Sr. Manager, Non-Traditional Real Estate

Job Purpose

The Senior Real Estate Manager, Non-Traditional, will source new bakery-cafes in non-traditional channels (including Universities, Hospitals, Airports, Interstate Service Plazas, and Military installations) within their respective channels in accordance with Panera’s guiding principles. The position will manage all aspects of RFP preparation, site selection, and negotiation to support the Company’s rapid and profitable growth. The successful candidate will have a keen and up to date understanding of non-traditional real estate trends and activities in their markets. They must have an executive presence, make fact-based decisions, and have the confidence to articulate them.

Location: Field-based/Remote

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute short-term and long-term Real Estate plans for non-traditional development that support corporate goals, help drive sales, strengthen the Company’s brand positioning, and uphold Panera’s brand integrity.
• Partner with Real Estate Strategy, Franchising, Real Estate Directors, and Portfolio Management to identify targeted channels for development.
• Attend industry trade conferences and marketing events and promote Panera to decision makers and administrators at identified non-traditional development targets.
• Source and complete Requests for Proposals (RFP).
• Secure non-traditional sites and develop, negotiate, and structure Real Estate and operating agreements using appropriate tools that are in the best long-term financial interest of Panera.
• Work with contract foodservice partners and existing traditional franchisees to procure targeted number of deals for development.
• Advise traditional franchisees regarding best practices for non-traditional site selection, negotiations, and operations.
• Deliver thoroughly vetted opportunities for approval and champion them to the executive committee, company operations, and franchisees with confidence and a professional and financially sound fact-based approach.
• Deliver sites on time and on budget that will, in addition to delivering high ROIs, reinforce the Company’s brand positioning and increase the market share.
• Track deals through development pipeline and work collaboratively with internals teams and external partners to effectively advance projects and ensure successful café openings.
• Build collaborative working relationships with partners in Franchising, Operations, IT, Construction, Design, Legal and Project Management to streamline process and ensure timely café openings.
• Support franchise recruiting and candidate qualification.
• Represent the company in a positive and professional manner at meetings, conferences and when interacting with people in the development community at large.

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree in business administration is desired.
• 5+ years of real estate / development experience across all non-traditional channels (hospitals, universities, airports, interstate service plazas, and military installations) with a best-in-class restaurant concept.
• Experience in high volume deal making (15+ deals/year).
• Possess knowledge of construction costs and related market trends.

Personal Qualifications

The successful candidate will:

• Be an innovative and strategic thinker that is detail and relationship oriented.
• Be a high-energy, creative, flexible, purposeful, initiative-taker who is capable of quickly taking ownership for projects.
• Be a great communicator who will quickly develop credibility and rapport with the team and cross-functional partners.
• Utilize FACT-BASED COMMUNICATION skills with an ability to present complex data and problems in a concise, simplified, and effective manner to large audiences (internal and external).
• Be a provider of CLARITY via excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Possess the ability to build and manage large partnerships with national stakeholders.
• Have a deep understanding of RFPs (request for proposals) and competitive bidding.
• Have experience balancing analytical process to site selection with architectural and design considerations.
• Possess finely developed communication skills enabling coherent and cogent presentations to the Company’s senior leadership, franchise partners, external partners, and reports.
• Possess excellent negotiation skills and ability to impact the course of events through coaching, counseling, and influencing others to accomplish desired outcomes.
• Take ownership and pride in growing the non-traditional business.
• Be ambitious, initiative-taking, and willing to do whatever it takes to contribute to the Company’s continued success.
• Have excellent planning and organizational skills and demonstrate strong presentation skills.
• Customer service approach with ability to be HIGHLY RESPONSIVE to sensitive issues, complex inquiries, and concerns from both Field-Based and Corporate-Based associates and leadership.
• Strong BIAS TOWARDS ACTION through effective project and process management.

Working Conditions

• 50% travel.

Physical Requirements

• While performing this job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate keyboards.

Direct Reports

• This position will not have direct reports.

Salary: $145, 305 - $217,667

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disabled/Veterans