Vice President, Real Estate Sourcing Lead & CRE Strategy at DBS Bank in Mumbai

Job description

• The Real Estate Sourcing Resource is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and negotiating rental and lease premises for the bank's branch, offices, and ATM network. The role requires a strong understanding of the rental real estate market across major metro cities as well as rural and semi-urban locations, along with at least 12-14 years of prior experience working within a local Indian bank's premises, administration, or facilities function. The incumbent will act as the primary liaison between the bank, property developers/owners, brokers, and local communities to secure premises on terms most favourable to the bank.
• This role involves frequent local travel across metro and rural/semi-urban markets, on-site property visits, and regular interaction with external parties including developers, brokers, and local communities, as well as internal teams such as consumer business, finance, legal, and compliance

Responsibilities

• Source, shortlist, and evaluate potential rental properties for new and relocated bank branches, offices, ATMs, and back-office facilities across assigned metro and rural/semi-urban locations.
• Lead rent negotiations with landlords, property owners, and developers to secure optimal rental rates, escalation clauses, lock-in periods, and lease terms in the bank's favour.
• Maintain up-to-date, detailed knowledge of prevailing rental rates, vacancy trends, and market benchmarks across major metros (e.g., Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata) and tier 2-3 locations especially in South India.
• Build and maintain relationships with real estate developers, brokers, local property owners, and community stakeholders to gain early visibility into upcoming inventory and market trends.
• Conduct site visits and feasibility assessments covering location suitability, footfall potential, accessibility, parking, statutory compliances, and building/structural fitness.
• Coordinate due diligence on shortlisted properties, including title verification, ownership checks, and coordination with the bank's legal and compliance teams.
• Prepare comparative property and cost analysis reports (rent per sq. ft., deposit, escalation, CAM charges) to support management decision-making.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders — premises/facilities, legal, compliance, and business teams — to align sourcing activity with branch expansion and network optimisation plans.
• Negotiate renewal terms for existing branch/office leases ahead of expiry, benchmarking against current market rates to avoid over-payment.
• Track and report on local zoning regulations, municipal approvals, and any regulatory requirements applicable to bank premises in the given location.

Requirements

• Prior work experience of at least 12-14 years with a local/regional Indian bank in premises, administration, facilities, or real estate sourcing function is mandatory.
• Demonstrated experience in rent/lease negotiations for commercial or institutional premises.
• Working knowledge of rental market dynamics across both urban (metro) and rural/semi-urban geographies.
• Familiarity with lease documentation, rent agreements, stamp duty, and registration norms across Indian states.
• Established network of contacts among local developers, brokers, and property owners is highly desirable.
• Effective probing and listening skills.
• Strong Relationship Management and influencing skills
• Self-driven and ambitious.
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Results-orientated & the ability to deliver results under pressure
• Understanding of competitive positioning
• Strong service orientation, customer-centric behavior.
• Focused on developing image and good will of the brand
• Creative, inquisitive mind with problem solving abilities.
• Ability to deliver results within tight timelines.
• Attention to details, analyzing abilities.
• Graduate in any discipline; MBA/PG in Real Estate, Finance, or related field preferred.

Skills

Required

• Effective probing and listening skills
• Self-driven and ambitious
• Understanding of competitive positioning