Manager, Commercial Real Estate

Manager, Commercial Real Estate

Location:  Tri State Area
Reports to: General Manager, Chestnut Fuels
Travel: Frequent day trips, limited overnights

Company Overview

Chestnut Group is a trusted convenience retail brand, preferred fuels marketer and exceptional place to work in the tri-state area.  The privately held Company owns and operates gas stations and convenience stores under the Chestnut Market brand and is a preferred supplier for premium fuel flags including Shell, Exxon Mobil and British Petroleum among others.  The company has a growing portfolio of wholesale customers and assets across the Northeast within its Chestnut Fuels business.   Chestnut Group is focused on creating and delivering exceptional people-first convenience with care – every experience, every time.  Come join our growing and passionate commercial team!

Position Summary 

The Manager, Commercial Real Estate will manage and optimize a growing commercial real estate portfolio consisting primarily of convenience store, gas station and single-tenant retail properties. This role is responsible for owning, managing and driving profitable outcomes for the company’s commercial real estate portfolio, including but not limited to leasing, acquisitions, divestitures, and overall portfolio strategy.  This senior role must work well with others and partner effectively with Operations, Construction, Environmental, and Legal teams to support business growth and mitigate risk.  This role ensures that sites are optimally located, financially sound, compliant, and aligned with long-term growth and operational objectives.

This is a hands-on, strategic role ideal for a commercial real estate professional who thrives in a fast-paced, agile, accountable and team-oriented environment.  

Key Responsibilities

Real Estate Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Own and manage the Company’s commercial real estate portfolio.
• Own, lead and execute the Company’s strategic network planning process which requires impeccable attention to detail and follow through.

• Negotiate leases, renewals, amendments, purchase and sale agreements, easements and rights-of-way with landlords, tenants and/or regulatory authorities
• Manage landlord and tenant relationships to ensure favorable commercial terms and long-term value
• Oversee lease compliance, critical dates and obligations
• Source, evaluate, and negotiate fee and leasehold acquisitions for convenience and retail motor fuel properties
• Lead the sale and/or leasing of non-core assets through regional commercial real estate brokers

Relationship Building

• Maintain strong relationships with commercial real estate brokers in, and adjacent to, the Company’s operating markets
• Build and sustain effective relationships with landlords and their representatives

Financial Analysis & Reporting

• Prepare investment memorandums for Investment Committee approval, including:
  • Financial pro formas
  • ROI analysis
  • Construction cost estimates
  • Demographic and market analysis
  • Environmental liability allocation
  • Comparable sales and market data

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, Construction, and Environmental teams to ensure accurate financial projections, construction costs, and environmental risk assessments are incorporated into all transactions
• Work closely with in-house and external legal counsel on leases, contracts, and purchase and sale agreements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (Real Estate, Finance, Business, or related field)
• 5 years of experience managing commercial real estate portfolios within the tri-state area
• Proven experience negotiating leases, purchase and sale agreements, and related commercial real estate documents
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills
• Ability to excel in a collaborative, team-oriented environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Google Earth or similar mapping tools
• Strong understanding of common commercial real estate agreements and legal concepts

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with convenience store and retail motor fuel (C&G) properties 
• Working knowledge of environmental considerations related to real estate transactions 

Compensation & Benefits

Chestnut Group offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Company vehicle and fuel
• Comprehensive health coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off (PTO)
• Performance-based bonus or incentive eligibility
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements, as role responsibilities allow