Industry veteran Mark Bateman joins JLL to lead new integrated platform combining design, architecture and project management
CHICAGO — JLL has launched a new Retail Solutions Group (RSG) within its Project and Development Services (PDS) business, creating an integrated platform designed to help multi-unit retailers manage every stage of the physical store lifecycle—from concept and design through construction and nationwide rollout.
To lead the new business unit, JLL has appointed Mark Bateman as Executive Managing Director. The company also announced the hiring of Kevin Songer as Managing Director of Architecture, further strengthening the firm’s retail design and delivery capabilities.
The Retail Solutions Group combines JLL’s expertise in retail design, branding, architecture, digital solutions, and multi-site project management into a single platform, allowing retailers to streamline development while maintaining brand consistency across multiple locations.
“Our clients told us clearly what they needed, which is a partner who could seamlessly guide them from innovation through execution, keeping their physical brand expression relevant and their customer journey compelling,” said Louis Molinini, Americas PDS Variable Lead for JLL. “The Retail Solutions Group represents our commitment to meeting that need with a truly integrated approach that leverages the full depth of JLL’s capabilities.”
Serving Retailers Throughout the Brand Lifecycle
The new group is designed to support retailers through every phase of their real estate and store development strategies, from concept planning and prototype development to architecture, construction management, and portfolio-wide implementation.
According to JLL, the integrated model enables retailers to work with a single team that coordinates every aspect of store development, improving operational efficiency and accelerating project delivery.
The Retail Solutions Group is already working with multi-unit retail clients to transform their physical locations and enhance customer experiences across their portfolios.
Veteran Retail Executive to Lead New Platform
Bateman brings more than three decades of experience in retail strategy, business development, and integrated service delivery. Throughout his career, he has advised leading brands in convenience retail, grocery, restaurants, specialty retail, and e-commerce.
Before joining JLL, Bateman served at WD Partners, where he helped retailers align strategic growth initiatives with evolving market opportunities.
“Mark’s strategic vision, extensive relationships, retail services experience and proven track record as a trusted advisor to some of the world’s largest and most recognizable retail brands position him to drive the Retail Solutions Group’s mission of delivering scalable, innovative solutions that keep clients competitive in an ever-changing market,” Molinini said.
Bateman said the formation of the Retail Solutions Group reflects the rapid evolution of today’s retail environment.
“The retail landscape continues to evolve at an accelerated pace, demanding that brands constantly reimagine how they connect with consumers,” he said. “The formation of Retail Solutions Group is an essential evolution of JLL’s retail business strategy and positions us to better enable clients to execute their visions with greater agility and impact, streamlining how brands bring experiences to market.”
“I look forward to delivering unrivaled consistency, speed and impact to JLL clients seeking to plan, design, build and scale their physical environments,” Bateman added.
Strengthening Architecture Leadership
Joining Bateman is Kevin Songer, who comes to JLL after more than 21 years at Gensler, where he most recently served as Principal and Co-Managing Director of the firm’s Atlanta office.
Songer has led retail and workplace projects for global brands and brings extensive experience in architecture, business development, and project delivery. He holds dual degrees in architecture and interior architecture from Auburn University and is a registered architect in Georgia and Alabama as well as a LEED Accredited Professional.
“Kevin’s success in leading complex retail projects for global clients, combined with his strategic leadership capabilities, makes him an exceptional addition to our Retail Solutions Group,” Bateman said. “His expertise managing large-scale retail programs will be instrumental as we continue to provide our clients with seamless, end-to-end solutions that integrate strategy, design, architecture and execution.”
Integrated Team Structure
The Retail Solutions Group will operate through three core practice areas:
- Retail Design, Branding and Digital, led by Josh Broehl
- Retail Architecture, led by Russell Baumann, Keith Heinemann, and Amy Sjursen
- Multi-Site Project Management, led by Ken Demske
The new organization expands JLL’s Project and Development Services platform, one of the world’s largest commercial real estate project delivery businesses. JLL’s PDS division includes more than 9,300 project managers across 80 countries, overseeing approximately $87.4 billion in projects annually, along with more than 600 designers working from 65 studios in over 30 countries.
The launch of the Retail Solutions Group reflects growing demand from retailers seeking integrated partners capable of helping them adapt to changing consumer expectations while efficiently managing large-scale store portfolios across multiple markets.
