Posted: 02-Dec-25
Location: Southeast,
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Required Education:
LOCATION: Southeast
POSITION SUMMARY:
Our Client is seeking a highly skilled and proactive Vice President of Real Estate responsible for overseeing the strategy, performance, and optimization of a nationwide portfolio of retail store locations. This role is accountable for all aspects of lease negotiation, renewals, relocations, and new site acquisitions, ensuring alignment with the company’s growth objectives and operational goals. The VP will work closely with internal departments—including Real Estate, Finance, Legal, Construction, and Store Operations—as well as landlords and brokers, to manage a high-performing and cost-effective retail footprint across all markets.
The ideal candidate will bring extensive retail leasing expertise, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and a collaborative, proactive and engaging approach to the Retail Leasing function. As a key leadership member, you will provide practical, solution-oriented, strategic perspectives and actions while balancing long and short-term leasing strategies to and corporate objectives. You foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration. Our Client values innovation, collaboration, and a forward-thinking approach. If you are ready to advance your career with a dynamic organization, we want to hear from you.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Portfolio Management: Lead the strategic oversight of the company’s retail real estate portfolio across all U.S. markets, including lease negotiations, renewals, restructures, terminations, relocations, and new site acquisitions.
- Lease Strategy & Optimization: Develop and execute proactive leasing strategies to support brand expansion, right-sizing, and market repositioning, while optimizing occupancy costs and improving store performance.
- Site Selection & Market Planning: Collaborate with Real Estate, Construction, Finance, and Store Operations teams to evaluate market opportunities, identify high-potential locations, and make data-driven decisions on new store openings and closures.
- Team Management: Oversee, manage and provide continued professional development of the Retail Leasing team.
- Landlord & Broker Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with landlords, developers, and national brokerage partners to secure favorable lease terms and early access to desirable sites.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Legal, Construction, Finance, and Store Operations teams to ensure seamless execution of store openings, remodels, relocations, and closings.
- Financial Analysis & Budgeting: Manage leasing budgets, approve deal structures, and evaluate financial implications of lease terms; prepare and present real estate investment proposals to executive leadership.
- Process Improvement & Compliance: Establish leasing policies, procedures, and reporting standards to ensure efficiency, consistency, and compliance across all transactions.
- Performance Monitoring: Track key metrics, including occupancy costs, lease expirations, and sales performance by location; leverage insights to make portfolio optimization recommendations.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Finance, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- 10+ years of experience in retail real estate, with at least 5 years in a senior leasing or portfolio management role for a national or multi-regional retail brand.
- Demonstrated expertise in lease negotiations, site selection, and portfolio optimization.
- Strong analytical skills with experience in financial modeling and market analysis.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with internal stakeholders and external partners.
- Strategic thinker with strong executional capability and a track record of driving results.
- Proficient in real estate technology platforms and lease administration systems.
- Willingness to travel regularly to key markets and retail locations.