Real Estate Manager

Rooms To Go is seeking a “Real Estate Manager.” The company operates in the Southeast US and Texas with varied store formats between 9,000 & 60,000 square feet. Led by its Real Estate team, the Company self-develops freestanding retail stores in several formats, clearance stores, and distribution centers. (Although it prefers to own its properties, it does operate in a few select leased locations.) The company is very stable, with a congenial culture. It has a flat organizational structure requiring the ability to effectively interact with senior management and owners on a regular basis. They focus on growing the store base by relocating/expanding/ remodeling older stores and by rolling out a new store concept in its existing markets. Its Real Estate team has primary responsibility for identifying sites, negotiating purchases and leases with sellers and landlords, as well as all zoning and site approval processes for the Company’s real estate portfolio. The real estate team also handles all of the company’s excess real estate. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES “Road Warrior” role with consistent travel to various markets to work with real estate brokers, ensure up to date market knowledge from on-the-ground experience and find opportunities for the company. Primary responsibility to identify prospective retail (and occasional industrial) sites in support of Company’s collaborative Real Estate team. Investigate practical strategies to achieve future new store growth and to optimize the existing store network within the current markets. Ability to foster and maintain broker & developer relationships in various markets to identify sites for development, including attending local ICSC events as required. Gather market research for site submittals to include demographic analysis, competition summary property records, traffic counts, planned road improvements to be gathered from the local governmental municipalities, on‑line databases, drive around surveys, etc. Track competitors’ real estate strategies and provide recommendations accordingly. Familiarity with negotiation of retail real estate purchase contracts and leases, from LOI to final document form. Ability to work with property owners to negotiate mutually acceptable/reasonable terms for the purchase of real estate and for the occasional lease/lease renewal of property. Support efforts to either lease or sell surplus properties to mitigate excess occupancy costs and drive profitability. Support Lease Administration team effort to properly document and track all owned and leased properties in the Company portfolio. Coordinate development effort with Real Estate, Construction, Design, Legal and third-party engineers and environmental consultants for new store units, relocations, expansions, and lease renewals. Support team’s development effort by attending local zoning meetings and hearings as necessary to represent the company in new & expansion projects, in order to efficiently gain site plan approvals and turn projects over to Construction team for completion per approved plans. Maintain the team Pipeline Report. QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in the real estate vertical. 3-5 years proven experience in the SE region of the US in site analysis and real estate acquisition. Development experience preferred, but not required, and willingness and ability to learn the process of new real estate development is critical for future promotion. Strong leadership and self-supervisory skills. Strong reputation in the commercial real estate community. Comfortable with cold calling owners and brokers. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team player. Strong oral and written communication skills, with a collaborative team focus. Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities. Willingness to spend time in the field on a consistent basis. On-site position with significant travel required. #J-18808-Ljbffr Rooms To Go