Site Acquisition Manager - Portfolio & Partnerships

About You And The Role

The Site Acquisition Manager - Portfolio & Partnerships role at Zipline is designed for individuals who are highly connected across retail real estate and portfolio owners, relentless about networking and building momentum, and comfortable leading executive-level conversations. This role requires a combination of deal ownership and support, depending on the market and partner dynamics.

• Build and convert a portfolio-level pipeline by developing executive relationships with organizations that control surplus land (REITs, national retailers, developers/owners).
• Expand Zipline’s relationship map and build and deliver influence decks that move portfolio and internal/external stakeholder decisions forward.
• Represent Zipline at major industry events (e.g., ICSC) and consistently translate networking into repeatable, multi-site partnership conversations and active deal flow.
• Originate and negotiate portfolio partnerships that unlock multi-site pipelines (master terms, standardized exhibits, scalable approvals) and drive executive alignment on value, tradeoffs, and rollout paths—creating urgency and closing decisions.
• Run disciplined pipeline tracking and forecasting in a CRM; report weekly on conversion, probability, and blockers; improve the acquisition engine.
• Anticipate shifting priorities and relationship managing by monitoring key signals and bringing leadership clear options (tradeoffs, impact, timeline).

What You'll Do

Build and deliver influence decks that move portfolio and internal/external stakeholder decisions forward.

• Represent Zipline at major industry events (e.g., ICSC) and consistently translate networking into repeatable, multi-site partnership conversations and active deal flow.
• Originate and negotiate portfolio partnerships that unlock multi-site pipelines (master terms, standardized exhibits, scalable approvals) and drive executive alignment on value, tradeoffs, and rollout paths—creating urgency and closing decisions.
• Run disciplined pipeline tracking and forecasting in a CRM; report weekly on conversion, probability, and blockers; improve the acquisition engine.
• Anticipate shifting priorities and relationship managing by monitoring key signals and bringing leadership clear options (tradeoffs, impact, timeline).

What Success Looks Like

• Portfolio partnerships that unlock repeatable multi-site pipelines (not one-off deals).
• Consistent delivery of signed, buildable sites sourced through portfolio owners and strategic partners.
• Portfolio opportunities convert into signed, buildable sites without friction—with strong cross-team collaboration and shared wins, regardless of whether you served as the primary deal owner or the supporting closer.
• Durable partner relationships that expand over time (more sites, new regions, stronger terms).

What You'll Bring

• 5+ years of site acquisition / real estate dealmaking experience with portfolio owners, large retailers, REITs, or national developers.
• Proven ability to source and close deals end-to-end (not just support), including executive-level negotiations.
• Strong contracting instincts and experience driving LOI → definitive agreement execution with sophisticated counterparties.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent negotiations and redlines with Legal and cross-functional teams.
• Working knowledge of early feasibility considerations (zoning/land-use, access, utilities, permitting constraints) to qualify sites pre-signature.
• Strong organizational rigor and CRM discipline; proficiency with a CRM system (equivalent) for pipeline management and forecasting.
• Experience in regulated or infrastructure-heavy environments (aviation, EV charging, telecom, logistics, industrial).
• Authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice to Have

• Deep network across retail real estate decision-makers and ownership groups (REITs, big box, grocery-anchored centers, national portfolios), including warm relationships you can activate immediately—with specific counterparts already in mind that could translate into partnership conversations and live deal pipeline in your first week.
• Track record converting relationships into multi-site programs with standardized terms (master agreements, playbooks, repeatable approvals).
• Strong presence at industry events (e.g., ICSC) with a history of generating pipeline through conferences and executive relationships.
• Track record using AI tools to increase throughput and quality in a fast-paced environment.