Real Estate Development Director (Remote with Travel)

Learning Care; Novi (MI); On-site; USD 158,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Childcare discount

Flexible PTO

Paid time off

Education assistance

Job summary

Learning Care is seeking a Director of Real Estate Development to lead the full life cycle of new schools, from market entry strategy to site selection and opening.

This role collaborates with Legal, Construction, Operations and Finance, travels up to 70% to develop greenfield sites, negotiate leases, and coordinate budgets. The company emphasizes benefits like childcare discounts, tuition reimbursement, flexible schedules, and a supportive team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; business or related study preferred.
• 5+ years of national real estate development experience within national retail or multi-unit public company required.
• 5+ years’ experience in real estate site selection, negotiation and closing transaction required.

Responsibilities

• Lead Green Development Initiatives and collaborate with Construction, Operations and Finance.
• Attend Real Estate Committee meetings and present new Greenfield sites for ELT approval.
• Lead meetings with Operations, Construction, and Finance to ensure budgets and timelines.
• Conduct trade area assessment, strategy development and site selection to meet goals.
• Negotiate leases and real estate contracts; coordinate with Legal on documents.
• Develop market strategies, market analysis and research for targeted geographies.
• Collaborate with facilities to align lease terms with project timelines.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Time management

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management software

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related

Master's degree in Business Administration or Juris Doctorate preferred

Tools

Lucernex

Smartsheet

Microsoft Office

Job description

Join a strong community where all we do is care-for the children and families we serve every day, as well as for our dedicated team members. Our people are our best asset. We listen and we know what you're looking for:

• You want benefits. We support you with a minimum 50% childcare discount, immediate access to benefits, innovative health programs, 401(k) company match, and much more.
• You want balance. We offer flexible schedules that work for you, no nights or weekends, the ability to bring your children to work with you, and paid time off.
• You want opportunity. We invest in your future with ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, credential assistance, and our unique Master Teacher Program.
• You want recognition. We provide a positive, fun workplace where employees are appreciated.
  

The Director of Real Estate Development will be responsible for the full life cycle of new schools from setting market entry strategy to pursuing sites. The Director will work closely with the Legal department to negotiate project documents, and the Construction department to facilitate design, budgets, and schedule. This position will remain responsible for all aspects of deals from the initial concept through the construction and school opening.

Essential Functions:

• Lead Green Development Initiatives. This will include understanding the market strategy and collaborating with several departments within Learning Care Group such as Construction, Operations and Finance.
• Regularly attend Real Estate Committee meetings and present new Greenfield sites to obtain ELT approval.
• Lead and inform team meetings with Operations, Construction, and Finance to ensure new locations are meeting construction budget and timeline.
• Effectively conduct trade area assessment, tactical strategy development and site selection to accomplish developmental goals and blueprint.
• Responsible for all aspects of the real estate transaction from initial concept through construction and school opening.
• Develop market strategies, market analysis, and execute research.
• Implement and execute development processes for targeted geographies.
• Collaborate with brokers, as required to research, and target strategic site opportunities.
• Monitor existing markets to understand evolving trade area trends and determine appropriateness for new development or repositioning.
• Review and coordinate all real estate documents and legal issues with Legal department.
• Negotiate with brokers, attorneys, landlords/sellers to develop letters of intent, leases, and real estate contracts for approved sites.
• Develops and maintains relationships with regional developers, municipal and state departments and agencies.
• Collaborate with Facilities and Construction to assure lease terms and conditions properly align with proposed project timelines and lease agreements.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Business or related study preferred.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration or Juris Doctorate preferred.
• 5+ years of national real estate development experience within national retail or multi-unit public company required.
• 5+ years’ experience in real estate site selection, negotiation and closing transaction required.

Other Skills and Abilities Qualifications:

• Excellent customer service skills with both internal and external customers.
• Capable of working with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
• Effective communication skills, written, verbal and interpersonal.
• Proficient time management, organizational skills, and ability to meet established deadlines.
• Knowledgeable in general real estate matters with understanding of excess property management and negotiating lease amendments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage external partners.
• Proven ability to negotiate and influence internal customers and external brokers.
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to communicate with and relate to all levels of the organization.
• Capable of creating executable real estate strategies.
• Strong ability to self-start, think creatively, lead others, and innovate.
• Skilled working in cross-functional teams leveraging critical and strategic thinking.
• Ability to work with project management software, i.e. Lucernex or similar database, Smartsheet and Microsoft applications.
• Capable of working with project management software.

Travel Percentage:

• 70% travel including auto and air.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Compensation based on position, education and experience. Bi-weekly paid.
• Base salary range: $158,000 - $165,000
• This position is eligible for our Support Central bonus program which is based on annual achievement of company performance.

Health and Wellness Benefits:

• Employees are eligible for a variety of health and welfare benefits based on their Full-time or Part-time status on their date of hire, which include medical, dental, vision, healthcare & dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs), life insurance, disability, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, pre-paid legal, pet insurance and identity theft protection.
• Employees are eligible to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan after 30 days of employment. Participating employees are also eligible to receive a company provided match on their elective deferrals once they reach 1 year of employment with the company.

Employee perks/discounts:

• Education assistance including tuition reimbursement
• Childcare discount available to all employees
• Corporate partner Discounts
• This position is eligible for paid time off. All Corporate employees are enrolled in our Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) plan. This plan allows for flexibility and discretion between employees and managers in taking time off - with no set accrual for vacation or sick time. Employees can use Flexible PTO for any reason and is compliant with the Colorado Healthy Families Work Act.
• Applications accepted through 8/21/2026.

Learning Care is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against an employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.