sweetgreen · 20 hours ago
Sr Director, Real Estate
New York, NY
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$160K/yr - $229K/yr
10+ years expSweetgreen is in a high-growth phase, expanding into new markets while strengthening compliance frameworks across its restaurant footprint. They are seeking an experienced Senior Director of Real Estate to manage the company's new restaurant openings, relocations, and real estate development activities primarily for the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Food and BeverageOrganic FoodRestaurants
Responsibilities
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
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
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
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
Qualification
Required
A Bachelor's Degree is required
A minimum of 10+ years of progressive corporate real estate experience, with at least 5 years in multi-unit restaurant, retail, or hospitality development
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 Coast and Mid-Atlantic expertise strongly preferred
Business management experience including financial, operational, and compliance responsibilities
Strong understanding of market analytics, demographic tools, and financial modeling
Ability to analyze the market and the competition, develop competitive strategies and recommend action plans
Strategic ability to think through and partner with operations to deliver capital-optimized real estate solutions
Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills with strong executive presence
Ability to travel frequently (up to 50-75% of work schedule)
Preferred
Master's Degree (MBA) preferred
3-5 years as a tenant broker representative or portfolio manager preferred; development experience a plus
Experience with Real Estate project management/tracking systems (e.g. Accruent, CoStar RE Manager)
Real Estate Broker's License (Active and in good standing) preferred
Benefits
Three different medical plans to suit your and your family's needs
Dental and Vision insurance
Flexible PTO plan
401k program
Employee HSA and FSA
Complimentary greens
An opportunity to make a real impact on the people around you, both by growing them and by connecting them to real food
To live the sweetlife and celebrate your passion + purpose
A collaborative team of people who live our core values and have your back
A clear career path with opportunities for development, both personally and professionally
Free sweetgreen swag
Company
sweetgreen
Sweetgreen is a fast casual restaurant chain that serves simple, seasonal, and healthy salads, and grain bowls.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
sweetgreen has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (1)
2024 (4)
2023 (1)
2022 (2)
2021 (5)
2020 (3)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$478.6MKey Investors
FidelityT. Rowe PriceRevolution
2021-11-18IPO
2019-09-19Series I· $150M
2018-11-16Series H· $200M
Leadership Team
Jonathan Neman
Co-Founder and CEO
Nicolas Jammet
Co-Founder & Chief Concept Officer
Recent News
2026-01-24
Arkansas Business — Business News, Real Estate, Law, Construction
2026-01-23
The Motley Fool
2026-01-22
Company data provided by crunchbase