Regional Real Estate Manager

Wawa•Lexington, KY

About The Position

The Regional Real Estate Manager manages real estate assets and supports site review, acquisition, and development of new store locations. The role also identifies opportunities to improve or enhance existing properties across an assigned geographic territory. The manager develops market optimization plans, assesses potential sites and their financial returns, negotiates acquisitions, and coordinates contract, planning, and entitlement activities with internal teams and external partners. The position works with legal, engineering, and other resources to advance projects, represents Wawa at planning and zoning board meetings, and maintains relationships with brokers, developers, landlords, and consultants. It also supports existing-store improvement projects and surplus property disposal. The role requires extensive travel, work outside normal business hours including evenings and weekends, and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently and collaboratively.

Requirements

At least five years of experience in retail and/or commercial real estate.
Understanding of retail operations and the business model.
Knowledge of local zoning law applications and local site development real estate trends.
Must be based in Kentucky or have direct experience working on commercial real estate transactions within Kentucky, and be willing to relocate to Kentucky if not currently local.
Excellent understanding of real estate finance.
Ability to travel extensively and work outside normal business hours, including evenings and weekends.
Effective oral and written communication, analytical, consultative, facilitation, project management, and presentation skills.
High degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
Ability to negotiate effectively, manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
Real estate license preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain a market optimization plan for the assigned geographic territory.
Identify potential new locations and assess costs, returns on investment, and land acquisition or lease-versus-buy options.
Prepare detailed site analyses for proposed locations, including alternative properties in the area.
Negotiate acquisition of new site locations and establish acquisition and development strategies.
Manage the contract process and critical dates in coordination with legal staff.
Coordinate with engineering staff and external resources on planning and entitlement processes.
Represent and testify for Wawa at planning and zoning board meetings.
Maintain a network of brokers, developers, landlords, legal counsel, engineering consultants, traffic consultants, and other outside resources.
Manage costs, expenses, and financial projections while minimizing potential write-offs.
Participate in monthly internal land development meetings and communicate pipeline project status.
Communicate regularly with legal staff regarding REA and access agreements, covenants, and other required documentation.
Participate in post-opening reviews of stores in the assigned territory.
Stay actively involved in local political processes affecting store development in the territory.
Identify stores that could improve sales through acquisition of additional property for retail space or parking, participating in the portfolio process.
Participate in the disposal of surplus properties as assigned.
Negotiate terms of additions or acquisitions for site improvement projects with landlords and owners.
Coordinate approval of site expansions with engineering staff and outside resources.
Communicate effectively, analyze information, propose solutions, and present information professionally.
Negotiate effectively and handle multiple priorities independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.