Sr Director, Real Estate & Portfolio Management

Learning Care; Novi (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Childcare discount (min 50%)

Health programs and 401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

Learning Care is seeking a Senior Director of Real Estate Development & Portfolio Management in Novi, MI. You will lead market strategy, site selection, and development opportunities while supervising negotiations with developers, brokers, and investors.

This role coordinates with Legal, Finance, and Operations to ensure timely delivery of projects and alignment with corporate goals. The position emphasizes strategic negotiations, cross-functional collaboration, and leadership of two teams.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in real estate with development, transaction negotiation and portfolio management.
• Experience negotiating complex real estate transactions including ground leases, sale-leasebacks and renewals.
• Experience leading and developing a team.

Responsibilities

• Direct market strategy, site selection, and development opportunities.
• Lead negotiations with developers, brokers, and sellers from LOI to execution.
• Structure sale-leaseback transactions with investors and partners.
• Present development opportunities to Real Estate Committee for approval.
• Support market data and site analysis for PLA and employer/off-site opportunities.
• Evaluate opportunistic acquisitions as directed by senior leadership.
• Oversee lease renewals, terminations, and landlord negotiations across the portfolio.
• Monitor critical lease dates and CAM/tax billing; ensure lease compliance.
• Maintain relationships with landlords, developers, and brokers to support growth.
• Work with Finance to assess underperforming locations and strategic decisions.
• Develop and coach Real Estate Development and Portfolio Management teams.
• Prepare development pipeline and portfolio reporting for executives.
• Coordinate with Operations, Construction, Finance, and Legal to align timelines and budgets.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Financial analysis

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Time management

Attention to detail

Project management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CoStar

Kalibrate

Lucernex

MS 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 Senior Director, Real Estate Development & Portfolio Management directs the Real Estate Development team's pursuit and negotiation of new Greenfield development and sale-leaseback transactions with developers, brokers, and capital partners, and directs the Portfolio Management team's negotiation of lease renewals, terminations, and landlord relationships across the Company's existing portfolio. This position drives deal strategy and negotiation from initial concept through final terms, but does not hold final signature authority; all transactions require approval from the Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth & Real Estate.

This position is based in Novi, MI.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the Real Estate Development team's market strategy, trade area analysis, and site selection process for new Greenfield construction development opportunities.
• Lead negotiations with developers, brokers, and sellers on new development transactions, from letter of intent through lease or purchase execution, in partnership with Legal and Construction.
• Structure and negotiate sale-leaseback transactions with institutional investors and capital partners, coordinating deal terms with Finance and Legal.
• Present new Greenfield development transactions at Real Estate Committee (REC) meetings for approval.
• Partner with the Strategic Partnerships division to support market data and site analysis for PLA and employer/on-site partnership opportunities; this role does not direct PLA or on-site activity, which is led by Strategic Partnerships.
• Support evaluation of opportunistic acquisition opportunities as directed by the Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth & Real Estate; acquisition activity is infrequent and not a primary function of this role today.
• Direct the Portfolio Management team's lease renewal, lease termination, and landlord negotiation activity across the existing portfolio of Company locations.
• Oversee monitoring of critical lease dates, rent/CAM/tax billing review, and lease abstraction and compliance across the portfolio.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with the Company's landlords, developers, and brokers to support both new development and portfolio objectives.
• Partner with Finance, including the Director, Strategic Growth and Real Estate (Finance), to evaluate underperforming or non-strategic locations for sale, sublease, or closure; prepare and deliver these recommendations in senior and executive-level presentations.
• Manage, develop, and coach the Real Estate Development and Portfolio Management teams.
• Prepare and present development pipeline and portfolio reporting to senior and executive leadership.
• Partner with Operations, Construction, Finance, and Legal to ensure development timelines, budgets, and lease terms align with Company objectives.
• Negotiate and structure all development and lease transactions for review and final approval; this role does not hold final signature authority. All transactions require sign-off from the Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth & Real Estate.
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive real estate experience spanning development, transaction negotiation, and lease/portfolio management within a national multi-unit, retail, or franchise organization is required.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating complex real estate transactions, including ground leases, sale-leaseback structures, and lease renewals, is required.
• Prior experience managing and developing a team is required.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is preferred; equivalent real-world real estate experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven ability to structure and negotiate development, sale-leaseback, and lease renewal transactions with developers, investors, and landlords.
• Strong financial acumen; able to evaluate deal economics and portfolio performance to inform recommendations.
• Executive-level communication and presentation skills; able to present recommendations confidently to senior and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team while managing multiple concurrent transactions and deadlines.
• Skilled in cross-functional collaboration with Construction, Operations, Finance, and Legal.
• Working knowledge of market and site analysis software such as CoStar and demographic/trade area modeling software such as Kalibrate.
• Working knowledge of lease administration/portfolio management databases, such as Lucernex or similar, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Capable of working with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities across a large, geographically dispersed portfolio.
• Executive Presence: Communicates confidently and credibly with senior and executive leadership, translating complex real estate and financial detail into clear, decision-ready recommendations.
• Action Oriented: Takes initiative and is quick and decisive on new opportunities and tough challenges.
• Decision Quality: Makes sound, timely decisions using a mixture of analysis, judgment, and experience.
• Persuades: Negotiates skillfully and gains the commitment of internal and external stakeholders.
• Financial Acumen: Interprets and applies key financial indicators to inform business recommendations.
• Develops Talent: Builds the capability of the teams they lead.
• 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.
  

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.