VP

Reports to the SVP of Operations and collaborates with the Senior Leadership Team, external Real Estate Services, and legal counsel.

About the role

This pivotal role develops and executes real estate strategies that support the company's growth objectives, focusing on launching new facilities, managing lease obligations, and driving expansion through greenfield development and strategic acquisitions. The position requires deep commercial real estate expertise, strong negotiation skills, financial acumen, and the ability to translate business needs into actionable real estate plans with measurable ROI.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive real estate strategies aligned with the company’s business plan, emphasizing support for new trade program rollouts, including site selection, market analysis, and long-term portfolio planning.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for landlords, fostering collaborative relationships, negotiating lease agreements, amendments, and renewals, and resolving landlord-tenant issues.
• Partner with the Senior Leadership Team, Campuses, and Functional departments to identify, evaluate, and secure competitive pricing for program launches within aggressive timelines, ensuring alignment with program-specific needs (e.g., space, infrastructure, accessibility).
• Oversee the management of the company’s real estate portfolio, including lease agreements, proactive monitoring of lease terms, critical dates, and obligations to ensure compliance and identify optimization opportunities.
• Develop and implement strategies for future lease renewals, expansions, and potential terminations, maintaining a resource tracker and archive of all lease agreements.
• Lead greenfield development projects, including site selection, due diligence, negotiation of development agreements, management of design and construction, and ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Identify and evaluate real estate acquisition opportunities aligned with strategic growth objectives, lead due diligence, negotiate purchase agreements, and manage property integration. Oversee the disposition of underperforming or non-strategic assets.
• Manage the relationship and performance of the external Real Estate Services Company to ensure effective support of the company’s real estate needs and value delivery. Collaborate with external legal counsel on lease agreements, acquisitions, and other transactions.
• Develop and manage the annual real estate budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and maximizing return on investment. Oversee lease administration, rent payments, and capital expenditure projects, providing regular financial reporting on the real estate portfolio.
• Work collaboratively with Operations, Finance, Marketing, Admissions, and Product Development to integrate real estate strategies with overall business operations.
• Ensure all real estate activities comply with relevant laws, regulations, and company policies, identifying and mitigating potential risks.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in commercial real estate management, with a focus on site selection, lease negotiation, greenfield development, and acquisitions.
• Proven experience supporting new business initiatives or program launches through strategic real estate planning and execution.
• Deep understanding of commercial lease agreements, real estate law, and market dynamics.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex real estate transactions and projects.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, financial analysis, and investment evaluation.
• Excellent negotiation, communication (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in real estate software and technology.
• Travel up to 50% or as needed by business demand.
• Willingness to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays as required.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changes in work environment or schedule.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with students and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team in a highly structured and regulated environment.
• Ability to work remotely in any state where the company is licensed or approved to operate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle objects/tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Work Environment

• Typically not exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
• Moderate noise level in the work environment.