Position Overview: Director of Real Estate & Risk Management
Location: Orange County, California
Position Type: Full-Time, Salaried / Exempt
Compensation Range: $170,000 annually + Comprehensive Executive Benefits Package
About the Opportunity
Culinaire Staffing has been exclusively retained to lead the search for a strategic, multi-faceted Director of Real Estate and Risk Management on behalf of a premier, industry-leading hospitality and commercial real estate enterprise based in Orange County, California.
This enterprise manages an iconic national portfolio of celebrated dining destinations, premium waterfront commercial properties, landmark entertainment venues, and corporate aviation assets. We are seeking a seasoned executive to lead the administration, operational performance, and comprehensive protection of the organization's real estate, facilities, and risk portfolios.
The ideal candidate brings a unique hybrid of commercial asset management acumen, enterprise risk mitigation expertise, and multi-unit hospitality or retail operational savvy.
Key Responsibilities
Real Estate & Asset ManagementOversee day-to-day management of assigned commercial properties, vacant assets, and properties held for sale, ensuring premier maintenance, physical security, market readiness, and top-tier vendor performance.
Act as the company’s principal representative for assigned property-management matters, safeguarding contractual owner and landlord obligations.
Administer existing and new leases, including tracking critical dates, rent and common-area-maintenance (CAM) obligations, tenant and landlord compliance, vacancy reporting, and strategic lease renewals.
Maintain auditable property records, comprehensive condition documentation, and a proactive annual inspection program across all facilities.
Source, vet, and evaluate vendors, secure competitive bidding, negotiate terms, supervise capital improvements, and authorize expenditures within delegation limits.
Formulate and monitor long-term preventive-maintenance and capital-improvement schedules to preserve asset integrity and extend useful life.
Direct leasing and disposition activities by maintaining show-ready presentations and collaborating seamlessly with brokers, legal consultants, and prospective users.
Develop and administer comprehensive property and risk-management operational budgets, rolling cash-flow forecasts, operating reviews, and targeted corrective-action plans.
Analyze monthly financial statements, budget variances, accounts receivable, and return-on-investment (ROI) models related to acquisitions, dispositions, renovations, and capital projects.
Partner closely with Corporate Accounting to ensure accurate revenue documentation, timely lease collections, and immaculate audit trails.
Participate in weekly executive development and portfolio reviews, delivering concise, actionable reports regarding project milestones, cash flows, insurance exposures, and material risks.
Spearhead the enterprise risk management (ERM) program covering multi-unit hospitality operations, employees, guests, real estate assets, aviation holdings, and general business liabilities.
Direct annual insurance renewals, coverage adequacy reviews, certificates of insurance audits, and strategic relationships with brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators (TPAs).
Oversee the rapid reporting, thorough investigation, and resolution of claims, incidents, and property damage in partnership with Human Resources, Legal, and Operations leadership.
Analyze historical loss and incident trends to identify root-cause exposures, instituting proactive corrective action plans to control the total cost of risk.
Partner with field leaders to enforce consistent safety, security, emergency preparedness, and loss-prevention protocols across all locations.
Monitor contractual risk-transfer provisions, indemnification clauses, and regulatory compliance standards, systematically resolving operational gaps.
Oversee the administration and compliance documentation of corporate aviation assets, including maintenance schedules, usage logs, vendor coordination, and specialized insurance policies.
Cultivate highly collaborative cross-functional relationships across departments, external tenants, property owners, and municipal consultants.
Qualifications & Candidate Profile
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, Risk Management, Property Management, or a closely related discipline (or equivalent professional experience).
Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of progressive, hands-on leadership experience in commercial real estate, asset management, or lease administration.
Technical Expertise: Demonstrated command of commercial lease negotiation, property accounting statements, capital project oversight, and regulatory compliance.
Risk & Safety Background: Proven track record managing corporate risk, commercial liability insurance, multi-location safety programs, and claims litigation management.
Industry Preference: Prior experience within hospitality, restaurant operations, retail, or other customer-facing, multi-unit environments is highly preferred.
Portfolio Scope: Experience managing a multi-state or nationwide portfolio is strongly valued.
Credentials: Professional certifications or advanced designations (such as CRM, CPCU, JD, ARM, CPM, RPA, or equivalent) are viewed as a significant plus.
Executive Benefits & Perks
Competitive base salary $170,000
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) supporting wellness, childcare, groceries, or student loans
Corporate dining package with monthly allotment
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Paid time off, floating holidays, and major paid holidays
Education Assistance Program (EdAP) and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Management referral incentive bonuses