Director of Real Estate

Americana Restaurants; Sharjah; On-site; AED 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading restaurant chain in Sharjah is seeking a Real Estate Manager to oversee the expansion strategy across multiple countries. The role involves negotiating with franchisors, managing a team, and executing asset acquisitions. Candidates should have over 10 years of experience in retail or hospitality and a solid educational background. Strong negotiation and leadership skills are essential for success in this position. This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in the company’s growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in retail or hospitality industry.
• Lead a team with geographic spread.
• Managed a similar sized budget.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement Real Estate strategy for multiple countries.
• Negotiate development agreements with franchisors.
• Manage team performance by recruiting and training real estate professionals.
• Execute new asset acquisitions and coordinate with architects.
• Maximize ROI on invested capital through strategic acquisitions.

Skills

Understanding of restaurant business

Negotiation skills

Leadership abilities

Strategic business acumen

Communication skills

Education

BSc/BA in business administration, finance, engineering, or relevant field

Master’s degree or MBA

Job description

Overview

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: Plan, direct and coordinate Real Estate strategy for the dedicated Hub of multiple countries, to ensure the various brands achieve its expansion program in conjunction with the brand teams. Implementing and closing site acquisitions, leasing to assist growth of Brands. Negotiates and achieves development agreements with the franchisors in line with the company’s growth plans. Collaborate with Property team on synergies and support needed to manage currently operating stores portfolio.

Scope Management

• Real estate team in dedicated countries
• Restaurants and real estate portfolio within dedicate countries Hub, except accommodations
• Direct reporting for new stores acquisitions, relocations, carve outs, utilization, for dedicated countries
• Indirect reporting for lease renewals for dedicated countries, except accommodations
• Regular traveling within dedicated markets to drive execution with local teams

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as an Americana culture ambassador by aligning the team with the company’s mission, vision, and core values; lead by example in ethics, compliance, and internal policies.
• Manage team performance by recruiting, attracting, training, coaching, and developing real estate professionals to identify, negotiate, obtain approvals, and sign new real estate assets.
• Execute and organize end-to-end new asset acquisitions, including site search and selection, technical assessments (MEP/design) with the Design & Construction team, commercial negotiations, feasibility approvals, lease finalization, and site handover to construction.
• Resolve pre-opening bottlenecks involving landlords and municipal approvals; coordinate all stakeholders to ensure timely and smooth store openings.
• Lead lease negotiations, ensuring quality and speed: close A-leases through IC committee approvals and B/C leases via internal team negotiations.
• Align site-lease parameters with business needs, including asset type, size, lease tenure, and exit/renewal options.
• Utilize and regularly update Americana lease templates; drive first-offer placement and proactively improve commercial lease terms.
• Build, maintain, and grow relationships with landlords, developers, government entities, real estate organizations, and franchisors to drive new acquisitions and sustain the existing portfolio.
• Maximize ROI on invested capital through rigorous site prioritization, site identification, commercial negotiations, CAPEX optimization, and delivery of high-quality locations with strong visibility, convenience, and capacity.
• Maintain awareness of new strategic developments; perform early screening for new stores or relocations in coordination with market planning.
• Plan, monitor, and track the new stores pipeline to ensure timelines, budgets, and franchise agreements are met.
• Follow market insights to introduce adjustments and innovations that deliver best-in-class locations, assets, and leases.
• Serve as the main point of contact for future landlords, including outside agents, brokers, developers, and retailers.
• Manage expectations and ensure the team has the necessary tools, resources, and systems to operate efficiently.
• Maintain regular interaction with internal stakeholders, including the Senior Director – Real Estate, CDO, CFO, CEO, Brand COOs, and cross-functional departments.
• Coordinate with external stakeholders, including franchisors, vendors, and landlords, to support real estate development and portfolio management.

Qualifications and Experience

• BSc/BA in business administration, finance, engineering, or relevant field.
• Master’s degree or MBA will be a plus
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in the field, preferably half of it in the same or similar industry, i.e., retail, hospitality
• Lead a similar sized team, with geographic spread
• Managed a similar sized budget

Knowledge and Skills

• Thorough understanding of the restaurant business, retail, and hospitality trends
• Strong strategic and business acumen
• Highly developed negotiation, consensus-building, and communication skills
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and mentoring abilities
• Ability to analyze complex problems and implement effective solutions
• Arabic language skills preferred