Role Objectives:
The Expansion & Community Manager will play a crucial role in driving diverse real estate assets network growth while fostering strong relationships between these properties and their surrounding communities. This role combines end‑to‑end acquisition and expansion execution with proactive strategic community engagement, ensuring seamless integration of new locations into neighborhoods, addressing concerns, enhancing brand presence, and maintaining positive stakeholder interactions.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Expansion & Acquisition Responsibilities:
- Identify and evaluate potential locations for new dark stores, warehouses and operating offices based on market data, demand patterns, and operational feasibility.
- Drive end‑to‑end real estate acquisition: site identification, feasibility, lease negotiations, licensing, and operational go‑live.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Operations, Marketing, IT, Finance, Legal, Procurement) to ensure efficient rollouts.
- Source, evaluate, and negotiate lease terms that meet financial benchmarks and operational timelines.
- Own the internal approval workflow, eliminating bottlenecks and ensuring timely launches.
- Manage external coordination including landlord negotiations, regulatory approvals, and municipal requirements.
- Maintain a live expansion pipeline tracker with status, blockers, and projected timelines per location, reporting progress to senior leadership.
- Optimize fulfillment point layout and operational processes to maximize efficiency and service levels.
- Track key expansion metrics (launch timelines, cost efficiency, operational KPIs) and drive continuous improvement.
Community Responsibilities :
- Establish and maintain positive relationships with local residents, neighbors, and organizations.
- Conduct regular outreach to gather feedback and address community concerns.
- Proactively tackle issues related to parking, staff behavior, operating hours, and delivery timeslots.
- Act as the first line of contact for complaints arising from store operations or staff interactions.
- Investigate and resolve community complaints in a timely, transparent manner.
- Collaborate with store management and staff to ensure adherence to community standards and operational best practices.
- Develop and implement communication strategies to keep communities informed about operations, promotions, and changes.
- Prepare periodic reports on community feedback and issues, presenting solutions to management.
- Organize initiatives that foster goodwill and demonstrate commitment to neighborhoods (e.g., gifts, promos, local engagement activities).
Required Education, Knowledge, And Skills:
- Required Education, Knowledge, and Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Community Development, Real Estate, or a related field.
- 5–10+ years of experience in commercial real estate, lease management, or combined real estate/community leadership roles.
- Proven track record of scaling physical networks under time pressure.
- 5+ years of experience in community management, public relations, or customer service roles.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Excellent problem‑solving skills and proactive conflict resolution.
- Deep knowledge of the local real estate market, regulatory environment, and community dynamics.
- Experience managing cross‑functional workflows and leading teams of 10+.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.
