Senior Leasing Representative – Canada

The Subway HR Team•Toronto, ON

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Subway Canada is seeking a technically strong and detail-oriented Senior Leasing Representative to join our Canadian Leasing team. This role is a critical member of the Development team, responsible for the full lifecycle management of a defined portfolio of restaurant leases across an assigned region or province. This role acts as the primary interface between the brand, franchisees, landlords, and brokers—driving value through proactive lease management, rent optimization, risk mitigation, and strategic real estate support. The Leasing Manager serves as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor, ensuring lease obligations align with brand objectives while supporting franchisee profitability and long-term network health. This is an in-office role based in Etobicoke, Toronto, ON, working closely with the Real Estate, Construction, and Franchise Development teams to support Subway Canada’s growth and restaurant modernization initiatives.

Requirements

5–10+ years of commercial leasing, real estate, or asset management experience, preferably within QSR, retail, or franchised environments.
Strong expertise in lease negotiation, including complex financial structures and legal clauses.
Experience in market analysis and determining fair market rents
Demonstrated ability to manage high-volume portfolios with competing priorities.
Proven track record of delivering measurable value through rent reductions, lease restructures, or risk mitigation.
Strong understanding of Canadian commercial leasing practices, including regional nuances.
Proficiency in lease management systems and financial analysis tools.
Highly organized and self-motivated with the ability to manage workload independently and prioritize effectively.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work cross-functionally and engage franchisees professionally.
Ability to adapt quickly and manage shifting priorities in a fast-paced development environment.
Must be able to multi-task in a high pressure, high-paced environment

Nice To Haves

Experience working with franchise models and supporting independent operators is highly preferred.
Bi-Lingual (English/French) capability an added asset
Real Estate Designations an added asset

Responsibilities

Oversee a portfolio of restaurant leases, ensuring all critical dates, options, and obligations are proactively managed.
Lead lease renewals, extensions, and renegotiations, optimizing terms to improve occupancy costs and flexibility.
Identify and mitigate lease-related risks, including restrictive clauses, co-tenancy risks, exclusivity conflicts, and redevelopment exposure.
Maintain accurate lease records and critical date tracking within internal systems.
Lead rent negotiations, including base rent, percentage rent, CAM/TMI structures, and landlord contributions.
Execute lease liability negotiations, including early exits, assignments, subleases, and termination agreements.
Develop and leverage rent comparables, market data, and portfolio insights to inform negotiation strategies.
Partner with Finance and Development to evaluate occupancy cost ratios and portfolio performance.
Build and maintain strong, strategic relationships with key landlords, REITs, developers, and brokerage partners.
Represent the brand in negotiations to secure favorable terms and long-term partnerships.
Act as the escalation point for landlord-related issues, including disputes, enforcement, and property concerns.
Act as a trusted advisor to franchisees on lease matters, providing guidance on obligations, risks, and opportunities.
Support franchisees through renewals, relocations, and restructuring discussions.
Partner with cross-functional teams to align lease strategies with franchisee performance and market conditions.
Support closure mitigation strategies by negotiating lease exits, restructures, or temporary relief.
Lead real estate aspects of relocations, including lease terminations and new site negotiations.
Collaborate with Development and Operations to proactively identify at-risk locations and develop action plans.
Partner with the Real Estate team on site selection, providing input on lease structures, landlord profiles, and market conditions.
Support LOI negotiations, ensuring alignment with brand standards and long-term flexibility.
Provide insights on trade areas, landlord quality, and deal viability.
Support resolution of property-related issues, including maintenance disputes, CAM reconciliations, and landlord compliance.
Review and challenge landlord charges where applicable to ensure accuracy and fairness.
Represent the brand at industry events such as ICSC and other real estate forums.
Maintain strong awareness of market trends, landlord strategies, and leasing dynamics across regions.
Continuously benchmark portfolio performance against market conditions.