Director, Real Estate

Group 1 Automotive, Inc. • Houston, TX

1d

About The Position

Group 1 Automotive, Inc., an international, Fortune 250 automotive retailer and a leading operator in the automotive retailing industry, is seeking an experienced and dynamic Director, Real Estate to join our team. Group 1 Automotive owns and operates automotive dealerships and collision centers in the United States and United Kingdom. We offer our associates a team environment, great benefits and ongoing training and support. If you are in alignment with our values of integrity, transparency, professionalism, teamwork, and respect - now might be the time for you to accelerate your career as part of the best company in automotive retail.
The Director, Real Estate is responsible for developing and executing the organization’s real estate strategy to support dealership growth, acquisitions, relocations, and portfolio optimization. This role oversees real estate transactions, site selection, lease negotiations, and due diligence for acquisitions and divestitures.
The Director partners closely with Finance, Legal, Operations, Construction, and M&A teams to evaluate financial performance, mitigate risk, and ensure successful execution of real estate initiatives. This position provides executive-level insights and strategic recommendations to senior leadership regarding market opportunities, portfolio management, and long-term real estate planning.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive real estate experience, preferably in retail, automotive, or multi-location environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex real estate transactions, including lease negotiations, property acquisitions, and dispositions.
• Strong knowledge of real estate contracts, including LOIs, PSAs, and lease agreements.
• Experience leading real estate due diligence for acquisitions and divestitures.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with Finance, Legal, Operations, Construction, and M&A teams.
• Strong financial and analytical skills with experience evaluating investment returns and real estate performance.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Travel up to 20% as needed

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing real estate portfolios for multi-location retail or automotive organizations.
• Knowledge of zoning, permitting, and environmental considerations in commercial real estate.
• Experience working in public companies or large corporate environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business, or related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred).

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute real estate strategies aligned with company growth initiatives, including dealership expansion, relocations, consolidations, and facility optimization.
• Evaluate market opportunities and site selection to support strategic business objectives.
• Manage and optimize the company’s real estate portfolio to ensure operational efficiency and long-term value creation.
• Lead and manage real estate transactions, including lease negotiations, letters of intent (LOIs), purchase and sale agreements (PSAs), and lease agreements.
• Oversee site acquisitions, lease renewals, property dispositions, and other real estate transactions.
• Partner with external brokers, landlords, developers, and legal advisors to negotiate favorable terms and ensure successful deal execution.
• Lead real estate due diligence efforts related to dealership acquisitions and divestitures.
• Evaluate property ownership structures, lease obligations, zoning requirements, and environmental considerations.
• Collaborate with M&A and Finance teams to assess transaction risks, costs, and strategic fit.
• Partner with Finance, Legal, Operations, Construction, and M&A teams to assess investment returns, manage risk, and align real estate decisions with business objectives.
• Coordinate with construction and development teams to ensure projects meet operational requirements and timelines
• Evaluate financial performance of real estate investments, including return analysis and cost-benefit evaluations.
• Identify risks related to property transactions, regulatory compliance, or operational impact and develop mitigation strategies.
• Provide executive-level reporting and strategic recommendations to senior leadership regarding real estate strategy, portfolio performance, and upcoming opportunities
• Prepare presentations and reports for executive leadership regarding transaction status, portfolio metrics, and strategic initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director