Director of Real Estate

BJ's Restaurants, Inc.; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vis

Free and discounted meals

Career growth and advancement

Financial wellness resources

Employee discount program

Collaborative culture

Job summary

BJ’s Restaurants is seeking a Senior Real Estate Executive to shape growth across multiple locations. You will lead strategy, site selection, and development, partnering with legal, finance, and operations to close transactions.

The role requires a strong background in restaurant or retail real estate, robust financial analysis, and a track record of leading cross‑functional teams while delivering timely openings and cost controls. Hybrid schedule in Huntington Beach with remote Fridays.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive restaurant/retail real estate experience with multi-location portfolio.
• Strong site-selection, market, demographic, competitive, and financial analysis.
• Proven success negotiating leases, renewals, and other real estate transactions.
• Deep understanding of real estate law, zoning, due diligence, and development processes.
• Strong financial acumen evaluating feasibility, ROI, capital requirements, portfolio performance.
• Experience managing external partners (brokers, developers, landlords).
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and communicate to senior leadership.
• Leadership in coaching and developing teams; accountable culture.
• Strategic leadership aligning real estate with brand, growth, financial goals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive real estate strategy aligned with corporate goals.
• Analyze market trends and advise on investments, divestitures, or relocations.
• Lead site selection based on market, demographics, and financial analysis.
• Oversee a portfolio of owned and leased properties across markets.
• Maintain lease data, renewal schedules, and records.
• Identify and negotiate real estate acquisitions and development opportunities.
• Lead due diligence, financial modeling, and feasibility analysis.
• Partner with legal, finance, and operations teams to close transactions.
• Lead lease negotiations (new leases, renewals, terminations).
• Manage landlord and broker relationships.
• Ensure compliance with lease terms and timely execution of obligations.
• Collaborate with construction and design teams on build-outs, renovations, and capital projects.
• Ensure timely delivery and cost control on all real estate projects.
• Partner with operations, finance, legal, and HR to support business expansion and space planning.
• Act as the real estate subject matter expert for internal stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Manage real estate budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditure plans.
• Analyze ROI for real estate decisions and drive cost-saving initiatives.

Skills

Site selection

Lease negotiations

Real estate strategy

Financial analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder communication

Negotiation

Relationship building

Real estate law knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree; MBA preferred

Tools

CoStar

Argus

MRI

Job description

Who We Are

At BJ’s Restaurants, we’ve been bringing people together to celebrate life’s moments since 1978. We’re more than a restaurant, we’re a team of passionate people who take pride in creating great food, memorable experiences, and a workplace where everyone feels valued. If you’re energized by teamwork, motivated to keep learning, and passionate about creating great experiences for others, you’ll feel right at home here.

Responsibilities

How You’ll Contribute

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute a comprehensive real estate strategy aligned with corporate goals.
• Analyze market trends and recommend real estate investments, divestitures, or relocations.
• Lead site selection processes based on market, demographic, and financial analysis.

Portfolio Management

• Oversee a portfolio of owned and leased properties across various markets.
• Ensure efficient utilization of real estate assets and identify opportunities for consolidation, expansion, or disposition.
• Maintain accurate records of leases, property data, and renewal schedules.

Acquisition & Development

• Identify and negotiate real estate acquisitions and development opportunities.
• Lead due diligence, financial modeling, and feasibility analysis.
• Partner with legal, finance, and operations teams to close transactions.

Lease Administration & Negotiation

• Lead lease negotiations (new leases, renewals, terminations).
• Manage landlord and broker relationships.
• Ensure compliance with lease terms and timely execution of obligations.

Project Management

• Collaborate with construction and design teams on build-outs, renovations, and capital projects.
• Ensure timely delivery and cost control on all real estate projects.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with operations, finance, legal, and HR to support business expansion and space planning.
• Act as the real estate subject matter expert for internal stakeholders and executive leadership.

Budget & Financial Oversight

• Manage real estate budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditure plans.
• Analyze ROI for real estate decisions and drive cost-saving initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA or other relevant advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in restaurant or retail real estate, corporate real estate, real estate development, or a closely related field, with demonstrated success supporting a multi-location portfolio.
• Strong site‑selection expertise, including market, demographic, competitive, and financial analysis.
• Proven success negotiating complex leases, renewals, purchase agreements, terminations, and other real estate transactions.
• Deep understanding of real estate law, zoning, entitlement, due diligence, and development processes.
• Strong financial acumen with experience evaluating feasibility, ROI, capital requirements, and portfolio performance.
• Experience managing landlord, broker, developer, and other external partner relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives and communicate recommendations effectively to senior and executive leadership.
• Leadership experience with the ability to coach, develop, and hold a team accountable for results.
• Proficiency with real estate technology and analytical tools such as CoStar, Argus, MRI, or comparable platforms.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, relationship‑building, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to ensuring real estate decisions support BJ’s brand standards, community presence, and sustainable growth.
• Portfolio‑optimization mindset with experience identifying opportunities through relocations, renewals, dispositions, and other strategic actions.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional collaboration across Construction, Legal, Finance, and Operations to support timely restaurant openings.
• Strong external network and relationship‑building skills with brokers, developers, landlords, and other real estate partners.
• Proven success leading and developing high‑performing real estate teams with a strong culture of accountability and integrity.
• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, using market insights and risk analysis to guide investment decisions.
• Strategic leadership experience aligning real estate decisions with long‑term brand, growth, and financial goals.

Salary Range

USD $170,000 - $185,000 plus bonus eligibility and comprehensive benefits.

This pay range reflects the anticipated compensation for this role. Final salary within the range will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, relevant experience, and other job-related qualifications.

Benefits that matter… Live your best life!

• 401(k) with company match to help you plan for the future
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Free and discounted meals
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Financial wellness and life planning resources
• Employee discount program and additional lifestyle perks
• A collaborative culture built on teamwork, service, and celebrating wins

Ready to Help Shape BJ’s Next Chapter?

This role follows a hybrid schedule. You’ll join us at our Restaurant Support Center in Huntington Beach Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays.

BJ’s Restaurants is an equal opportunity and E-Verify employer.

Pay Range

USD $170,000.00 - USD $185,000.00 /Yr.