VP Real Estate and Construction

Job Summary : Oversees the planning, directing, coordinating and budgeting of all Real Estate, Construction and Lease Administration projects for Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.

LCE) and Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, Inc. (BLD). Assures that company and franchise store development goals, along with distribution center development goals, are met and all projects are completed to quality standards in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Provides strategic leadership, ongoing training and development, coaching, and performance management to the Real Estate, Construction and Lease Administration departments.

Find out more about this role by reading the information below, then apply to be considered.

Essential Job Functions

• Develops and maintains comprehensive development plans for company and franchise store locations, along with distribution centers, across the U.S.
• Utilizing staff, achieves the annual store development goal by scheduling site visits with qualified franchisees, initiating development by communicating with franchisees, by reacting to information about new shopping centers or properties and by maintaining contacts with developers and compatible retailers.

Assures the pace of store openings will be sufficient to meet the goal and if not, reacts quickly and adjusts strategy.

• Create, develop and implement chain-wide construction and real estate policies and procedures. Develop best practices for construction, real estate and lease administration projects that include performance metrics.
• Signs off and makes final decisions on the evaluation of both company and franchise store locations to assure the locations meet LCE’s criteria for demographics, visibility, access, parking and construction.
• Ensures site selection, lease administration and development of distribution centers in the U.S., including the management of broker services, meet standards and provide adequate support for stores.
• Provides strategic leadership, ongoing training and development, coaching and performance management to the Real Estate, Construction and Lease Administration departments to assure standards are met.
• Ensures that proper training is being conducted for Real Estate, Construction and Lease Administration teams and franchisees about the fundamentals of site selection, lease negotiation and construction.

This training can take place during site visits, in the classroom as part of new Franchisee Business Training, at convention or regional meeting workshops, or other training as may be determined from time to time.

Use own knowledge to provide enhancements to existing programs.

Supplemental Job Functions

• Attend trade conferences as required. (i.e. IFA)
• Perform job functions outside of defined region as needed.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Architecture, or a related area.
• 15 or more years’ relevant progressive experience in a leadership role(s) responsible for Real Estate and / or Construction, or related function in the restaurant or retail industry.
• Strong, updated understanding of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other site analytic tools.
• Strong experience working with franchisees to motivate smart development and successfully resolve development-related franchisee escalations.
• A track record of hiring A players and leading, developing and coaching a staff.
• Evidence of sound business acumen and demonstrated analytical skills and abilities.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with all levels in the organization, with franchisees, vendors and contractors.

Evidence of excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

• Responsible for department budgets maintenance and drafting yearly budget based on target development goals and objectives.
• Ability to work on multiple projects concurrently in a results-oriented and deadline driven environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• No employment or contractual restrictions due to existing confidentiality and / or non-competition agreement and ability and willingness to sign a confidentiality and non-competition agreement with the Ilitch companies.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Global experience preferred.

Working Conditions

• Works in a normal office environment where there is no physical discomfort due to temperature, noise, dust, and the like.
• This position requires approximately 50% travel which may include travel to restaurant locations and trade shows. This position requires the ability to adhere to the LCE travel policy.
• Requires accessibility during non-traditional hours such as evening, nights, and weekends.

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