The Shopping Centre industry is driven by people. It’s the skills and expertise of the people that manage, develop and evolve shopping centres for their communities that creates this great industry. Shopping Centre News profiles a range of interesting people from the industry each week. This week we speak to Angus Jarmer, a Development Manager with Vicinity Centres.
What is your current role and main responsibilities?
I am a Development Manager at Vicinity Centres. My current main role is focused around QueensPlaza in Brisbane and its luxury retail re-mix strategy and investigating further short and long term opportunities to ensure the centre remains a market-leading destination for people who live, work and study in Brisbane, and those visiting the CBD.
How did you get in to this industry?
I’m an Architect by profession and a lot of the opportunities given to me early on in my career were within the retail sector which provided a great foundation to retail development.
Tell us a little bit about your career
I obtained my Master of Architecture degree in Brisbane and following this spent two years in London where I was lucky enough to work on the redevelopment of Heathrow Airport. This was an amazing experience and a lot of fun had. Following this, I continued working in Architecture within the retail sector and soon after took on a design management role, leading into project management then development management where I am now.
QueensPlaza, QLD
What has been your hardest career decision?
Leaving the Architecture profession.
What do you love most about your job?
The teams I get to be a part of. The knowledge and skill-set within the respective professions is incredible.
What motivates you?
The desire to deliver successful projects. Not just from an internal time, cost and income perspective, but seeing it become part of the urban fabric and a place where people want to be, stay and, most importantly, return.
What makes a great Development Manager?
The ability to be across a lot of moving parts. Communication is paramount. You need to be structured but allow for flexibility on a daly basis.
What is your most memorable moment of your career?
The nerves from moving away from Architecture. All has panned out ok so far.
What do you think makes a successful shopping centre?
A place where our customers, and the broader community, feel welcome and enjoy the experience of shopping, dining, relaxing ‘under one roof’.
Which in your opinion is the best example of a good shopping centre, retail precinct or place?
The one we are working on! Watch this space.
Did you think you would end up in the role you are in now?
No I didn’t but have enjoyed the journey and where it’s leading.
What advice would you give to someone starting in the industry?
We don’t need to know everything instantly. Be a sponge and take it all in.
What do you do in your leisure time to de-stress?
Love the beach and sport but more recently its been all about parks, swings, zoos and scooters with my young family which has been so fun and probably the most rewarding part of life.
Do you like shopping?
If I know what I need to get and from where – yes, love it!
What is the single most important quality you need to possess to be in this industry?
Adaptability in a forever evolving sector.
Want to be profiled? Contact Belinda belinda@shoppingcentrenews.com.au
