Sr Director, Real Estate & Portfolio Management

Learning Care Group•Novi, CA

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, and directs the Portfolio Management team's negotiation of lease renewals, terminations, and landlord relationships across the Company's existing portfolio. The role drives deal strategy and negotiation from initial concept through final terms but does not have final signature authority. All transactions require approval from the Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth & Real Estate. The position is based in Novi, Michigan. The Senior Director oversees development strategy, market and trade-area analysis, site selection, transaction structuring, lease administration, portfolio performance reviews, and team leadership. The role partners with Legal, Construction, Operations, Finance, and Strategic Partnerships, and presents recommendations and portfolio reporting to senior and executive leadership. Acquisition opportunities may be evaluated when directed, but are infrequent and not a primary function of the role.

Requirements

At least 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.
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.
Excellent customer service skills with internal and external customers.
Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proficient time management and organizational skills, with ability to meet established deadlines.
Executive presence: communicates confidently and credibly with senior and executive leadership, translating complex real estate and financial detail into clear, decision-ready recommendations.
Action oriented: takes initiative and is quick and decisive on new opportunities and tough challenges.
Decision quality: makes sound, timely decisions using analysis, judgment, and experience.
Persuades skillfully in negotiations and gains commitment from internal and external stakeholders.
Financial acumen: interprets and applies key financial indicators to inform business recommendations.
Develops talent by building the capability of the teams they lead.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Direct market strategy, trade-area analysis, and site selection 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 Strategic Partnerships to support market data and site analysis for PLA and employer/on-site partnership opportunities; Strategic Partnerships leads PLA and on-site activity.
Support evaluation of opportunistic acquisition opportunities as directed by the Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth & Real Estate.
Direct lease renewal, lease termination, and landlord negotiation activity across the Company's existing portfolio of locations.
Oversee monitoring of critical lease dates, review of rent/CAM/tax billing, and lease abstraction and compliance across the portfolio.
Maintain and strengthen relationships with landlords, developers, and brokers to support 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; 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 align development timelines, budgets, and lease terms with Company objectives.
Negotiate and structure development and lease transactions for review and final approval; obtain sign-off from the Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth & Real Estate.
Perform other duties as assigned.