Director, Real Estate - Midwest Region

Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations. We have over 2,400+ stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, and Australia. More than 90% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

At Planet Fitness, our unique mission has always been to enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment. And we’re proud of the amazing Planet Fitness team that supports our clubs and team members. They are comprised of dynamic, dedicated, and talented individuals who represent our values of integrity, transparency, passion, respect, and excellence (while having fun!) in everything they do.

Joining the PF family means being part of a company that cares about bettering the health and wellbeing of our communities. It means being a part of a supportive, engaging workforce with an inclusive culture that values diversity and creates an environment where everyone can feel they belong. It means encouraging professional growth and development. It means making true, lasting connections with your co-workers with celebrations, team building activities and engaging corporate events! It means creating a positive impact in our local communities through our Judgement Free Generation® philanthropic initiative. It means being part of a brand that you can be proud of!

For the past 30 years, we’ve helped millions of people in their fitness journey and revolutionized the industry along the way. And we’re just getting started!

The Director, Real Estate will lead, coordinate, and direct the Real Estate site sourcing and site selection for Planet Fitness’s franchise organization for the assigned Midwest Region in the US. In this role, you will be directly responsible for assisting assigned Franchise Groups to meet their development schedules. As our Director, Real Estate, you will also ensure all ICSC events, brokerage networks, REITs, and LLs consider Planet Fitness as priority for our required space. 

To be considered for this role, you should currently reside in and be willing and able to travel up to 75% of the time throughout the Midwest US region. The states in Planet Fitness' Midwest region consists of: Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.

• Manage the Real Estate process from selection to lease execution for franchised locations within an assigned region.
• Be a key member of regional team aligned with operations, construction, and marketing, working as a team to communicate most effectively with franchisees and achieve our aligned goals and objectives.
• Ensure regular communication with franchisees to support compliance with Area Development Agreement Development obligations.
• Source and qualify site opportunities by analyzing demographic, zoning, cost, and other pertinent market information within a territory to ensure compliance with Planet Fitness’s criteria as well as the “quality” of the sites.
• Travel to required market areas to visually inspect and evaluate proposed sites, existing stores, and competitors within the trade area.
• Research and identify potential issues and risks associated with each site (Zoning, variance requirements, restrictions etc.) that can impact the deal and communicates recommendations to the internal team.
• Maintain and execute market development plans for franchise locations.
• Manage site inventory for assigned region.
• Execute general LOI.
• Review contracts for accurate representation of agreement, timelines, obligations, easements, entitlements, signage rights, earnest money, and costs.
• Manage the real estate process and resolution of contractual issues thru deal closing. Oversee all stages of franchisee approval (from application and evaluation to contract signing and store opening). 
• Manage the Franchise Site orientation, site submittal, and lease execution.
• Manage and cultivate relationships with external brokers and the real estate community.
• Execute weekly “Broker Activity Reports.”
• Continually stay abreast of market and industry trends, economics, governmental processes, and legal parameters.
• Communicate regularly and effectively with project team providing routine updates and proactively identifies upcoming deadlines that affect the team.

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, or Business, or a related field, required
• 5-10 years of real estate site selection experience for a national franchise or retail developer with a proven and progressive track record in handling complex real estate transactions
• 5-10 years working in a Real Estate Department, preferably with QSR or Retail Chain
• Strong experience working with franchise operations, required
• Strong market analysis skills and thorough knowledge of site selection
• Strong knowledge of the real estate process, contracts, and other real estate development transactions
• Proficiency in Windows and its applications
• Self-starter with an ownership mentality and a strong sense of drive and urgency to meet goals
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot problems, resolve conflicts, and set direction
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Extremely detail-oriented, efficient, and organized with an exceptional ability to establish priorities and objectives
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills along with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization, including executives
• Able to establish and maintain effective, collaborative work relationships with diverse individuals, internally and externally
• Creative, progressive, thought leadership with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization
• Excellent leadership skills including the ability to build teams, motivate, guide, and mentor
• Possess a results-driven entrepreneurial mindset, demonstrating initiative and creativity
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and organizational leadership skills
• Exhibits comfort, ease, and flexibility working in an extremely fast-paced ever-changing, deadline-driven environment
• Cooperative team player with an upbeat, positive, “can-do” attitude!
• Currently resides near a major airport in the Midwest US region, required
• Willing and able to travel up to 75% of the time throughout the assigned Midwest Region and occasionally to our Hampton, NH Headquarters location, required
• Has a valid driver’s license, required

• Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits package, including medical, pharmacy, dental and vision benefits
• Generous vacation/holiday pay
• Volunteer days off
• Early release Fridays
• 401(k) Retirement
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Childcare reimbursement
• Pet care reimbursement
• Learning and development programs
• Discount programs, including vacations, theme parks, shopping, meal delivery services & much more
• Free Black Card membership and fun exercise incentives
• Company-sponsored social events