Sr Director, Real Estate & Portfolio Management

Learning Care Group•Novi, MI

About The Position

The Senior Director, Real Estate Development & Portfolio Management directs the Real Estate Development team's pursuit and negotiation of new Greenfield development and sale-leaseback transactions with developers, brokers, and capital partners. The role also directs the Portfolio Management team's negotiation of lease renewals, terminations, and landlord relationships across the Company's existing portfolio. It drives deal strategy and negotiation from initial concept through final terms but does not hold final signature authority; all transactions require approval from the Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth & Real Estate. This position is based in Novi, MI. The role leads and develops the Real Estate Development and Portfolio Management teams, oversees development and portfolio reporting, and partners with Finance, Operations, Construction, and Legal to align development timelines, budgets, and lease terms with Company objectives. It may support acquisition evaluations as directed, though acquisition activity is infrequent and not a primary function of the role.

Requirements

8+ years of progressive real estate experience spanning development, transaction negotiation, and lease/portfolio management within a national multi-unit, retail, or franchise organization.
Demonstrated experience negotiating complex real estate transactions, including ground leases, sale-leaseback structures, and lease renewals.
Prior experience managing and developing a team.
Proven ability to structure and negotiate development, sale-leaseback, and lease renewal transactions with developers, investors, and landlords.
Strong financial acumen and ability to evaluate deal economics and portfolio performance to inform recommendations.
Executive-level communication and presentation skills, including the ability to present recommendations to senior and executive leadership.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team while managing multiple concurrent transactions and deadlines.
Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with Construction, Operations, Finance, and Legal.
Working knowledge of market and site analysis software such as CoStar and demographic/trade area modeling software such as Kalibrate.
Working knowledge of lease administration/portfolio management databases such as Lucernex or similar, and Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to work with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities across a large, geographically dispersed portfolio.
Ability to communicate confidently and credibly with senior and executive leadership, translating complex real estate and financial details into clear, decision-ready recommendations.
Initiative and decisiveness when pursuing new opportunities and handling tough challenges.
Ability to make sound, timely decisions using analysis, judgment, and experience.
Skill in negotiation and gaining commitment from internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to interpret and apply key financial indicators to inform business recommendations.
Ability to build the capability of teams led.
Excellent customer service skills with internal and external customers.
Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proficient time management and organizational skills, with the ability to meet established deadlines.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree is preferred; equivalent real-world real estate experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Responsibilities

Direct the Real Estate Development team's market strategy, trade area analysis, and site selection process for new Greenfield construction development opportunities.
Lead negotiations with developers, brokers, and sellers on new development transactions, from letter of intent through lease or purchase execution, in partnership with Legal and Construction.
Structure and negotiate sale-leaseback transactions with institutional investors and capital partners, coordinating deal terms with Finance and Legal.
Present new Greenfield development transactions at Real Estate Committee (REC) meetings for approval.
Partner with the Strategic Partnerships division to support market data and site analysis for PLA and employer/on-site partnership opportunities; the role does not direct PLA or on-site activity.
Support evaluation of opportunistic acquisition opportunities as directed by the Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth & Real Estate.
Direct the Portfolio Management team's lease renewal, lease termination, and landlord negotiation activity across the existing portfolio of Company locations.
Oversee monitoring of critical lease dates, rent/CAM/tax billing review, and lease abstraction and compliance across the portfolio.
Maintain and strengthen relationships with the Company's landlords, developers, and brokers to support new development and portfolio objectives.
Partner with Finance, including the Director, Strategic Growth and Real Estate (Finance), to evaluate underperforming or non-strategic locations for sale, sublease, or closure, and prepare and deliver recommendations in senior and executive-level presentations.
Manage, develop, and coach the Real Estate Development and Portfolio Management teams.
Prepare and present development pipeline and portfolio reporting to senior and executive leadership.
Partner with Operations, Construction, Finance, and Legal to ensure development timelines, budgets, and lease terms align with Company objectives.
Negotiate and structure development and lease transactions for review and final approval; transactions require sign-off from the Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth & Real Estate.
Perform other duties as assigned.