JOB OVERVIEW:

The Real Estate Director has full responsibility for planning, organizing and developing Regional Market Development plans and strategies for a defined geography for Darden Core brands in the region. This position functions at a senior management level to direct real estate procurement including site selection, determination of brand integrity, contract negotiation and financial return. The Real Estate Director is responsible for maintaining active communications with Development Team Leaders and Team members, developers, real estate brokers and community representatives to ensure efficient, cost-effective site approval and development.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establishes and implements Regional Market Development plans and strategies considering the existing degree of market penetration from each Brand, analysis of the specific trade areas in each market area, and selection of the most quality site in each approved trade area.

• Presents market development plans to Development Team Leaders for approval.

• Manages the administrative and research processes of real estate transactions and evaluations, e.g., site selection process, premier nature of sites, brand integrity, financial return.

• Identifies quality sites in sufficient quantities to meet growth and financial return objectives of the brands.

• Cultivates and utilizes effective broker and developer network to identify premier sites before they reach the market.

• Interacts frequently with Development SVP, Team Leader, Company Presidents, and Officers for committee presentations.

• Negotiates purchase contracts and/or rental leases, in compliance with real estate law, for identified sites.

• Prepares site approval materials and documentation in collaboration with various departments, e.g., investment and market analysis, licensing, design and construction.

• Maintains active communications with Development Team Leader and employees for dissemination of information and project efficiency.

• Assist in license approvals and land use approvals from community representatives.

• Travel 40-60% required

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Eight (8) to ten (10) years progressively responsible management experience in real estate development and acquisition

• Thorough knowledge and successful track record of commercial, corporate retail real estate market development in assigned region

• Solid track record with negotiating real estate contracts

-Demonstrated experience with closing between 10 -20 deals per year in the commercial corporate real estate market

• Applied knowledge of laws governing commercial real estate use and licensing requirements

• Proven experience with "ground-up" development

• Strong financial acumen and knowledge of restaurant P&L preferred

• Experience presenting to all levels for multi-million dollar transactions

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or related field;

OTHER KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Working knowledge and successful track record of Real Estate development in the continental United States

• Ability to multi-task and balance a significant number of projects / simultaneously

• Experience leading and delivering strong results in a highly matrixed organization

• Ability to communicate and function effectively with all levels of employees in a complex corporate environment.

• Ability to communicate concise and compelling business cases to senior leaders

• Effective relationship building, influencing, and persuasion skills

• Expert negotiation skills

• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound business judgment

• Self-motivated, independent leader

• Avoids surprises. Keeps others appropriately informed

• Demonstrated ability to lead employees and teams who do not report directly to you

• Ability to operate effectively given broadly defined objectives.

• Ability to adapt to changing business environments, solve problems and take advantage of opportunities to complete deals

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Real Estate experience in the full-service dining industry preferred