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Retail Development Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Category Development Analyst

Chicago, IL ยท Remote

$60K - $75K/yr

This position will lead the effort to review and translate shopper and retail data (internal ... Report Development and Customer Communication: * Leads the effort to report BBG's business results ...

Director, Business Development

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$129.49 - $186.06/hr

Collaborate across strategy, creative, media, commerce, retail, data, technology, and production teams to develop integrated client solutions. * Drive proactive outbound business development efforts ...

New

Director of Development

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$130K - $210K/yr

... hospitality, retail, self-storage, senior living, transportation, water and waste treatment ... Duties for the Director of Development include : * Lead and refine the company's development ...

Director of Development

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$130K - $210K/yr

... hospitality, retail, self-storage, senior living, transportation, water and waste treatment ... Duties for the Director of Development include : * Lead and refine the company's development ...

Director of Development

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$130K - $210K/yr

... hospitality, retail, self-storage, senior living, transportation, water and waste treatment ... Duties for the Director of Development include : * Lead and refine the company's development ...

Retail Operations Manager

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$50K - $84K/yr

Retail Operations Manager (ROM) At our Company, we grow People, Brands, and Businesses! We are ... Training and Career Development * Generous Paid Time-Off Responsibilities: * Maintain excellent ...

Retail Operations Manager Job Locations US-IL-Chicago | US-MI-Grand Rapids Primary Posting Location ... Training and Career Development * Generous Paid Time-Off Responsibilities: * Maintain excellent ...

Showing results 41-60

Retail Development information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$21

$36

$76

How much do retail development jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for retail development in Chicago, IL is $36.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.76 and $44.09 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Retail Development vs Retail Buying?

AspectRetail DevelopmentRetail Buying
Primary FocusIdentifying new store locations, market expansion, and strategic growthSelecting and purchasing products to stock in stores
Required SkillsMarket analysis, project management, real estate knowledgeVendor negotiation, inventory management, trend analysis
Work EnvironmentCorporate offices, site visits, market researchRetail stores, supplier meetings, buying offices
Common EmployersRetail chains, real estate firms, development agenciesRetail chains, department stores, specialty retailers

Retail Development and Retail Buying are distinct roles within the retail industry. Retail Development focuses on expanding store locations and market presence, while Retail Buying centers on selecting products to meet customer demand. Both roles require industry knowledge but differ in daily tasks and objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in retail development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Retail Development, you need a solid understanding of market analysis, site selection, and retail operations, often supported by a degree in business, marketing, or real estate. Familiarity with CRM software, geographic information systems (GIS), and financial modeling tools is typically required. Excellent negotiation, relationship-building, and project management skills set top performers apart in this field. These skills ensure successful identification and execution of new retail opportunities, driving business growth and competitive advantage.

What does a retail development do?

A retail development professional plans and manages the growth of retail stores and shopping centers, including site selection, market analysis, and project coordination. They work to ensure new retail locations meet business goals, often collaborating with architects, contractors, and leasing teams throughout the development process.

How does a retail development professional typically collaborate with store managers and merchandising teams to implement new initiatives?

Retail Development professionals play a key role in bridging the gap between corporate strategy and in-store execution. They regularly collaborate with store managers to understand operational challenges and gather feedback on new concepts or layouts. Working closely with merchandising teams, they help design and roll out product displays, promotional campaigns, or store redesigns to enhance customer experience and drive sales. Effective communication and project management skills are essential, as these professionals often coordinate timelines, training, and resources across multiple stakeholders.

What is retail development?

Retail development involves planning, creating, and managing retail spaces or strategies to maximize sales and customer engagement. Professionals in this field work on everything from identifying locations and negotiating leases to designing store layouts and optimizing product placement. The goal is to ensure retail environments meet consumer needs and business objectives, often collaborating with marketing, merchandising, and operations teams. Retail developers may work for brands, landlords, or property developers, and are key to expanding a company's physical presence.
What are the most commonly searched types of Retail Development jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Retail Development jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Infographic showing various Retail Development job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,496 per year, or $36.8 per hour.

Business Development & Marketing Coordinator

Centennial Real Estate Company LLC

Vernon Hills, IL โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

The Business Development and Marketing Coordinator serves as a key support and activation partner with the center's Local Leasing, Business Development and Marketing Programs. This position is a key contributor to on-site sales and traffic driving initiatives, along with fostering relationships with both prospective and current local licensees, assisting in efforts to maximize their opportunities for success, thus driving Net Operating Income (NOI) growth.

