About this role
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Best Workplaces? in British Columbia 2025
Best Workplaces? in Retail & Hospitality 2025
Real Estate Manager
Reports to: Senior Real Estate Manager
Location: Toronto, ON
At COBS Bread, we are growing our bakery network and looking for a commercially minded Real Estate Manager to join our Growth team. You will identify, assess and secure high-potential retail locations across Canada, helping our franchise partners find the right sites for long-term success.
Reporting to the Senior Real Estate Manager, you will combine market research, strong industry relationships and lease negotiation expertise to move opportunities from site identification through to signed leases. You will work closely with franchisees, regional leaders and internal teams to prepare site recommendations and support new bakery openings.
What you will be responsible for:
Site Selection and Market Research
- Identify, qualify and pursue high-potential real estate opportunities across Canada.
- Conduct market research, including demographic analysis, traffic patterns and market evidence, to assess locations and support site recommendations.
- Prepare and present detailed site packages for Senior Leadership approval in collaboration with internal teams.
- Build and maintain relationships with brokers, landlords and developers to identify opportunities and secure optimal locations.
Lease Negotiations and Documentation
- Work with brokers to negotiate lease offers and terms within COBS Bread parameters.
- Prepare lease analysis reports and obtain franchisee and Regional Director agreement to proposed terms.
- Work with COBS Bread?s legal counsel to finalize lease documentation.
- Keep franchisees and COBS Bread management informed of negotiation progress and outcomes.
Construction and Pipeline Coordination
- Coordinate with the Construction and Design team and landlords on signed leases and sites moving forward, providing accurate landlord information and supporting required approvals.
- Arrange site surveys with the Construction and Design team and support new bakery construction and refurbishments.
- Initiate and conduct regular meetings with Regional Directors and the Franchising team to review pipeline activity and site availability.
- Work with other departments to manage end-of-lease closures and bakery surrenders.
Industry Knowledge and Workplace Safety
- Maintain current knowledge of the retail property market and retail lease legislation through site visits, industry publications, professional networking, ICSC activities and conferences.
- Build effective relationships with franchisees, regional management, leasing agents, landlords and legal counsel.
- Contribute to a safe and healthy work environment and meet applicable workplace health and safety responsibilities.
Requirements
What you bring to the table
- A university degree or equivalent in Property, Business or a related discipline.
- Strong commercial acumen and in-depth knowledge of the retail and real estate industries.
- Strong knowledge of lease legislation and retail leases, supported by excellent negotiation skills.
- An established network of relationships with landlords, developers and brokers.
- Experience in quick-service restaurants, fast-casual dining or franchising is preferred.
- Experience using analytical tools and real estate market software to compile and analyze research data and prepare reports.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Teams and OneNote.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to man