Real Estate Business Developer (Adria Region)

About the role

Decathlon is looking for a Real Estate Business Developer to define and implement its business development strategy across the Adria region (Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia). The goal is to turn the company into the undisputed market leader by 2030, growing its share from around 13% in a €1.68 billion sports market and scaling from 25 to 40 omni-channel touchpoints.

Key responsibilities

• Develop a regional development strategy based on market data and design a multi-channel network (lockers, shops, digital) to reach 40 touchpoints by 2030.
• Drive real estate projects delivering 4 new store openings by 2027: sourcing sites, evaluating execution means, negotiating contracts, handling due diligence and permits, monitoring budgets and overseeing handover.
• Coordinate all stakeholders, manage store relocations for non-vision sites, and build local administrative and political relationships.
• Advise internal stakeholders on physical partnerships and new business initiatives, and advocate for Decathlon with external government organisations.
• Prospect and negotiate with property investors and landlords.
• Monitor year-one revenues and costs against budget for new openings, and identify portfolio optimisation opportunities such as downsizing, enlargements, efficiency upgrades and green building investments.
• Execute land commercialisation strategies (sales and leasing of vacant premises) following Asset Manager guidelines.

Required profile

• Cross-cultural fluency in a workplace blending local identities with Decathlon's international culture.
• Entrepreneurial and strategic mindset, able to turn market data into a concrete vision.
• Fluent in English; fluency or high proficiency in Croatian, Slovenian and/or Serbian is highly advantageous.
• Highly mobile, with frequent travel across the region and a strong appetite for professional development.
• A financial or technical background, or prior experience as a Regional Retail Leader, is highly advantageous.

Required skills

• Previous experience in real estate development, retail expansion or commercial business development, with a track record of end-to-end site acquisitions and store openings.
• Strong negotiation and networking skills with property investors, landlords and local authorities.
• Project management, including coordinating cross-functional stakeholders and handling technical and legal due diligence.
• Ability to understand all functional domains within Decathlon so that real estate decisions support GMV growth and P&L objectives.