Job Description
Effective Start Date
June 1, 2026
The Real Estate Manager, East Coast is responsible for leading and executing Zumiez’s retail real estate strategy across the Eastern United States. This role owns all leasing and portfolio activity for a multi-state territory, including new store development, renewals, relocations, and portfolio optimization. The position serves as the primary regional real estate owner, independently driving transactions and representing Zumiez externally.
Position Details
JOB TITLE Real Estate Manager – East Coast
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Reports to the VP of Real Estate
FLSA STATUS Exempt – Full Time
DEPARTMENT Real Estate
LOCATION Hybrid or Remote (East Coast Preferred)
East Coast Real Estate Strategy & Market Execution
- Own and execute Zumiez’s East Coast real estate strategy aligned with brand and financial objectives.
- Develop and maintain a pipeline of new store opportunities across malls, street retail, off-mall, and outlet centers.
- Conduct regular market tours and provide insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
- Serve as the primary real estate point of contact for the East Coast region.
Leasing & Transactions
- Lead all leasing activity including new stores, renewals, relocations, remodels, expansions, and closures.
- Independently negotiate retail leases and amendments with landlords, developers, and brokers.
- Drive site selection through market research, trade area analysis, and financial underwriting.
- Prepare and present deal packages to the Real Estate Committee and executive leadership.
Portfolio Management
- Manage a multi-state store portfolio with accountability for performance and risk mitigation.
- Identify underperforming assets and recommend renegotiations, relocations, or exits.
- Partner with Operations and Facilities to resolve landlord and store-related issues.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Legal, Finance, Construction, Store Planning, Lease Administration, Facilities, and Operations.
- Coordinate timelines, approvals, and documentation to support on-time store openings.
- Provide real estate guidance to internal stakeholders.
External Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with landlords, developers, and brokers.
- Represent Zumiez through market tours, site visits, and industry engagement.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in real estate, Finance, Business, or related field.
- 5–8 years of progressive retail real estate experience
- Proven ability to independently negotiate leases and manage a regional portfolio.
- Strong financial, analytical, and communication skills.
- Willingness to travel approximately 25–30%.
Preferred Qualifications
- Deep knowledge of East Coast retail markets.
- Experience with Malls, outlet centers, off mall and street retail
- Financial Modeling
- Trade Area Market Analysis experience
- MBA, JD, or other advanced degree a plus.
Special Physical and/or Mental Requirements
- Regular interaction with high-level retail landlord representatives.
- Visits to retail construction sites as part of job duties.
- Standing required during site/store visits and work shifts.
- Ability and willingness to work additional hours when necessary.
- Repetitive hand motion when operating a computer.
- Operation of office equipment such as computers, phones, fax machines, and copy machines.
- Ability to sit at a workstation in an office environment for extended periods and work on a PC without limitations.
- Ability to move around, sit, bend, and squat in an office to access files and gather information.
- Ability to bend, lift, open, and move products weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to climb ladders as needed.
- Must be able to travel within the country up to 25-30% of the time for market tours, site visits, and meetings. Extended overnight trips, including air travel, are required. Travel may not be evenly distributed throughout the year.
Why Join Zumiez
- High-visibility role with real ownership and impact
- Opportunity to shape the future retail footprint of a leading specialty brand.
- Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture
- Competitive compensation and benefits
Benefits
- Salary Range: $100,000 - $125,000/year
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, following an initial wait period
- 401k after meeting qualifications
- Long Term Incentive Eligible
- Bonus Eligible
- Paid Parental Leave
- Life Insurance
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Sick Leave
- Stock Purchase Program
- Open, casual, pet-friendly office environment
- Employee Discount on Zumiez product
- On-site skate park, on-site cafeteria
Disclaimer
- This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.
Qualifications
Effective Start Date
June 1, 2026
The Real Estate Manager, East Coast is responsible for leading and executing Zumiez’s retail real estate strategy across the Eastern United States. This role owns all leasing and portfolio activity for a multi-state territory, including new store development, renewals, relocations, and portfolio optimization. The position serves as the primary regional real estate owner, independently driving transactions and representing Zumiez externally.
Position Details
JOB TITLE Real Estate Manager – East Coast
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Reports to the VP of Real Estate
FLSA STATUS Exempt – Full Time
DEPARTMENT Real Estate
LOCATION Hybrid or Remote (East Coast Preferred)
East Coast Real Estate Strategy & Market Execution
- Own and execute Zumiez’s East Coast real estate strategy aligned with brand and financial objectives.
- Develop and maintain a pipeline of new store opportunities across malls, street retail, off-mall, and outlet centers.
- Conduct regular market tours and provide insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
- Serve as the primary real estate point of contact for the East Coast region.
Leasing & Transactions
- Lead all leasing activity including new stores, renewals, relocations, remodels, expansions, and closures.
- Independently negotiate retail leases and amendments with landlords, developers, and brokers.
- Drive site selection through market research, trade area analysis, and financial underwriting.
- Prepare and present deal packages to the Real Estate Committee and executive leadership.
Portfolio Management
- Manage a multi-state store portfolio with accountability for performance and risk mitigation.
- Identify underperforming assets and recommend renegotiations, relocations, or exits.
- Partner with Operations and Facilities to resolve landlord and store-related issues.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Legal, Finance, Construction, Store Planning, Lease Administration, Facilities, and Operations.
- Coordinate timelines, approvals, and documentation to support on-time store openings.
- Provide real estate guidance to internal stakeholders.
External Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with landlords, developers, and brokers.
- Represent Zumiez through market tours, site visits, and industry engagement.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in real estate, Finance, Business, or related field.
- 5–8 years of progressive retail real estate experience
- Proven ability to independently negotiate leases and manage a regional portfolio.
- Strong financial, analytical, and communication skills.
- Willingness to travel approximately 25–30%.
Preferred Qualifications
- Deep knowledge of East Coast retail markets.
- Experience with Malls, outlet centers, off mall and street retail
- Financial Modeling
- Trade Area Market Analysis experience
- MBA, JD, or other advanced degree a plus.
Special Physical and/or Mental Requirements
- Regular interaction with high-level retail landlord representatives.
- Visits to retail construction sites as part of job duties.
- Standing required during site/store visits and work shifts.
- Ability and willingness to work additional hours when necessary.
- Repetitive hand motion when operating a computer.
- Operation of office equipment such as computers, phones, fax machines, and copy machines.
- Ability to sit at a workstation in an office environment for extended periods and work on a PC without limitations.
- Ability to move around, sit, bend, and squat in an office to access files and gather information.
- Ability to bend, lift, open, and move products weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to climb ladders as needed.
- Must be able to travel within the country up to 25-30% of the time for market tours, site visits, and meetings. Extended overnight trips, including air travel, are required. Travel may not be evenly distributed throughout the year.
Why Join Zumiez
- High-visibility, director-level role with real ownership and impact
- Opportunity to shape the future retail footprint of a leading specialty brand.
- Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture
- Competitive compensation and benefits
Benefits
- Salary Range: $100,000 - $125,000/year
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, following an initial wait period
- 401k after meeting qualifications
- Long Term Incentive Eligible
- Bonus Eligible
- Paid Parental Leave
- Life Insurance
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Sick Leave
- Stock Purchase Program
- Open, casual, pet-friendly office environment
- Employee Discount on Zumiez product
- On-site skate park, on-site cafeteria
Disclaimer
- This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.