PRINCIPAL JOB ACTIVITIES:

Local Leasing/Business Development

  • Coordinate local leasing tenant set up and move-in/move-outs.
  • Prepare the license agreements for local leasing, storage, and sponsorship.
  • Track approvals, obtain licensee signatures, send fully executed agreements to lease admin, approve lease abstracts, track licensee openings, and ensure proper insurance is collected.
  • Request and maintain copies of insurance on file for new and existing local leasing licensees.
  • Assist Local Leasing Manager with gathering required information for license lease agreement renewals.
  • Assist in collections for outstanding Accounts Receivable balances from local leasing licensees.
  • Serve as point of contact for basic sponsorship programs generated by Business Development (for example: sampling, national tours, signage, or banner opportunities, etc.). Coordinate event set up with client and mall operations staff.
  • Provide information as needed to potential local leasing and sponsorship prospects to Local Leasing Manager.
  • Manage sponsorship and business development storage inventory.
  • Coordinate the delivery, installation, and proof of posting for all paid media/advertising on both interior and exterior of center.
  • Gather retailer sales data and input into sales management system.
  • Assist with holiday photo operations.
  • Alert the General Manager and the Local Leasing Manager if there is hawking in the common area and follow the Hawking Guidelines.
  • Maintain digital and hardcopy Leasing and Marketing files for center.
  • Shadow Local Leasing Manager in prospect meetings for potential retailers.

Consumer Marketing

  • Work directly with the Marketing Manager/Director assigned to drive sales/ traffic and NOI growth for the center.
  • Play a support role to activate the local implementation of local and national marketing platforms and any center consumer and/or retailer specific marketing programs.
  • Assist in curating, creating, and managing digital content (images, video, written) including updates to the property website, email blasts and social media channels.
  • Support initiatives to increase consumer interaction within digital mediums to drive property visit frequency and retailer sales growth.
  • Consumer information management, including data entry, email list management, and contest/event registrations.
  • Assist with special event preparation of agreements and collecting insurance. Participate in planning and execution of event, including set-up, vendor coordination, on-site logistics and post event evaluation.
  • Ensure center retailer listing materials and marketing promotional materials are accurate, updated and inventory levels are maintained.
  • In conjunction with the center team, manage visual merchandising of local leasing licensees and vacant storefronts as directed.
  • Shadow Marketing Manager/Director in retailer strategy meetings and event planning.

Common Area

  • Responsible for ensuring that all Centennial brand standards are followed in communications and marketing program materials throughout the shopping center.
  • Strive to improve and build upon overall customer services and amenities.

Retail and Management

  • Solicit and encourage retailer participation/support as an effort to promote their business and add value to the overall center marketing plans.
  • Work with the General Manager and Marketing to create effective marketing initiatives and tools that support our retailer partners achieve their sales goals.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor's Degree preferred, or equivalent work experience
  • Minimum of 2- 3 Years of Experience in Marketing, Event Planning, Project Coordination, Sales,

Retail or Real Estate

  • Must be flexible and able to work events which may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • A passion for being part of retail reinvention and evolution.
  • Comfortable working in a fast paced, highly dynamic work environment.
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time management, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work and learn independently and in a team situation.
  • Ability to deal with multiple projects and tasks effectively and establish priorities.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to follow through.
  • Self-motivated, proactive individual with a positive attitude.
  • Must be a strategic and analytical thinker.
  • Excellent people skills along with problem solving and time management ability.
  • Must possess the ability to manage budgets and have solid accounting skills.
  • Must be proficient on basic Microsoft Office platform and Internet.
  • Ability to read and understand standard business documentation (e.g., contract language).
  • Experience with social media platforms including content creation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 30 pounds.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell.
  • The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal and expansive reading.

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Centennial ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

#ZIP

#IND123

Pay Range
$28.85—$31.25 USD

Centennial is a retail real estate owner and operator with a national portfolio of shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations as well as a full-service property management platform serving third-party owners. With over 300 employees nationwide, the firm now operates 20 million square feet of mixed-use destinations in 16 states. Since 1997, Centennial has played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of American retail by creating a superior multi-faceted shopping experience with properties that serve not only as a place of commerce, but as a place of community.
#centennial #createdbycentennial

Centennial does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless they were contractually engaged by Centennial to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any such employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the acknowledgement and agreement that Centennial will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity. At this time, we are not working with any agencies.

All job offers are contingent on completion of a background check and proof of eligibility to work in the United States.