Real Estate Manager

Description Who We Are Go! Retail Group, based in Austin, Texas, is a national specialty retailer and the parent company to several iconic retail brands, including Go! Toys, Toys“R”Us, Babies“R”Us, Attic Salt, Wonder World, and other global brands. We are the world’s largest operator of holiday pop-up stores, operating hundreds of locations in malls, outlets, shopping centers, and lifestyle centers across the United States. What We Are Looking For We are seeking a seasoned Real Estate Manager with a proven track record in specialty or commercial leasing. If you enjoy collaborating with mall and shopping center leasing managers and thrive in a dynamic retail environment, this role may be a great fit for you. This position is 100% in-office and based in Austin, Texas. The Real Estate Manager must bring strong specialty or commercial leasing experience and exceptional negotiation skills. This role reports directly to an executive leader and works closely with a highly collaborative team. The position requires daily communication with the real estate and retail operations teams, as well as close partnership with shopping center developers to support business objectives. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, brings positive energy, and values teamwork and humor. This individual must demonstrate strong attention to detail, excellent organizational and communication skills, and the ability to work independently. A results-oriented mindset, eagerness to learn, and solid retail knowledge are essential. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Why Choose Us We operate with a start-up mindset fueled by creativity, innovation, and a passion for retail. We are not a conventional retailer—we sell fun, engaging products and create memorable experiences. You will work alongside collaborative, high-energy professionals who love retail, work hard, and genuinely enjoy what they do. Essential Functions Partner closely with the VP of Real Estate to achieve company and department goals. Negotiate economically sound deals for year-round and seasonal inline and kiosk locations to achieve sales and occupancy cost goals; negotiate renewals and relocations as needed. Review portfolios, identify target locations, secure opportunities, and forecast sales potential and profitability to negotiate optimal deal terms. Submit deals for ownership approval and renegotiate terms as necessary. Own the process from deal submission through lease execution, resolving internal and external issues as they arise. Collaborate with the Real Estate Support team to ensure smooth lease execution; request leases and address lease term issues. Track and understand lease payables; partner with Real Estate Administrators to resolve billing issues. Analyze store sizes and concepts to maximize inline opportunities; collaborate with Store Display to address space optimization issues. Assign kiosks appropriately based on developer requests and company inventory. Regularly review developer portfolios to identify and secure opportunities and test new concepts. Identify new locations to drive revenue growth. Build and manage strong relationships with landlords, developers, and business partners. Communicate with operators to identify optimal locations, assess competition, and monitor mall and community developments to set realistic sales expectations. Serve as liaison between mall/developers and Store Operations to resolve issues in partnership with the VP of Real Estate. Maintain a comprehensive understanding of company initiatives and their business impact; assist in implementation as needed. Develop productive partnerships with internal departments, particularly Store Operations and Store Display. Run standard reports using in-house software tools to track deal activity, account status, occupancy costs, sales forecasts, and related metrics. Prepare and distribute critical date reports; maintain a tracking system for important deadlines and tasks. Assist in preparing end-of-year developer recaps, analysis, and business trend reports to inform future goals. Contribute as a valuable member of the Real Estate team. Position is 100% in-office in Austin, TX, with limited travel. May include future direct reports. Qualifications / Basic Requirements 2–4 years of specialty leasing experience (commercial leasing experience considered). Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) or equivalent relevant experience in lieu of degree. Strong negotiation skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment, operating at both strategic and tactical levels. Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to prioritize effectively. Proactive, forward-thinking mindset. Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on driving efficiencies. Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously. Passionate, energetic, and results-driven. Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. High degree of reliability, sound judgment, and professionalism. Ability to work effectively under pressure while remaining flexible, resourceful, and efficient. Strong time management and analytical skills. Ability to simplify complex issues into actionable solutions. Experience presenting decisions and recommendations to senior leadership in evolving environments. Benefits and Perks Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Generous employee discount at our retail stores Bonus opportunities Relaxed dress code Strong 401(k) match Generous PTO program Paid maternity leave Birthday day off Company events and additional fun perks Collaborative, open-door environment with a family atmosphere A great place to build and grow your career This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this position. The actual duties, responsibilities, and qualification may vary based on assignment. Go! Retail Group is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, gender, age, national origin, religion, marital status, veteran status, or sexual orientation. #J-18808-Ljbffr