Real Estate Lead - US & Canada

Pop Mart; Culver City (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k

Health insurance

Paid time off

Paid sick leave

Family leave

Job summary

POP MART is seeking a Real Estate Lead for the US & Canada to drive site selection, lease negotiations and store launches across the United States. You will own the execution of real estate pipelines, manage cross-functional teams, and partner with landlords and developers to open new POP MART locations.

The role requires deep US/Canada retail real estate knowledge, a strong negotiation track record, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• 10+ years in retail real estate with focus on site selection and lease negotiation; multi‑unit experience preferred.
• Proven track record managing a high-volume real estate transaction pipeline.
• Deep knowledge of top US shopping centers, lifestyle centers and major districts.
• Strong negotiation skills for favorable lease terms across markets.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills across multiple deals.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team while collaborating with internal and external partners.
• Strong communication skills with landlords, brokers and developers.
• Detail-oriented, proactive and reliable in a fast‑paced growth environment.
• Willingness to travel across the U.S. and Canada.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate new store and ROBO SHOP locations across US/Canada.
• Lead lease negotiations, LOIs, and contract modifications within approved parameters.
• Coordinate pre-opening activities with Construction, Ops, Legal and Merchandising.
• Hire, coach and manage Real Estate team; set goals and monitor performance.

Skills

Site selection

Lease negotiations

Real estate leadership

Project management

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

POP MART (09992.HK), founded in 2010, is a leading global company in the trend culture and entertainment industry. Centered around IP, POP MART has built a comprehensive platform for creative incubation and IP operation, empowering global creators while delivering exciting products, services, and immersive entertainment experiences to consumers. POP MART identifies and nurtures emerging artists and designers worldwide, creating popular character IPs through a well-established IP development and operation system. Its portfolio includes iconic IPs such as MOLLY, SKULLPANDA, DIMOO, THE MONSTERS, and Hirono. By launching art toys and derivative products based on these IPs, POP MART continues to lead trends in consumer culture. As of the end of first half of 2025, POP MART operates over 550 physical stores and more than 2,500 Robo Shops across the world. Through multiple cross-border e-commerce platforms, the company has reached audiences in over 90 countries and regions, bringing joy to young consumers around the world.

Position: Real Estate Lead - US & Canada

Location: Culver City, CA

Salary: $170,000 - $210,000

Opportunity Overview: POP MART is seeking a highly organized and execution-driven Lead of Real Estate to lead the on-the-ground expansion of our retail stores and ROBO SHOP vending machines across the United States. As a global pioneer in designer toy culture, POP MART is rapidly scaling its physical presence — and this role is key to making that growth happen. In this role, you will own the execution of our real estate pipeline — driving site selection, lease negotiations, and cross-functional coordination to open new locations. You will need deep market knowledge of U.S and Canada . retail real estate, strong relationships with landlords and developers, and the operational rigor to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-moving environment. This is a unique opportunity to be at the center of POP MART’s U.S. growth, translating our expansion plans into physical locations and delivering results that are visible across the entire organization. We follow an office policy with an expectation of five days per week working onsite. Being together in person helps us collaborate, stay connected, and build a strong team culture. At POP MART, we foster a high-trust environment and trust our employees to make decisions that support both the team and the business.

What You Will Achieve

Site Selection & Evaluation

• Execute end-to-end site identification and evaluation for new store and ROBO SHOP locations across the U.S and Canada , working within defined market priorities and criteria set by leadership.
• Conduct thorough site assessments including field visits, trade area analysis, traffic and demographic review, and competitive context.
• Prepare and present site packages, investment summaries and recommendations to internal stakeholders for approval.
• Maintain a healthy, well-documented pipeline of prospective locations to support ongoing expansion goals.

Lease Negotiation & Transactions

• Lead lease negotiations, LOIs, and contract modifications, securing favorable economic and operational terms within approved deal parameters.
• Partner with Legal to review and finalize lease agreements, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution.
• Track deal progress and maintain accurate records of lease status, key dates, and financial terms across the portfolio.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with landlords, property managers, brokers, and developers to facilitate smooth transactions and unlock future opportunities.

