Sr. Manager, Real Estate

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
As a contributing team member of the Real Estate Department, the Sr. Real Estate Manager directs Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s real estate activities within their territory to achieve company and franchisee development objectives for new cafe openings and relocations. This role works closely with franchise sales team members, design & construction project managers, landlords and developers to ensure that all cafe locations are physically appropriate and can be built out to Tropical Smoothie Cafe standards. The Sr. Real Estate Manager is responsible for establishing development strategies by market within a geographically assigned territory while interfacing with field operations representatives to ensure franchisees are ready to expand in the region. This role assists franchisees in site selection, letter of intent (LOI) negotiation, lease negotiation and provide education on leasing best practices. The Sr. Real Estate Manager position is a quota driven position with a minimum of 40 fully executed leases per annum required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Tracks and manages development schedules to ensure lease execution dates and key benchmarks are met
  • Maintains a pipeline of real estate deals that is equal to 125% of Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s planned store opening requirements at the start of each fiscal year for the territory
  • Researches and analyzes existing and potential trade areas via demographic variables, pedestrian counts, activity generators, competition and space/site availability
  • Analyzes and recommends sites; completes site data reports in a timely fashion using all available systems and information
  • Updates and reports data cross functionally on pending sites to ensure that site status is accurately represented
  • Manages the workflow and oversees the relationship of the territory’s network of Tropical Smoothie Cafe approved real estate brokers employed by franchisees
  • Coordinates document flow and projects accurate lease execution dates
  • Utilizes necessary resources to resolve issues of encroachment and impact in a geographic area
  • Educates and monitors franchisees, approved real estate brokers and attorneys on Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s site selection criteria and the real estate process
  • Works closely with the field team and franchisees to ensure site selection provides the opportunity for superior ROI and the maximum rent factor as a percentage of estimated sales is reviewed to avoid financial performance issues related to real estate acquisitions
  • Accurately projects timelines to senior management and the field team to ensure accurate revenue projects and timely preparation of operations
  • Works closely with other members of the Construction & Real Estate departments to manage comprehensive, strategic growth, and asset management strategy. Tracks and closely monitors real estate deal progression from site selection, LOI negotiation, Lease negotiation to fully executed lease.
  • Completes a Lease Abstract following full execution of every lease
  • Achieves period, quarterly and annual lease execution goals to ensure company cafe opening plans can be met and proceed in a timely manner
  • Works cross-functionally when necessary to assist in resolving permitting/licensing issues, identifying and resolving unanticipated issues that may arise during the permitting, construction and opening processes
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
  • 5-7 years of experience in Real Estate or a related field
  • 3-5 years of experience managing in a franchise development environment, preferably in the QSR or fast-casual market
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Real Estate, or a related field
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, KNOWLEDGE, OR LICENSES
  • Knowledge of real estate management principles and techniques
  • Knowledge of budgeting and fiscal management principles and procedures
  • Self-starter; able to clarify ambiguity and create solutions
  • Excellent communication skills and proven ability to set manage agencies to a range of high-quality, on brand, creative work
  • Advanced knowledge of MS Office and MS Office Suite software
  • Ability to understand and manage contractual arrangements
  • Skilled in conducting real estate development feasibility studies and analyses
  • Ability to work cross-functionally and build working relationships through collaboration, influence and negotiation to successfully accomplish a task
  • Strong project management and organizational skills with proven problem-solving abilities
  • Strong ability to examine and re-engineer operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures
  • Ability to work on tight deadlines in a fast-paced, team environment
  • Resourceful and organized with an appreciation and attention towards important details
  • Ability to exude emotional intelligence
  • Ability to direct the tone and direction of all interactions with franchisees and vendors
  • Must always demonstrate and practice the corporate values and behaviors and act in an ethical and lawful manner
WORKING CONDITIONS
  • 40% travel required
  • Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, quota driven environment
SAFETY HAZARDS ON THE JOB
  • Minimal hazards. General office working conditions
BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITY
  • This position has no direct budgetary responsibility. However, through the performance of its essential job duties, this position can impact company costs and revenue streams.
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