Istanbul, Istanbul, Türkiye
Professional Summary I am a Retail Expansion and Real Estate Manager with over 20 years of experience in the retail, real estate, and construction sectors. Currently, I serve as the Head of Expansion for Metro Grossmarket’s “BONVENO” concept. A dynamic and results-driven professional, I have extensive experience managing store openings, expansion, and leasing strategies for both national and international brands. Brands I have worked with include: Alshaya Group: Starbucks, Victoria’s Secret, The Body Shop, Shake Shack, Debenhams, PF Chang’s, Bath & Body Works, Pinkberry, etc. Unitim Holding: Tommy Hilfiger, Camper, Harvey Nichols, G-Star, Hakkasan, etc. Other brands: GETİR (contributed to expansion projects across 81 provinces) I have been actively involved in the expansion and leasing strategies of over 1,000 stores across Turkey. Additionally, I possess strong expertise in liaising with government institutions, obtaining permits, and managing official documentation processes. Core Competencies Retail Expansion & Store Openings Lease Negotiations & Legal Compliance Store Portfolio Management & Optimization Feasibility Studies & Site Selection Franchise Development Pre-opening legal review: zoning, occupancy permits, fire and earthquake reports Renovation and architectural permit management Compliance in historical and protected areas (Cultural Heritage Board approvals) Company formation, signature circulars, general assembly registrations, capital increases Coordination with municipalities, tax offices, chambers of commerce, and agriculture departments Utility connections and disconnections (electricity, water, natural gas, telecom) Advertising, signage, and environmental permit management Cross-functional coordination with Legal, Operations, Real Estate, and Project teams Reporting to senior management and contributing to budget planning Team management and stakeholder engagement Key Strengths Analytical thinking, deep knowledge of legal procedures and regulatory compliance, end-to-end project ownership, and excellent communication skills in multi-stakeholder environments.
Core Competencies: Store location selection and feasibility analysis Lease agreement negotiations, legal compliance, and contract management Pre-opening legal due diligence: zoning, occupancy permits, fire safety, seismic reports Renovation and architectural permit acquisition Historical and protected area compliance (Cultural Heritage Board approvals) Company formation, signature circulars, general assembly registrations, capital increases Liaising with municipalities, tax offices, chambers of commerce, and agriculture departments Utility connections and terminations (electricity, water, natural gas, telecom) Advertisement, signage, and environmental permit management Cross-departmental coordination with Legal, Operations, Real Estate & Project teams Reporting to senior management and contributing to budget planning Team leadership and stakeholder management