Project Coordination & Store Launch

• Coordinate closely with Construction, Operations, Legal and Merchandising to ensure all pre-opening activities are completed on schedule.
• Manage project timelines and milestones from lease execution through grand opening, proactively identifying and resolving delays.
• Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for landlords and internal teams throughout the build‑out and opening process.
• Conduct post-opening reviews and maintain complete, up-to-date project documentation and reporting.

Team Leadership

• Hire, coach, and manage direct reports supporting the U.S. and Canada real estate pipeline, setting clear priorities and holding the team accountable to results.
• Set team goals, deal targets, and market coverage plans aligned to overall expansion objectives.
• Foster an inclusive, high-performance team culture, providing regular feedback, development opportunities, and mentorship.
• Represent the real estate function in cross-functional leadership discussions, escalating risks and resource needs as appropriate.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• 10+ years of experience in retail real estate with a strong focus on site selection and negotiating leases; multi‑unit retail brand experience preferred.
• Proven track record of managing a high-volume pipeline of real estate transactions from prospecting through lease execution.
• In‑depth knowledge of top shopping centers, lifestyle centers, and major business districts across the United States.
• Strong negotiation skills with experience securing favorable lease terms across diverse market conditions.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills; able to manage multiple deals and deadlines simultaneously without dropping the ball.
• Ability to motivate & lead a team while fostering an inclusive working environment focused on collaboration with internal and external cross‑functional partners.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including experience hiring, developing, and managing direct reports, setting clear goals and priorities, and holding a team accountable to results.
• Strong communicator and collaborator — comfortable working across internal teams and with external landlords, brokers, and developers.
• Detail‑oriented, self‑motivated, and dependable; thrives in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment.
• Willingness to travel as needed for site visits and market coverage across the U.S and Canada.
• Canada real estate experience is strongly preferred.

The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive. There may be additional duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this job.

Market-competitive packages

• 401k
• health insurance
• PTO
• paid sick leave
• family leave

Growth opportunities

• on-the-job training
• leadership development
• stretch assignments to advance your career

Career development

• opportunities to take on larger responsibilities as POP MART's North America business scales rapidly.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to remain in a stationary position (e.g., seated or at a desk) for extended periods while operating a computer or other office equipment. Must be able to occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 25 pounds.

Pay Range Details

The base salary range for this position is $170,000 - $210,000 annually. This range is provided in accordance with applicable state and local pay transparency laws and may vary based on geographic location. Individual compensation will be determined based on factors including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and qualifications. This position may also be eligible to participate in the Company's incentive compensation program.

Background Checks

For applicants located in Los Angeles or San Francisco: In accordance with applicable local Fair Chance laws, POP MART conducts criminal background checks only after a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (Los Angeles Municipal Code 189.04) and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, as applicable.

Equal Employment Opportunity

POP MART is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment decisions at POP MART are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.

Reasonable Accommodation Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process may request assistance by emailing [e-mail]. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The qualifications, skills, abilities, and physical demands described in this job posting are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job.

POP MART is committed to equal pay initiatives and will not ask candidates for their current or past salary.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, POP MART does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, military status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process may request assistance by emailing [e-mail].

POP MART is not just a brand, it's a galaxy of creative possibilities.

POP MART is a rising global force in pop culture and entertainment. Our purpose is to celebrate daily moments and inspire through designer toys and fun experiences. Our focus is IP incubation & operations, designer toys & retail, theme parks & experiences, also digital entertainment. As of the end of first half of 2025, POP MART operates over 550 physical stores and more than 2,500 Robo Shops across the world. We manage & represent incredible artists from all over the world. Our roster spans dozens of iconic characters, like MOLLY, DIMOO, SKULLPANDA, THE MONSTERS, HIRONO and more. With our IP characters, we create iconic cross-overs. Our mission is to light up passion & bring joy around the world. POP MART is not just a brand, it's a galaxy of creative possibilities.