Real Estate Lead - US & Canada
POP MART (09992.HK), founded in 2010, is a leading global company in the trend culture and entertainment industry. Centered around IP, POP MART has built a comprehensive platform for creative incubation and IP operation, empowering global creators while delivering exciting products, services, and immersive entertainment experiences to consumers.
About the role
POP MART is seeking a highly organized and execution-driven Lead of Real Estate to lead the on-the-ground expansion of our retail stores and ROBO SHOP vending machines across the United States. As a global pioneer in designer toy culture, POP MART is rapidly scaling its physical presence — and this role is key to making that growth happen. You will own the execution of our real estate pipeline — driving site selection, lease negotiations, and cross-functional coordination to open new locations. This is a unique opportunity to be at the center of POP MART’s U.S. growth, translating our expansion plans into physical locations and delivering results that are visible across the entire organization.
We follow an office policy with an expectation of five days per week working onsite. Being together in person helps us collaborate, stay connected, and build a strong team culture. At POP MART, we foster a high-trust environment and trust our employees to make decisions that support both the team and the business.
Responsibilities
- Site Selection & Evaluation
- Execute end-to-end site identification and evaluation for new store and ROBO SHOP locations across the U.S and Canada, working within defined market priorities and criteria set by leadership.
- Conduct thorough site assessments including field visits, trade area analysis, traffic and demographic review, and competitive context.
- Prepare and present site packages, investment summaries and recommendations to internal stakeholders for approval.
- Maintain a healthy, well-documented pipeline of prospective locations to support ongoing expansion goals.
- Lease Negotiation & Transactions
- Lead lease negotiations, LOIs, and contract modifications, securing favorable economic and operational terms within approved deal parameters.
- Partner with Legal to review and finalize lease agreements, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution.
- Track deal progress and maintain accurate records of lease status, key dates, and financial terms across the portfolio.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with landlords, property managers, brokers, and developers to facilitate smooth transactions and unlock future opportunities.
- Project Coordination & Store Launch
- Coordinate closely with Construction, Operations, Legal and Merchandising to ensure all pre-opening activities are completed on schedule.
- Manage project timelines and milestones from lease execution through grand opening, proactively identifying and resolving delays.
- Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for landlords and internal teams throughout the build-out and opening process.
- Conduct post-opening reviews and maintain complete, up-to-date project documentation and reporting.
- Team Leadership
- Hire, coach, and manage direct reports supporting the U.S. and Canada real estate pipeline, setting clear priorities and holding the team accountable to results.
- Set team goals, deal targets, and market coverage plans aligned to overall expansion objectives.
- Foster an inclusive, high-performance team culture, providing regular feedback, development opportunities, and mentorship.
- Represent the real estate function in cross-functional leadership discussions, escalating risks and resource needs as appropriate.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher.
- 10+ years of experience in retail real estate with a strong focus on site selection and negotiating leases; multi-unit retail brand experience preferred.
- Proven track record of managing a high-volume pipeline of real estate transactions from prospecting through lease execution.
- In-depth knowledge of top shopping centers, lifestyle centers, and major business districts across the United States.
- Strong negotiation skills with experience securing favorable lease terms across diverse market conditions.
- Excellent project management and organizational skills; able to manage multiple deals and deadlines simultaneously without dropping the ball.
- Ability to motivate & lead a team while fostering an inclusive working environment focused on collaboration with internal and external cross-functional partners.
- Demonstrated leadership skills, including experience hiring, developing, and managing direct reports, setting clear goals and priorities, and holding a team accountable to results.
- Strong communicator and collaborator — comfortable working across internal teams and with external landlords, brokers, and developers.
- Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and dependable; thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
- Willingness to travel as needed for site visits and market coverage across the U.S and Canada.
- Canada real estate experience is strongly preferred.
Benefits
- Market-competitive packages: 401k, health insurance, PTO, paid sick leave, and family leave.
- Growth opportunities: on-the-job training, leadership development, and stretch assignments to advance your career.
- Career development: opportunities to take on larger responsibilities as POP MART's North America business scales rapidly.
Pay
The base salary range for this position is $170,000 - $210,000 annually. This range is provided in accordance with applicable state and local pay transparency laws and may vary based on geographic location. Individual compensation will be determined based on factors including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and qualifications. This position may also be eligible to participate in the Company's incentive compensation program.
Schedule
This role follows an office policy with an expectation of five days per week working onsite.
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position (e.g., seated or at a desk) for extended periods while operating a computer or other office equipment.
- Must be able to occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 25 pounds.