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 Mia Baldock, Talent Acquisition Team Leader for Vicinity Centres. With more than 1,200 team members working at Vicinity across numerous assets and disciplines the role of recruitment is a busy one.
What is your current role and main responsibilities?
Talent Acquisition Team Leader which involves leading, motivating and developing the Talent Acquisition team. Ensuring Vicinity continually sources the best talent within the market and in line with the strategic direction.
How did you get in to this industry?
Started out recruiting for Colliers International and have held a really strong interest in property personally, so staying in industry (particularly Retail property) with all the disruption, makes for a very interesting, dynamic and exciting experience
What do you love most about your job?
Working in collaboration with nearly every area of the business. Recruitment touches every business unit/department, so you get lots of exposure to how different teams work, and understand what they specialise in. Also the close proximity to Chadstone and the team/people I work with day to day!
What is the single most important quality you need to possess to be in this industry?
Resilience. There are certainly challenging times, days, months… but the industry is very cyclical and generally you learn the most and can push yourself to achieve the greatest things in the most difficult of times.
Which in your opinion is the best example of a good shopping centre, retail precinct or place?
I quite enjoy open air spaces, those with natural light & greenery. Great design/aesthetically pleasing. Some examples include: Britamart in Auckland NZ, The Highline & Chelsea Market in NYC and The Grounds of Alexandria. Plus Chadstone of course!
-
- Chelsea Market, New York
-
- Chadstone’s accessibility makes it an ideal location for COVID-19 testing
What do you think makes a successful shopping centre?
One that has community at it’s heart. An experience destination with great places to shop, eat, connect with others, and be entertained. One with a personality, not just a box like a number of others.
What are your favourite retailers and why?
Mostly Australian retail fashion brands like Viktoria and Woods, Spell Byron Bay and Country Road. Great to support local and they are really forging ahead and making names for themselves in overseas markets too.
What are some of the trends you are seeing in the industry?
Big focus on Food and Beverage and dining precincts.
What do you do in your leisure time to de-stress?
Pilates, F45, walks, friends and wine.
What is your most memorable moment of your career?
Being promoted into a Team Leader role at Vicinity. Additionally, placing a few really hard to fill positions with great female candidates in teams that are completely male dominated and seeing them excel in their career (two in IT at Vicinity and one in a sales/leasing role at Colliers International).
Do you like shopping?
Is that a trick question? Hell yes.
