Specialty Lease Manager - Hawthorn East

We’ve been trusted to serve Aussie communities since 1914 and grown to become a top 30-listed on the ASX with over 115,000 team members and a portfolio of iconic brands. At Coles Group, you’ll not only get to make a difference to millions of Aussie lives—you’ll also get to see your impact.

About the team

Property looks after one of Australia’s most dynamic portfolios. With an extensive footprint of over 1,800 retail outlets nationally, we’re growing every day. Our team manages every one of these locations, and we work together with our business units on all thing’s property, from site acquisition through to asset management.

About the role

We’re growing fast—with a major pipeline of shopping centres under development and more than 250 lease negotiations on the cards over the next few years. To keep pace, we’re looking for a Specialty Lease Manager to join our national property team and play a pivotal role in how we support and activate these centres.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work on impactful projects that connect with communities, collaborating across asset management, development, and leasing. If you’re looking to take ownership, streamline processes, and make your mark—this is it.

Applications close Monday 4th of August. This role can be based in either Melbourne or Brisbane and whilst it's a full-time position, we're open to four days a week.

What you’ll do

Reporting to the National Portfolio Manager, you’ll be responsible for preparing and managing lease documentation, supporting two Asset Managers, and working with external legal providers, managing agents and tenancy coordinators to ensure the leasing process runs smoothly.

You’ll own your portfolio, guiding deals through from offer to final execution, and ensuring all compliance and legal documents are watertight and in place. You’ll also play a key role in systems and process improvements to manage volume and drive efficiency.

You’ll also: 

•    Prepare Letters of Offer and Lease Approval Forms based on executed Heads of Agreement
•    Instruct and liaise with external legal teams on leasing documentation and commercial terms
•    Review external leasing agents’ documentation to ensure it meets internal leasing criteria
•    Manage key lease admin tasks, including tenant credit checks, bank guarantees, and insurances
•    Track progress and ensure leases are finalised and executed before opening
•    Provide support to the wider portfolio team, including reports, strategic lease plans, and meetings.

About you and your skills

You’ll have 3+ years’ experience in specialty leasing, with a background working for a landlord (think Westfield, Vicinity, or similar). You’re confident navigating negotiations, able to juggle competing priorities, and genuinely enjoy being organised. If you come from a legal or paralegal background and want to return to leasing, we’d also love to hear from you.

You’ll also have:

•    3+ years’ experience in commercial or retail lease negotiations
•    Strong understanding of retail tenancy legislation across multiple states
•    Previous experience in a shopping centre landlord environment
•    Legal or paralegal background (highly regarded)
•    Comfortable working at pace and managing multiple projects
•    Collaborative, solutions-focused, and calm under pressure.

#LI-MAR

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
• Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.
• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

About the recruitment process

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ section of our careers site or email inclusionrecruitment@coles.com.au

Job ID: 160826

Employment Type: Full time