Real Estate Development Manager

Title: Real Estate Development Manager

Reports To: Director of Real Estate

Location: Hybrid (Lawrence, MA Area)

Little Sprouts is part of a global network of early education childcare centers dedicated to building and sustaining optimal learning and working spaces where children ages 0-5 can thrive. Here in the US, we operate 39 schools in the New England area under three brands; Little Sprouts, Building Blocks, and Heartworks Early Education & Child Care Centers. As we scale, we are seeking a high-performing, proactive Real Estate Development Associate to help execute our de novo growth strategy and optimize our existing real estate portfolio.

What We Will Achieve Together:

• Real Estate Leadership. Professionally manage the Little Sprouts real estate portfolio and de novo school development process with a strategic focus on company growth, real estate optimization, and providing exceptional early education care environments.
• Partner of Choice. Achieve an exceptional reputation for acting with the utmost integrity in every interaction such that Little Sprouts becomes the industry partner of choice.
• Full De Novo Pipeline. Within a collaborative framework, we will build a pipeline of new school developments by strategically evaluating new school opportunities; nurturing industry connections and partnerships, providing thorough feasibility analysis and business financial modeling, and effectively owning the full new school development process including; detailed project management and communication, cross-departmental collaboration, lease documentation, school/playground design, and construction management with a successful results-oriented approach to new school openings.

What You'll Do:

• The following responsibilities will be under the direction of the Director of Real Estate and will be prioritized based on the current needs of the business:
• Build and maintain strong community and business relationships with municipalities, developers, general contractors, designers, engineers, and real estate development consultants consistent with company policies and responsibilities.
• Provide management of the new school development process including site feasibility and financial analysis, development budget, cross-departmental collaboration, consultant management, permitting, design, construction, FFE and school opening. Working with cross-functional team members in preparation for a successful new school opening and transition to the operations team.
• Systematically driving new renovations, retrofits and build-outs so that they are on-time and on-budget.
• Manage the full architectural and civil design process for new school, playground and site development with a focus on innovative design, ESG/sustainability, value engineering and responsible cost management.
• Apply your experience and industry knowledge to evaluate new site locations using key metrics, demographics, competitive market data, construction knowledge and real estate expertise.
• Prepare growth presentational materials and other real estate development reports, including opportunity pipeline, budgets, schedule, project management, and the preparation and tracking of cross-departmental school development planning. Other reports and presentations as required.
• Responsible for managing tenant allowances and construction reimbursements with landlord including all appropriate documentation.
• Ability to procure, review and negotiate construction, vendor and consultant contracts.
• Oversee permit applications and support the team in presentations to municipal officials.
• Solicit, negotiate and oversee third-party consultant services, including managing legal documentation and communication with real estate brokers, landlords, architects, contractors, municipal officials, lawyers, etc.
• Manage existing school redevelopment, as needed.
• Other duties as required.

Who You Are:

• The ideal candidate will have experience with retail real estate development, growth, and management. Experience developing 8-15K SF retail development including site planning, parking, building, and interiors. Experience in a variety of real estate project types including mixed-use, retail, and office. It is preferred that this person has strong network of consultants, designers, and contractors, in the New England area and the ability to build new connections. They will be detail oriented with strong project management skills with a demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals and teams.
• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in job related field such as real estate development, architecture, civil engineering, finance, or business.
• 5-8 years of relevant experience preferred in real estate development, development project management, construction oversight, or retail store expansion.
• Strong financial analysis skills with experience building business modeling, pro forma feasibility and sensitivity analysis, market analysis, and real estate development budgets.
• Preferred experience with the project estimating process, value engineering, contractor selection, and oversight. Projects ranging from $200K-$5M.
• Understanding of lease language with particular attention to landlord and tenant construction responsibilities and tenant allowances.
• Experience developing relationships; ability to build credibility, respect, and collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all organizational levels, with a willingness to accept and implement feedback.
• Motivated, highly organized, and versatile; a self-starter with a teamwork orientation.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, projects, and priorities effectively with a high level of attention to detail and proactive communication regarding workload and timelines.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and presentation skills with the ability to translate complex concepts to easily understandable talking points and presentation materials appropriate for all organizational levels, including executive and board-level audiences.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word). Advanced Excel skills. Willingness to learn and utilize various software and tools.
• Ability to read and review civil and architectural drawings. Experience with AutoCAD a plus
• Knowledge of early education school development is desired, but not required.
• Willingness and ability to travel

How it Gets Done:

• Is able to work at least a full-time, 40-hour a week schedule, sometimes off-hours as the business requires (i.e., evening town hall or permitting meetings, networking events, business dinners, etc.).
• Is able to sit for long periods of time at a computer in a primarily sedentary position; manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.
• Travel may be required (50%+) may be required to schools, events, meetings, or new school/acquisition scoping, both US Domestic and International.

Benefits:

• Health benefits are available upon start date.
• Paid week off between Christmas & New Years.
• Free Subscription to First Stop Health; receive ongoing care from doctors and prescribers through easy telehealth services.
• Up to 75% discount on your child's tuition (Option for the initial $5,000 of tuition to be taken out of your paycheck before taxes through payroll deductions.)
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and pet insurance.
• 401k with company match.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Career advancement and coaching.
• Additional Paid Time off and Holidays.
• Referral Program.
• #LI-HYBRID

We're Growing!

Little Sprouts LLC is a subsidiary of Babilou Group, the largest childcare and early education group in Europe. The company provides award-winning early education and child care across 39 New England individual school locations. Through the experience and talents of more than 800 early education professionals and in partnership with nearly 4,000 families, we are on a meaningful journey to create optimal learning spaces where children ages 0-5 can learn, grow, and thrive.