[Hiring] Director of Real Estate @Ayr Wellness

Role Description

The Director of Real Estate leads Ayr’s real estate strategy and execution across our multi-state footprint, from market evaluation and site selection through lease negotiation, build-out handoff, and ongoing lease portfolio management.

This role sits at the intersection of real estate, cannabis regulation, and operations:

• Identifying locations that meet both commercial criteria and state and local cannabis requirements.
• Building the business case for each site.
• Guiding deals from LOI to signed lease in close partnership with Legal, Compliance, Finance, Construction, Facilities, and Retail Leadership.
• Managing the performance of our external brokerage partners.

This is a high-visibility, high-travel role supporting an active expansion pipeline. Success in this role is measured by:

• Pipeline coverage against planned openings and licensing deadlines.
• Entitlement approvals.
• On-time and on-budget store openings.
• Occupancy cost as a percentage of sales.
• New-store payback.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of commercial real estate, including site selection, market analysis, lease structures, and lease economics.
• Proven ability to negotiate LOIs and leases and to partner effectively with legal counsel on lease terms.
• Working knowledge of zoning, land use, and permitting processes.
• Strong financial acumen, with the ability to build and interpret site-level financial models (e.g., MPV, occupancy cost, sales-to-rent).
• Experience managing brokers and external vendors.
• Familiarity with construction and facilities processes.
• Excellent executive communication skills.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent deals.
• Proficiency with lease administration systems (e.g., Lease Query), mapping/GIS tools, and Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with cannabis license application and scoring processes.
• Strong negotiation and deal-structuring skills.
• Frequent travel, including overnights, may be required for this position.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Business, Finance, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• Equivalent combination of work/education experience accepted.
• MBA, JD, or CCIM/SIOR designation a plus.
• 8+ years of progressive commercial real estate experience.
• Experience in a regulated retail category (e.g., cannabis, pharmacy, liquor, gaming, or convenience) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of taking sites from market evaluation through executed lease and opening.
• Experience managing or auditing external brokerage relationships preferred.
• Prior leadership experience (3+ years preferred).
• Existing relationships with cannabis-friendly landlords, brokers, and municipal contacts a plus.

Benefits

• Primarily a remote-based role with frequent site visits.
• Travel up to 50% across Ayr’s markets, including overnight travel.
• Flexible days/times, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Must be 21 years of age or older and able to obtain and maintain any required state or local cannabis agent badge or license.

Working Conditions

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods.
• Must be able to walk properties and active construction sites.
• Frequently communicates with internal teams, landlords, brokers, and public officials.
• Occasionally lifts or moves items up to 25 pounds.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and be able to travel by car and air.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while working on a computer or in meetings.
• Must be able to walk properties and active construction sites, including uneven surfaces, and navigate stairs.
• Frequently communicates with internal teams, landlords, brokers, and public officials; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Occasionally lifts or moves items up to 25 pounds.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and be able to travel by car and air.

AYR Wellness is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.