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Role Description

The Senior Director of Retail Leasing is a key architect of AEO’s Western US footprint, responsible for executing the regional real estate strategy across American Eagle, Aerie, and OFFLINE. This role focuses on driving high-impact growth for the Aerie and OFFLINE brands while strategically optimizing the American Eagle portfolio to ensure long-term profitability. You will lead high-stakes negotiations and market development to secure best-in-class positioning across a multi-state territory.

• Drive Brand Expansion: Execute the accelerated rollout of Aerie and OFFLINE locations; Identify, negotiate, and secure prime sites in lifestyle centers, street fronts and high-growth suburban hubs to meet enterprise expansion targets
• Portfolio Optimization: Lead the strategic right-sizing of the American Eagle fleet; Execute new store voids, renewals, relocations and remodels that improve 4-wall EBITDA and align the brand with evolving trade area dynamics
• Executive-Level Negotiation: Direct all lease negotiations and restructures with a high degree of autonomy; Leverage established relationships with national landlords, developers and REITs to optimize occupancy costs and secure favorable deal terms
• Financial & Strategic Validation: Build and validate comprehensive deal proformas in partnership with Finance; Ensure all regional capital investments meet AEO’s rigorous ROI thresholds and strategic priorities before presentation to the Executive Committee
• Market Accountability: Shop the market through frequent field tours (25%–40% travel); Provide expert analysis on co-tenancy trends, competitor movement and emerging development opportunities across the Western US
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Serve as the primary regional lead between Store Operations, Finance, Legal and Design to move deals from LOI through to construction hand-off and store opening

• Western US Strategic Priorities:
• Aerie & OFFLINE: Focus on rapid market penetration in under-stored, high-growth corridors
• American Eagle: Focus on fleet modernization and maximizing productivity in Tier 1 centers

Qualifications

• Experience: 10 years of retail leasing experience for a national brand, with deep expertise in Western US markets (specifically California and Texas)
• Technical Skills: Advanced lease negotiation experience and proficiency in financial modeling/proforma analysis
• Executive Presence: Proven ability to influence senior leadership through data-driven recommendations and sophisticated presentation skills
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, or a related field

Benefits

• Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to relevant experience and location.
• Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may receive health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental); wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits.
• Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part-time or full-time / exempt or non-exempt), and years of service.
• AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives at its discretion.