Director of Asset Management, Privately Held Retail Development Firm, Irvine, CA

Company

Our client is a privately held retail real estate development firm based in Irvine, CA. For nearly 17 years, the company has built a reputation as a nimble and entrepreneurial organization focused on creating value through strategic investments, development projects, and opportunistic acquisitions.

Operating with a lean team structure, the firm offers professionals the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and participate in key decisions across the investment lifecycle. The company maintains a diverse portfolio of real estate investments and is actively pursuing growth through acquisitions, development, and asset repositioning initiatives.

Position

The Director of Asset Management will be responsible for maximizing the performance and value of the firm's real estate portfolio while serving as a strategic partner in the evaluation and execution of development and acquisition opportunities. This individual will work closely with ownership and senior leadership to develop and implement asset-level business plans, oversee operational and financial performance, evaluate investment opportunities, and support long-term portfolio strategy.

This is a highly visible role that extends beyond traditional asset management responsibilities. The successful candidate will have meaningful involvement in acquisitions, land acquisition efforts, development projects, capital planning, leasing strategy, and investment decision-making. The position is ideal for a hands-on real estate professional who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and enjoys taking ownership across multiple facets of the business.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute asset-level business plans designed to maximize property performance and long-term value creation.
• Monitor portfolio performance through financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and ongoing review of key operating metrics.
• Identify and implement strategies to enhance asset value, improve cash flow, optimize operations, and drive investment returns.
• Partner with ownership and senior leadership to evaluate new acquisition, development, and land acquisition opportunities.
• Assist with underwriting, due diligence, market research, and financial analysis related to prospective investments and development projects.
• Oversee capital improvement initiatives, redevelopment projects, and value-add programs from planning through execution.
• Coordinate with property management, leasing, construction, consultants, and external stakeholders to ensure successful execution of business plans.
• Evaluate hold, refinance, redevelopment, and disposition strategies across the portfolio and provide recommendations to senior leadership.
• Monitor market conditions, competitive properties, leasing trends, and economic factors impacting investment performance.
• Prepare investment memoranda, portfolio analyses, and strategic recommendations for ownership and investment decision-making.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers, lenders, consultants, municipalities, tenants, and industry professionals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field.
• 8 years of commercial real estate experience with exposure to asset management, acquisitions, development, investments, or portfolio management.
• Strong financial analysis and underwriting capabilities, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling.
• Experience evaluating development opportunities, land acquisitions, repositioning strategies, or value-add investment opportunities is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Excellent communication, relationship management, and presentation skills.
• Proven track record of taking initiative, exercising sound judgment, and contributing to value creation across a real estate platform.

Personal Skills & Attributes

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a lean, fast-paced environment.
• Self-starter who takes ownership, demonstrates initiative, and consistently follows through on priorities.
• Strategic thinker with strong business judgment and a solutions-oriented approach to problem solving.
• Collaborative team player capable of building relationships and influencing stakeholders across all levels of an organization.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to interact directly with ownership, partners, and external stakeholders.