Real Estate Director

Summary:

The Real Estate Director is responsible for leading the company’s real estate strategy, overseeing site selection, lease negotiations, asset management, subleasing, and tenant coordination across all locations. This role also manages renovation and remodeling projects to support store growth, operational efficiency, and brand consistency. The Director works closely with internal departments and external partners to optimize the company’s real estate portfolio, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive initiatives that enhance property performance and reduce occupancy costs. The ideal candidate combines strong commercial real estate expertise, renovation oversight experience, and strategic leadership skills to support the company’s expansion and operational goals.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the company’s real estate and renovation strategy to support long-term expansion, relocation, remodeling, and portfolio optimization goals.
• Oversee new site acquisitions, lease negotiations, renewals, expansions, relocations, subleasing activities, tenant coordination, and asset management across all locations.
• Evaluate potential markets, conduct site surveys, and lead financial feasibility analyses for new stores and renovation projects.
• Negotiate and secure favorable lease terms, ensuring alignment with financial objectives, operational needs, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Direct and manage renovation and remodeling projects, including scoping, budgeting, vendor coordination, timeline management, and project closeout.
• Oversee subleasing activities and tenant coordination efforts to ensure timely lease execution, buildout compliance, and operational readiness for sub-tenants.
• Monitor and manage the real estate portfolio, ensuring timely rent payments, NNN reconciliations, compliance with lease terms, and proactive landlord relationship management.
• Identify real estate portfolio risks, underperforming assets, and renovation opportunities to enhance property performance and value.
• Develop and manage real estate and renovation budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting for executive leadership.
• Implement and maintain systems for lease administration, critical date tracking, renovation project tracking, and financial analysis.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with construction, operations, finance, legal, and marketing teams to align real estate and renovation initiatives with business objectives.
• Lead internal and external project teams, including real estate managers, brokers, architects, contractors, and consultants to ensure successful project execution.
• Prepare and present executive reporting on real estate transactions, renovation projects, occupancy metrics, market opportunities, and risk assessments.
• Stay updated on industry trends, construction standards, regulatory changes, and real estate market conditions to guide strategic decisions.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, lease obligations, building codes, and safety standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Construction Management, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in real estate management, commercial leasing, asset management, and renovation oversight, with at least 5+ years in a senior leadership or director-level role.
• Bilingual in English and Mandarin is strongly preferred.
• Proven expertise in site selection, lease negotiation, subleasing, tenant coordination, and portfolio management.
• Strong understanding of retail store renovation processes, including permitting, vendor management, buildout oversight, and construction timelines.
• Experience managing large, multi-state retail real estate portfolios, including ownership of expansion, relocation, and remodel strategies.
• Proficiency with real estate management systems and project tracking software (e.g., Yardi, Lucernex, Procore, or similar platforms).
• Strong knowledge of leasing terms, NNN reconciliations, CAM charges, sublease agreements, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills to manage relationships with landlords, brokers, tenants, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Financial acumen to manage large capital expenditure budgets, forecasting, and business case development.
• Ability to manage multiple large-scale real estate and renovation projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive in identifying and resolving real estate and construction-related issues.
• Experience mentoring and developing internal real estate, leasing, and project management teams.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
  
• 401 (k) Retirement Saving Plan with 4% Company Match.
  
• Long-Term Services Award.
  
• Employee Discount.
  
• Paid Time Off.