Director of Real Estate

About the position

This is a rewarding long-term career opportunity to work with all levels of the Kiddie Academy® Educational Child Care corporate team, as well as our franchisees as they make an impact in communities across the country.  As the Director of Real Estate, you will assist new and existing franchisees with securing real estate using a lease or purchase agreement for the operation of the franchisee’s Academy.  This is an “in-market” REMOTE work position. Although our corporate office is located in Abingdon, MD, we are looking for the best qualified candidate who resides in the Nashville, TN area to better serve our franchisees in that region.

Why us?

Kiddie Academy® Educational Child Care routinely ranks among the top franchising companies and providers in the childcare category. In 2024, we ranked #116 in Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of the top 500 franchisors around the globe. At a local level, we proudly claimed the #1 spot in the Baltimore Business Journal’s Best Place to Work 2024 awards, maintaining our standing as finalists for five consecutive years.

Kiddie Academy® Educational Child Care has been preparing young minds for future success since its founding in 1981. With more than 330 franchises in 40 states and the District of Columbia, we are poised for continued growth.

Benefits you’ll love:

• Salary Range of $150,000-$160,000 annually


• Commission Eligibility


• 100% company-paid medical and life insurance for you,


• 100% company-paid dental and vision for you and your family


• 401K and 4% employer match upon eligibility


• Childcare tuition discounts


• Paid parental leave


• Generous paid time off, including vacation, PTO and holidays


• Paid volunteer time off to support local nonprofits

Why you?

You are an experienced professional with a positive outlook and a passion for making an impact.  You are looking for a long-term career opportunity with a company that is committed to work-life balance, and that promotes a culture of respect, kindness and transparency. You are an excellent communicator, you take great pride in the quality of your work, you are detail oriented, you are tech savvy, and you excel at multitasking.

Your Skills and Experience:

• Franchising experience is preferred


• Child care commercial real estate experience is preferred


• Previous transactional real estate experience working directly for a retailer or as a commercial real estate broker primarily focused on commercial-retail real estate


• Thorough understanding of and experience with commercial real estate leases and contracts, and translating it into quality locations


• Ability to network with real estate brokers and developers


• Ability to negotiate business terms of a lease or PSA  


• Familiarity with tenant improvements and how it relates to the business terms of a commercial lease


• Strong professional verbal and written communication skills including the ability to interact effectively with people at all levels of the organization


• Ability to utilize the latest business software regarding site selection, demographics, mapping,


• Excellent computer skills in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat


• Ability to be persuasive and aggressive with franchisees, landlords and brokers to drive deals


• Ability to travel 25-35%


• Process driven but creative and innovative


• Detail oriented


• Ability to work collaboratively to achieve business objectives


• Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, work independently


• Strong professional verbal and written communication skills including the ability to interact effectively with people at all levels of the organization


• Excellent computer skills in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat

We are growing fast, and the future is bright! Don’t miss out on joining us.