Sr Director, Real Estate

Senior Director, Real Estate

About sweetgreen:

sweetgreen is in a high-growth phase, expanding into new markets while strengthening compliance frameworks across our 280+ restaurant footprint. We’re seeking an experienced Senior Director of Real Estate who will be a key member of the Store Development Corporate Real Estate team and will be responsible for managing the company's NROs (New Restaurant Openings), Relocation, and real estate development activities for the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic regions with counterparts in Strategy, Real Estate, and Design.

This position will report directly to the sweetgreen Chief Development Officer (CDO) and will lead Real Estate acquisition activities to meet corporate 3-year plan objectives while negotiating the most favorable business terms for sweetgreen.

Typical deal structures are 10-year lease terms, and the Real Estate Team works in conjunction with sweetgreen's external real estate vendors along with both inside and outside legal departments to accomplish expedited deal timing and appropriate terms.

This person must have an extensive real estate background regarding market knowledge and differing deal types and transaction methods. Comprehensive market strategy, acquisition, and deal management experience is required to assist field operations with business development and real estate needs. This is a high-visibility role that requires an expert deal-maker with a proven track record of successful site selection and lease negotiation.

Location: This role is based on the East Coast, ideally New York.

Core Responsibilities:

Real Estate Strategy & Market Planning

• Develop and execute a multi-year real estate growth strategy aligned with company goals and 3-year plan objectives
• Conduct market research, trade-area analysis, and competitive assessments to identify high-potential markets across the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of new restaurant opportunities across priority regions
• Analyze and make business recommendations on real estate trends and portfolio conditions

Site Selection & Development

• Manage internal and external real estate partnerships including leading site approval, coordinating lease execution process, and managing cycle time efficiencies
• Lead the end-to-end site selection process, including field tours, feasibility studies, and financial modeling
• Partner with Operations, Finance, Construction, and Design teams to evaluate site viability
• Present site recommendations to executive leadership and secure approvals through the real estate committee process
• Ensure that all areas of the store development process undergo appropriate review

Deal Negotiation & Portfolio Management

• Negotiate LOIs, leases, renewals, relocations, and terminations to optimize occupancy costs and secure the most favorable business terms
• Manage relationships with landlords, brokers, developers, and external partners
• Oversee the existing real estate portfolio to ensure performance and compliance
• Work with real estate vendors, developers and landlords in processes focused on ideal outcomes

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Reporting

• Collaborate with Construction and Design teams to ensure timely and cost-effective project delivery
• Work closely with Operations to accomplish goals, objectives, and strategic plans
• Oversee the preparation of reports to executive levels of the organization including sweetgreen C-Suite and monthly metrics
• Ensure that appropriate steps are taken to anticipate and correct any unsatisfactory operating results and vendor relationships
• Provide real estate insights and strategic recommendations to senior leadership

Desired Skills & Experience

Qualifications

• A Bachelor s Degree is required;
  Master s Degree (MBA) preferred
• A minimum of 10+ years of progressive corporate real estate experience, with at least 5 years in multi-unit restaurant, retail, or hospitality development
• 3-5 years as a tenant broker representative or portfolio manager preferred; development experience a plus
• Proven track record of successful deal-making, site selection, and lease negotiation
• Wide-ranging multi-state real estate experience and market knowledge required, with East…