VP, Real Estate

VP, Real Estate

Job Purpose:

The Vice President, Real Estate will be responsible for leading, developing, directing, and coordinating Panera's Real Estate initiatives and strategies for the expansion of franchise and corporate cafes in respective territory. The position will manage all aspects of new caf development to support the company's rapid and profitable growth and manage a team of real estate Directors and Managers. They will assist in the overall market strategy for Panera's growth and be accountable for franchisee relationships. They will also use models/proformas and act in accordance with the Panera's guiding principles. The successful candidate will have a keen and up to date understanding of what is always happening in real estate in the local markets. They must have an executive presence, make fact-based decisions, and have the confidence to articulate them. The Vice President leadership role serves as the relationship partner to the franchisees and corporate partners in their development territory overseeing procedures/process and planning.

Location: Boston, MA (Hybrid) OR St. Louis, MO (Hybrid)

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversee all Real Estate within North America.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term Real Estate plans that support corporate goals and help drive sales while strengthening the Company's brand positioning and upholding Panera's brand integrity.
• Have responsibility for Real Estate decisions within the Region; present and align them to the executive committee with confidence and a professional and financially sound fact-based approach.
• Develop, negotiate, and structure Real Estate agreements using appropriate tools to model, analyze, and track expansion potential that are in the best long-term financial interest of Panera.
• Partner with the Design, Construction, Finance, and Operations to fully integrate a cost model with the stated brand direction and message.
• Partner with RE Strategy and Asset Management for maximizing the performance and value of the Company's portfolio of Real Estate assets in the Region through acquisitions, dispositions, and relocations. Responsible for collaborating to formulate and implement a long-range Real Estate asset management strategy.
• Deliver sites on time and on budget that will, in addition to delivering high ROIs, reinforce the Company's brand positioning and increase the market share.
• Manage the current Real Estate department and through hiring, coaching and retaining the best Real Estate talent, create a solid 'best in class' team.
• Oversee the development of broker relationships, negotiations, and real estate agreements that are in the best long-term financial interest of the Company and the Company's brand.
• Evaluate the Company's existing Real Estate sites to ensure they are meeting or exceeding the financial goals established, and if not, find effective solutions to get numbers back on track in a timely manner. Make changes and strategic decisions regarding real estate as necessary to keep the Region on plan and positioned for continued growth.
• Serve as a strong, strategic leader, rapidly putting an effective process in place and motivating his/her team to take a more pro-active approach to their functions.
• Review current and emerging trends in the retail real estate market to ensure the Company takes advantage of real estate market conditions wherever possible and maintains a leadership position.
• Develop and maintain relationships with landowners, developers, states, counties, and cities that will impact or influence the Company's growth strategy.
• Have full understanding and experience in ground-up development process. Know local, state, and federal laws ensuring that the company is in compliance and use these laws to benefit the Company whenever possible.
• Ensure clear communication of Real Estate goals to all channels of business.
• Participate in the development of Panera's design and concept objectives to meet company objectives of appearance, quality, quantity, and costs.
• Participate in site selection, oversight of design, construction, and turnover of new cafes.

Qualifications (Education & Experience):

• A bachelor's degree is required; a master's degree in business administration is desired.
• A minimum of 10 years' experience in a senior real estate function within a best in class, small box retailer, preferably a fast casual restaurant concept with drive thru.
• Have a minimum of 5+ years of developing restaurant Brand's through Franchising.
• Be a highly promotable executive who will play a key role in the organization.
• Have experience balancing analytical process to site selection with architectural and design considerations.
• Possess executive presence with finely developed communication skills enabling coherent and concise presentations to the Company's senior leadership, external partners, and reports.
• Have broad and deep knowledge of all key areas of retail real estate including real estate development, site layout, site selection, project management, construction, facilities management, capital budgeting, acquisitions, and disposals.
• Be a strong and effective leader that has a proven history of invigorating Real Estate teams as well as the ability to win over and build consensus with executives.
• Exhibit an executive presence with finely developed communication skills enabling coherent and cogent presentations across all spectrums, within and outside the Company.
• Be able to provide leadership, build consensus, and make time sensitive, fact-based decisions that are quickly put into action.
• Possess significant knowledge of new cafe project management, including estimates, contract negotiations, permitting and review board hearings, build-out, and lease negotiation.
• Possess knowledge of construction costs and related market trends.
• Travel is estimated at 50%.

Personal Qualifications:

The successful candidate will:

• Be an innovative and strategic thinker.
• Be detail and relationship oriented.
• Be a high-energy, creative, flexible, purposeful, self-starting leader who is capable of quickly taking control of the department.
• Be a great communicator who will quickly develop credibility and rapport with the team and other departments.
• Take ownership and pride in growing the retail business.
• Be a leader, mentor, and trainer to his/her organization; a collaborator who is eager to contribute to all functional areas of the company.
• Be ambitious, initiative-taking, and willing to do whatever it takes to contribute to the company's continued success.
• Work tirelessly to foster a collaborative work environment; keep the team focused on the strategy. Be able to manage and resolve conflicts.
• Have excellent planning and organizational skills; Demonstrate strong presentation skills.

Working Conditions:

• 50% travel

Physical Requirements:

• While performing this job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, & use hands and fingers to operate keyboards.

Direct Reports:

• This position will have up to 6 direct reports.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disabled/Veterans

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