Director, Retail

Ram Realty Advisors LLC ("Ram") is a real estate investment management firm specializing in multifamily, mixed-use, and grocery-anchored retail in select high-growth markets throughout the Southeast. The firm’s portfolio comprises assets across the investment risk spectrum, including core-plus, value-add, and opportunistic strategies. Founded in 1978, Ram and its predecessor entities have deployed over $5.7 billion of capital on behalf of institutional partners. The firm is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and has offices in Tampa, Florida; Charlotte and Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and Nashville, Tennessee.

About the role

We are looking for a Director, Retail to help us operate a growing portfolio of high-quality grocery-anchored centers in infill sub-markets in the major metros in the Southeast. The Director will report to the Head of Retail and can be based in either our Charlotte, NC or Chapel Hill, NC office.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the asset management of a portfolio of real estate assets, with a particular focus on retail shopping centers and other commercial asset classes.
• Continuously evaluate performance of the portfolio and develop property-specific plans to ensure that the portfolio’s operations are being maximized.
• Implement short, intermediate, and long-term strategies designed to sustain or improve the value of the portfolio to maximize short-term distributable cash flow and increase long-term economic value.
• Monitor performance on a “hands-on” basis, visit assets as frequently as required in order to be fully aware of and effectively oversee property performance.
• Actively monitor market conditions and serve as subject matter expert for submarket trends (recent lease or sale comps, new deliveries, etc.).
• Participate as a key team member in the due diligence and pre-development process; endorse or challenge key assumptions prior to ICOM review.
• Direct leasing activities, review loan documents and other agreements for general responsibilities, and ensure compliance with all property-related documents.
• Engage and manage 3rd party service provider relationships, including property management, leasing, legal, and other professionals.
• Track and forecast property-level cash flow positions and make recommendations on distributions, requests for additional capital, and loan modifications.
• Interface with Capital Markets team and ensure loan compliance.
• Monitor and report on performance, budget variances, and significant changes in market and property conditions.
• Prepare property business plans, operating and capital budgets.
• Review and critique operating statements, annual marketing plans, and annual capital plans among other regular and special reports.
• Analyze and monitor capital improvement and renovation programs, as required, for property maintenance, competitive positioning, or market repositioning.
• Assure owner-funded projects are completed on time and within budget in cooperation with in-house resources and third-party consultants. Owner-funded projects may include comprehensive property renovations, expansions, Tenant Improvement projects, and property repositioning.
• Communicate continually with the senior leadership team to apprise appropriate individuals on issues/decisions impacting assets.
• Monitor lease administration, tenant renewals, and operational requirements.
• Interface with tenant representatives, as necessary.
• Participate in company and department-wide initiatives that may include evaluation (due diligence) of properties for acquisition or disposition among other recurring and non-recurring events.
• Complete execution of business plans through the ultimate sale of the asset, including recommended timing of disposition, engagement of investment sales professionals, coordination of sale and buyer selection process, contract negotiations, and management of due diligence and closing process.
• Utilize market knowledge and owner relationships to assist in Deal Sourcing.
• Provide support in Retail Fund raising/capital markets as needed.
• Lead redevelopment process for Retail assets.
• Foster and maintain Anchor Tenant Relationships, as well as executing on Anchor Tenant leasing and strategy.

Requirements

• Minimum of seven years of relevant and direct real estate asset management experience with a particular focus on retail and other commercial asset classes.
• Bachelor’s degree required (master’s degree preferred).
• Substantial experience with equity investments as a principal, in multiple geographic regions, with a particular focus on retail.
• Ability to create and implement asset repositioning strategies and manage execution of same.
• In-depth understanding of property operations and leasing.
• Experience overseeing construction projects for both asset and tenant improvement projects.
• Strong valuation, due diligence, and real estate financial analysis skills.
• Market analysis skills to support decisions concerning rent rates, capital improvement programs, leasing strategies, and property repositioning.
• Superior oral and written communication skills, strong presentation, and process management skills.
• Strong work ethic. Ability to multi-task, solve problems, and work independently with minimal guidance.
• Well-organized with strong administrative skills.
• Fluent in Yardi, ARGUS, and Excel.