VP, Real Estate Strategy & Store Development

AKIRA – VP, Real Estate Strategy & Store Development Location: Chicago, IL Reports to: COO / Ownership The Role We’re hiring a single accountable leader to own AKIRA’s entire store‑development motion — from real estate strategy and lease negotiation through construction, new‑store openings, remodels, and ongoing store facilities. What You’ll Own Real estate strategy and portfolio management — multi‑year roadmap, market selection, portfolio scorecard, and recommendations to ownership. Lease deal‑making — renewals, new deals, relocations, negotiations, and landlord relationships. Zero missed renewals. New store construction and openings — LOI to doors‑open on a single accountable schedule, executed through a national GC partner network. Remodels, end to end — which stores, what scope, what ROI, and execution. Store facilities and store‑side procurement — ongoing R&M, energy, and national sourcing for everything that touches the stores (excluding merchandise). Team leadership — leading and developing our construction team and managing outside brokers, architects, and GCs. Non‑Negotiables Nationwide experience — personally led real estate and construction across the entire U.S., operating across markets, time zones, and climate zones. A proven national GC rolodex — active, working relationships with general contractors you’ve personally hired and held accountable across multiple regions. Be prepared to discuss specific firms and projects. Mall experience is required — negotiated with major mall REITs (Simon, Brookfield, Macerich, Washington Prime, Tanger, etc.) and understands the economics, leverage points, and operating rhythms of mall leasing, including TI packages, co‑tenancy, percentage rent, and CAM. Specialty retail at scale — 10+ years leading real estate, construction, and/or store‑development at a multi‑unit specialty retailer in the 50–200 store range, ideally fast‑fashion, apparel, or beauty. Opening velocity — documented track record of opening 15+ new stores per year while running a concurrent remodel program. Capital discipline — managed $25MM+ annual capital budgets with clear cost‑per‑square‑foot targets and delivered against them. Dealmaker — advanced lease financial modeling (NPV, occupancy %, EBITDA impact) and a documented history of winning meaningful TI, free rent, CAM caps, and co‑tenancy protections. Travel — significant national travel for site tours, landlord meetings, GC walks, and store openings. Strongly Preferred Experience evolving an internal construction function toward a leaner, GC‑orchestrated model. Procurement and sourcing experience for indirect goods and services across a retail fleet. Facilities leadership across a national store fleet — preventative maintenance, energy management, national R&M programs. Comfort presenting to ownership or a board and operating as a senior voice in the room. Lifestyle center, outlet, and street‑retail negotiation experience in addition to enclosed malls. Owner’s mindset — you make decisions like the company’s money is your money. Benefits And Perks AKIRA offers competitive benefits for full‑time employees, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet Insurance, Life, LTD, FSA/HSA/Dependent Care FSA, Flex Transit (CTA), 401(k), and a generous employee discount. We’re committed to internal growth, providing meaningful development and career advancement opportunities. Job Type: Full-Time We are committed to fair and transparent compensation practices. Compensation for this position will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job‑related factors. Additional compensation and benefits may also apply and will be discussed during the hiring process. We may utilize AI‑assisted and automated tools as part of the recruiting and hiring process. All employment decisions are made in compliance with applicable laws and without discrimination. #J-18808-Ljbffr AKIRA