Commercial Lease & Permitting Specialist

YQN Logistics; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

401(K)

PTO

Job summary

YQN Logistics is seeking a Commercial Lease & Permitting Specialist to support their warehouse expansion across the United States. This role will involve coordinating the lease process, ensuring compliance, and facilitating permitting activities.

The ideal candidate should have at least 3 years of experience in commercial real estate, a relevant degree, and be proficient in both English and Mandarin. Benefits include medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(K), and PTO.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in commercial real estate, lease administration, or legal operations.
• Solid understanding of U.S. commercial lease structures and negotiation.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the commercial lease process for new warehouse locations across the U.S.
• Review Letters of Intent and prepare financial analyses.
• Manage internal approval workflows and execute lease agreements.
• Maintain lease compliance and communicate key requirements.
• Coordinate permitting activities for warehouse facilities.

Skills

Commercial real estate experience

Lease administration

Legal coordination

Risk management

Bilingual in English and Mandarin

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

About Us

YQN is a leading one-stop international logistics online services platform, offering comprehensive international logistics services, including FCL, LCL, air freight, rail service, trucking, customs clearance, warehousing, cargo insurance, bulk cargo service, port of destination services, etc. We are designed to apply the internet and digital technology to visualize and optimize cross-border supply chain logistics to achieve the same efficiency and convenience as express delivery. “Simple shipping and easy freight” is the mission of YQN. We have developed strategic cooperative partnerships with leading ocean carriers and logistics service providers such as COSCO Shipping, Maersk Line, Sinotrans, etc.

About The Role

We are looking for a Commercial Lease & Permitting Specialist to support the company's warehouse expansion and ongoing lease compliance across the United States. This role serves as the primary coordinator between internal business teams, landlords, brokers, outside counsel, and corporate legal teams throughout the entire lease lifecycle—from commercial lease negotiations to post-execution compliance and permitting coordination. This is not a construction management or project management role. Instead, the position focuses on commercial lease administration, legal coordination, risk management, and permit compliance for warehouse operations. This role can be based in Fontana, CA, Port Reading, NJ, Buford, GA, or Katy, TX.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the commercial lease process for new warehouse locations across the U.S.
• Review Letters of Intent (LOIs), evaluate business terms including rent and lease term, and prepare financial analyses for internal decision-making.
• Coordinate with external counsel and corporate legal teams during lease drafting and negotiations.
• Review legal comments and proposed revisions, identify business impacts, and facilitate negotiations with landlords and brokers.
• Organize negotiation meetings involving landlords, legal counsel, and internal stakeholders to resolve outstanding lease issues.
• Manage internal approval workflows and execute lease agreements while ensuring final documents accurately reflect negotiated terms.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for landlord correspondence, lease notices, amendments, estoppels, consents, and other lease-related documentation.
• Coordinate legal review of lease-related requests before execution.
• Maintain lease compliance by monitoring critical lease obligations and communicating key requirements to warehouse operations, finance, administration, and regional leadership.
• Provide internal guidance regarding lease restrictions, including permitted warehouse use, hazardous materials, operational limitations, and other lease-related compliance matters.
• Coordinate lease-related financial requirements, including security deposits, Letters of Credit (LCs), insurance certificates (COIs), and other contractual obligations.
• Partner closely with Finance and Legal teams to ensure all contractual requirements are satisfied before lease execution.
• Coordinate permitting activities for warehouse facilities across multiple states.
• Research local permitting requirements and government regulations related to warehouse operations.
• Manage permit application processes while coordinating with consultants, contractors, and local authorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with regional permitting consultants and external service providers to support project execution.
• Partner with Operations, Facilities, Finance, Legal, Real Estate, and external stakeholders to ensure timely execution of lease and permitting activities.
• Escalate complex legal or commercial issues with well-developed recommendations supported by legal consultation and business analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 3+ years of experience in commercial real estate, lease administration, commercial property management, legal operations, corporate paralegal, or commercial contracts.
• Solid understanding of U.S. commercial lease structures and negotiation processes.
• Experience coordinating with attorneys, landlords, brokers, or external business partners.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Professional verbal communication skills in both English and Mandarin Chinese.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting warehouse, logistics, supply chain, or industrial real estate operations.
• Experience with permitting, Certificates of Occupancy (CO), Certificates of Insurance (COI), or other regulatory documentation.
• Background working with commercial real estate law firms or as a corporate paralegal.
• Knowledge of industrial warehouse development or logistics facility operations.
• Paralegal certification or education in law, real estate, or a related field.

Pay Range: $80k - $130k/yr, based on seniority

Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance, 401(K), PTO