Arun Rao

Seasoned Business Development professional with 10+ years of experience in retail expansion, property acquisition, and real estate development across South India. Proven expertise in identifying prime locations, conducting due diligence, negotiating high-value deals, and building strong networks with developers, landlords, brokers, and government authorities to drive business growth.

Manager at Lighthouse Learning (2025-04 – Present)

• Supported expansion efforts by identifying potential locations for new centers through market analysis and opportunity mapping.
• Tracked market trends, rental rates, competitor activity, and economic developments to inform strategic recommendations.
• Built and maintained a strong broker and agent network for timely updates on available properties.
• Managed property database with site details, visit status, and evaluation notes.
• Conducted feasibility assessments, including demographic data collection, competitor mapping, and catchment analysis.
• Assisted the Finance team with inputs for financial modelling and business case preparation.
• Coordinated negotiations by liaising with brokers and supporting senior team members in deal documentation.
• Provided cross-functional support to Finance, Legal, Projects, and Safety teams during due diligence and property onboarding.
• Ensured timely documentation, compliance, internal reporting, and tracker maintenance for all property leads.
• Supported relationship management with landlords, including post-deal coordination and issue resolution.

Manager – DARKSTORE at Blinkit (2024-08 – 2025-04)

• Lead the identification, evaluation, and acquisition of properties for expansion, ensuring alignment with company growth objectives.
• Conduct thorough market research and feasibility studies to evaluate property values, trends, and growth potential.
• Manage and coordinate the property search process, including negotiating terms, conducting due diligence, and finalizing contracts, negotiated rental agreements, renewals

AM Business Development at Blackberry's (2023-01 – 2024-08)

• Manage and coordinate the property search process, including negotiating terms, conducting due diligence, and finalizing contracts.
• Identify emerging opportunities for property acquisition in key markets.
• Led property identification and franchise development for the South India region, securing high-potential locations for retail expansion.
• Streamlined project documentation and managed legal processes, monitored market trends.
• Negotiated rental agreements, renewals, and ensured ROI optimisation.
• Built relationships with local brokers and handled rent escalation.

AM Business Development at Jubilant Food (2021-06 – 2023-01)

• Lead the identification, evaluation, and acquisition of properties for expansion, ensuring alignment with company growth objectives.
• Manage and coordinate the property search process, including negotiating terms, conducting due diligence, and finalising contracts.
• Monitor market trends and identify emerging opportunities for property acquisition in key markets.
• Managed property documentation, ROI analysis, and project coordination

Senior Business Development at Future Group (2019-01 – 2020-05)

• Identified and secured new retail locations across Karnataka.
• Open retail fresh mart all over Karnataka.
• Established strong networks with IPCs and local brokers.

Executive IPC at JLL (2015-01 – 2018-12)

• Conducted market research and analysed catchments for property opportunities.
• Property scouring, maintaining the property database, site visit with the client, and maintaining good relations with the landlord.
• Maintained vacancy trackers for malls and high streets.
• Created property databases, prepared rental proposals, and negotiated site acquisitions.

B.Com (2014)

Higher Secondary Education