Director, Portfolio and Retail M&A

Company Overview

Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO) is part of Bridgestone Americas and employs over 22,000 teammates in North America. BSRO operates more than 2,200 company-owned stores, including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus and Wheel Works locations. With locations across North America and more than $4.5 billion in tire and auto service sales, Bridgestone Retail Operations is the right place to build a career. Whatever role you fill, when you represent the Bridgestone name, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to Serve Society with Superior Quality. We start by offering each teammate more than just competitive pay. We provide formal training, performance incentives, paid vacation and holidays, competitive healthcare packages for full-time and part-time employees, and a 401k plan to help build towards your future. We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole self to work and know they are supported. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. So, show us what you are made of. Show us the smart stuff, the tough stuff, the bold, beautiful and brave stuff. Because who you are is what we need.

Real Estate & Property Management

Position Summary

A preferred candidate has been identified for this role. While all applications will be reviewed, the hiring manager may choose not to hold interviews and select the preferred candidate. In this case, all internal applicants will be notified of the decision.

The Director, Portfolio and Retail M&A is responsible for developing and executing investment and portfolio strategies aligned with BSRO’s long-term network growth and enterprise objectives. This role leads small-to-mid-sized corporate retail acquisitions and portfolio real estate transactions, including multi-site acquisitions and complex real estate opportunities, with accountability from initial evaluation and underwriting through closing and store conversion/integration. The Director also leads strategic portfolio planning and investment initiatives designed to accelerate growth, optimize BSRO’s retail network and maximize long-term real estate value.

Bridgestone is committed to fair and lawful compensation practices. All employees receive pay that meets or exceeds the applicable minimum wage requirements.

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• Develop and execute investment and portfolio strategies aligned with BSRO’s long-term network growth, financial and enterprise objectives.
• Lead small-to-mid-sized corporate retail acquisitions and portfolio real estate transactions, including multi-site acquisitions and complex real estate opportunities, with accountability from initial evaluation through closing and store conversion/integration.
• Lead the financial evaluation and underwriting of acquisition and portfolio opportunities, including valuation, financial modeling, capital requirements, return analysis and investment recommendations.
• Direct real estate and business diligence and regulatory approvals for acquisition opportunities, evaluating portfolio quality, market positioning, site viability, lease obligations, capital needs, risks and conversion requirements.
• Structure and negotiate complex transactions involving multiple locations, sellers, landlords and other counterparties, including asset purchase agreements, purchase agreements, leases, lease assignments and other transaction documents.
• Develop comprehensive investment cases and recommendations for senior leadership, evaluating strategic fit, financial returns, capital requirements, transaction structure, risk and long-term value creation.
• Lead cross-functional execution of retail acquisitions and portfolio transactions, coordinating with Operations, Finance, Legal, Construction, Accounting, IT, Marketing and other internal stakeholders.
• Lead post-acquisition real estate conversion and integration planning, establishing priorities, timelines and accountability to efficiently integrate acquired locations into the BSRO network.
• Develop strategic portfolio recommendations based on market strategy, store performance, financial returns, operational needs, portfolio risk and long-term growth objectives.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities for strategic relocations, consolidations, dispositions, portfolio restructures and other action that improve network quality, market position and long-term value.
• Evaluate portfolio and multi-site opportunities that can accelerate network growth, increase density, secure high-quality real estate and supplement traditional new-store development.
• Partner closely with Asset Management on portfolio initiatives requiring lease renewals, restructures, dispositions or other asset-level execution while maintaining accountability for the broader portfolio investment strategy.
• Partner with Real Estate Development and Market Research and Strategy to ensure portfolio investment and acquisition activity aligns with priority markets and BSRO’s broader network strategy.
• Provide strategic recommendations regarding capital allocation across acquisitions, portfolio investments and other complex real estate opportunities.
• Establish appropriate governance, reporting and risk-management processes for portfolio and M&A activity, ensuring timely identification and escalation of material issues.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with REITs, major retail property owners, developers, brokers, business owners, investors and other industry partners to identify acquisition, portfolio and other strategic opportunities.
• Evaluate alternative transaction structures, including selective joint ventures and other strategic real estate arrangements, where appropriate to support growth or portfolio objectives.
• Serve as a real estate subject matter expert for complex, strategic and confidential investment and acquisition opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-centric environment focused on financial discipline, problem-solving and execution.

 

Reporting Relationships

• Lead assigned resources and cross-functional project teams in support of portfolio strategy, acquisitions and transaction execution.

 

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in retail real estate, corporate development, M&A, finance or related fields, preferably within a large, multi-site retail organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, real estate, law or a related field.
• Extensive experience evaluating and executing complex real estate, portfolio or M&A transactions.
• Strong financial and investment acumen, including valuation, financial modeling, capital analysis and investment return metrics.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex transactions and cross-functional initiatives from evaluation through execution.
• Strong negotiation, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Detailed knowledge of leases, purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, due diligence materials and other real estate and transaction documents.
• Exceptional verbal, written and executive presentation skills.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and real estate technology platforms.

At Bridgestone, you are Free to Be

We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they feel safe bringing their chosen version of themselves to work. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. So, show us what you are made of, because who you are is what we need.

What we offer

At Bridgestone, what really matters is to foster co-creation opportunities and empowering you to be creative and curious to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more sustainable for future generations. Whatever role you fill, when you represent Bridgestone, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality”, for that, we offer you more than just a competitive compensation; we will provide you:

• A supportive and engaging onboarding experience to ensure a smooth transition into our team.
• The opportunity to develop and grow, through training and regular mentorship.
• Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
• A truly global, dynamic and challenging work environment.
• Agility and work/life effectiveness and your long-term well-being.
• An effective and inclusive team.

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is our policy to consider all individuals for employment based on their unique merit and without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.