely with internal stakeholders across business functions to ensure real estate solutions align with operational needs and landlord relationships are proactively managed. This role requires strong negotiation skills, relationship management, and an ability to troubleshoot real estate-related issues across departments.

What's On Your Plate:

Construction & Engineering Leadership

• Lead and oversee construction projects from design phase through final delivery, managing all engineering and architectural requirements.

• Proficient in interpreting architectural layouts, blueprints, and engineering specifications to ensure compliance with standards and timelines.

• Coordinate with consultants, contractors and suppliers to resolve site-specific challenges, manage budgets, and maintain project schedules.

Tendering, Negotiation & Market Pricing

• Manage tender processes for construction materials, equipment, and services, ensuring competitive bidding and best value outcomes.

• Explore and analyze market pricing for construction materials, labor, and equipment to optimize project budgets without compromising quality.

• Negotiate contracts with vendors, contractors, and suppliers to secure favorable pricing, delivery schedules, and service terms.

Deal Structuring & Negotiation

• Lead commercial negotiations with landlords, property managers, and brokers to secure favorable lease terms and conditions.

• Draft, review, and finalize Letters of Intent (LOIs).

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Legal: Partner with internal and external legal counsel to draft, review, and execute lease agreements, ensuring compliance and risk mitigation.

• Finance: Work closely with the finance team to develop business cases, secure budget approvals, and track project CAPEX and OPEX.

• Procurement: Coordinate with procurement to align on vendor onboarding, equipment sourcing, and fit-out materials needed for the new locations.

• Act as the primary point of contact for these departments, removing roadblocks and driving tasks to completion to "get things done.

Location Scouting & Real Estate

• Conduct market research to identify potential locations for new dark kitchen facilities in high-potential neighborhoods.

• Support lease negotiations with landlords and property managers to secure favorable terms aligned with operational needs.

• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective sites through direct outreach, brokers, and real estate networks.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Construction & Engineering Background: Strong background in construction management, civil engineering, or facilities engineering. Proven ability to manage complex construction projects from planning to execution.

• Cloud Kitchen & Operational Experience: Minimum 3+ years of hands-on experience in cloud kitchen operations, F&B logistics, or similar high-volume food service facilities. Demonstrated expertise in operational excellence and vendor management.

• Tendering & Market Pricing Expertise: Demonstrated ability to manage tender processes, analyze market pricing trends, and negotiate competitive contracts with vendors and contractors to optimize cost efficiency.

• Technical Proficiency: Expert-level ability to read and interpret architectural blueprints, engineering drawings, and construction specifications. Familiarity with construction management software and project tracking tools.

• Project Management & Coordination: Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple construction projects, operational rollouts, and budget oversight simultaneously.

• Cross-Functional Fluency & Secondary Real Estate Skills: Strong ability to communicate effectively across operations, finance, and construction teams. Basic experience with commercial real estate negotiations and site selection is a plus but secondary to core construction and operational expertise.