The Director, Real Estate & New Store Development plays a critical role in defining where and how the brand shows up physically. By targeting epicenter markets and ensuring disciplined execution, this leader enables profitable, visible, and scalable retail growth while delivering compelling, on-brand store experiences. This senior leader is responsible for shaping and executing the company’s retail expansion strategy, with a focused mandate to identify and pursue new locations in strategic epicenter markets that drive brand visibility, growth, and long-term performance. This role supports the internal real estate and new store development LTSP, serving as the strategic partner to VP Retail, and external real estate brokers while leading cross-functional execution from site strategy through store opening. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily:Real Estate Strategy, Epicenter Markets & Broker Leadership  Own execution of the retail real estate strategy with emphasis on identifying and securing locations in strategic epicenter markets (high-impact cities, neighborhoods, and retail corridors that accelerate brand awareness and growth)Identify, evaluate, and prioritize new market opportunities in partnership with external real estate brokersLead broker relationships, market planning, and site selection strategy across all store formatsDevelop clear point-of-view on market entry, adjacency strategy, and portfolio sequencingEvaluate site opportunities and business cases, balancing brand presence, financial returns, and market potentialProvide recommendations on LOIs, lease terms, and deal structures in partnership with Senior Leadership, Legal, and FinanceSupport development of the Epicenter portion of the North America LTSPNew Store Development Leadership  Oversee the full lifecycle of new store development from lease execution through openingEstablish and manage NSO project plans governing timelines, budgets, and performance standards for all new store projectsLead cross-functional alignment across Retail Operations, Construction, Design, IT, Merchandising, HR, and MarketingEnsure operational readiness and consistent brand execution at store openingAnticipate and resolve complex risks across multiple concurrent projectConstruction & Investment Oversight Provide strategic oversight of construction and build-out executionOwn capital planning, forecasting, and approval processes for new store investmentsEnsure adherence to tenant improvement agreements, landlord obligations, and delivery milestonesDrive cost control, value engineering, and schedule optimizationEnsure permits and city code requirements are metOversee final punch-list completion and resolution of outstanding deliverablesFinancial, Reporting & Executive Communication Partner with Finance to develop business cases for new store investmentsDeliver new store openings on time and on budgetSupport long-range planning and multi-year expansion roadmaps Team & Process Leadership Build, lead, and develop a high-performing real estate and new store development teamEstablish scalable processes, playbooks, standards, and governance for store openingsContinuously improve processes to increase speed-to-open while reducing cost and complexityCapture post-opening insights to refine epicenter market and site strategies 
