Position Title: Manager of Market Research and Analytics
Department: Development
Reports To: Vice President of Real Estate
Location: Remote
Travel: Up to 20%
FLSA Status: Salaried, exempt
The Manager of Market Research and Analytics will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of our organization's real estate operations through data-driven insights and robust market intelligence. This position is responsible for driving the performance of our real estate portfolio, supporting franchise sales and development, and aiding site selection, all while leveraging cutting-edge technology to improve decision-making processes. The Manager will oversee various analytics projects, evaluate market trends, and collaborate across departments to foster growth and optimize our real estate processes and assets.
Primary Responsibilities:Real Estate Analytics & Strategy
- Lead the real estate analytics function to support strategic growth and optimization of franchisee and corporate location site selection.
- Develop and deliver data-driven insights that guide decision-making across all aspects of real estate management, from portfolio optimization to market expansion.
- Conduct in-depth market analysis, including evaluating demographics, traffic patterns, competitor performance, trip to trade, and local market conditions to recommend site selection and expansion strategies.
- Assess market saturation, whitespace, cannibalization risk, and opportunities for additional locations.
Franchise Development Territory Management
- Strategic Market Plan Development: Work closely with the franchise development team to create comprehensive market buildout strategies to facilitate franchise expansion.
- Territory Checks: Conduct market analysis to ensure franchise territories are aligned with organizational growth strategies and available real estate opportunities.
- Franchisee Engagement: Lead calls with potential franchisees to discuss market opportunities and provide insights on suitable locations for development.
- MUDA Territory Mapping & Legal Descriptions: Prepare and validate MUDA territory mapping and legal descriptions to ensure clarity in market definitions and franchise territory boundaries.
- Site Selection & Training: Participate in site selection calls with new franchisees to identify the best locations for new locations. Provide training on utilizing market analysis data to support informed decisions.
- Decision Days: Create confidential territory packages for candidates. Lead site analytics portion of franchisee decision days to review potential site options, utilizing market analysis and performance data to guide franchisee decision-making.
Real Estate - Site Selection
- Kick-off Calls: Engage in initial kick-off calls with new franchisees.
- Site Research: Perform site research for WH and Sola to identify suitable locations.
- Market Reviews: Conduct comprehensive market reviews to assess potential for new site openings, considering factors such as consumer demographics, competition, and market saturation.
- Growth-Ready Franchisee Calls: Connect with existing franchisees to discuss their readiness for expansion and potential new locations.
- Real Estate Committee (REC) Meetings: Create review materials and presentations and participate in REC meetings to review and approve new locations and corporate renewals, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and profitability targets.
- Landlord Portfolio Reviews: Regularly assess landlord portfolios in partnership with real estate manager to identify opportunities for expansion or renegotiation of lease terms.
Technology Systems Management
- Determine the long-term needs of company systems and solutions and be willing to transition systems as needed and when necessary.
- Lead the operations of Sitewise system, focusing on the building and automation of real estate reports.
- GIS Data Maintenance: Oversee the maintenance and improvement of GIS (Geographical Information System) data to enhance the quality of site selection and market analysis.
- Integrate data warehouse systems to centralize market analysis, site selection, and performance data for more streamlined reporting and decision-making.
- Build and maintain market research models, dashboards, reports, and analytical tools used to support expansion decisions.
- Leverage AI to assist with improving process and learning.
Other Analytics Projects
- Marketing Data & Analysis: Lead data requests and analysis for marketing teams, focusing on site-specific performance and customer engagement insights for WH & Sola locations.
- Location Name Project: Oversee the location name project, ensuring the proper naming of new locations and managing existing location name changes to maintain consistency across the brands.
- Research Projects & Data Requests: Collaborate with business partners on special data research projects, gathering market intelligence to support strategic decisions and conduct comprehensive evaluations of real estate portfolios during mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
- Special Projects: Lead and manage special analytics projects such as occupancy analysis, pricing analysis, impact assessments of new initiatives , and the evaluation of Sola zones for expansion potential.
Experience, Skills and Abilities:- Bachelor's degree in business, Real Estate, Data Science, or related field.
- Proven experience in real estate analytics, market research, or related field, with a strong understanding of consumer behavior, demographics, retail geography, and site selection.
- Strong knowledge of data analysis tools, GIS systems, and real estate technology platforms such as Sitewise or other similar systems and proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
- Expertise in working with business operations, including territory management, site selection, and market planning.
- Strong project management skills with experience in handling multiple, complex projects simultaneously.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with external stakeholders.
- Experience with data warehouse integration and system transitions (Asana, HubSpot) is highly desirable.
- Advanced proficiency in market analysis, data visualization, and reporting tools.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to transform complex data into actionable insights.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to identify trends and opportunities for growth.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
Compensation: The salary range for this role is $95,000-$115,000 annually, commensurate with experience. This role is bonus-eligible and is based on company and individual performance; all bonuses are subject to board and CEO approval.
