Development Associate
Job Summary
The Development Associate contributes to Au Bon Pain’s growth by supporting new store development and contract retention initiatives, in traditional and non-traditional real estate trade channels.
The Associate in this role has primary responsibility for developing and submitting proposals, often in response to formal RFPs. In developing proposals, the Associate will work closely with each of the Real Estate / Development Vice Presidents, as well as members of other departments within the company.
The Development Associate will also participate in generating new leads and qualifying opportunities in institutional settings, including hospitals, universities and museums, through direct sales and other marketing efforts.
Key Responsibilities
1. Serves as project manager and lead writer in charge of new site responses to Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and contract composition, facilitation and submission in institutional trade channels. Ensures thorough and timely drafting, review, and modification of agreement drafts, as well as development of materials required to gain negotiating and execution authorization.
Collaborates with design, legal, finance, marketing and operations teams to ensure current and appropriate information is documented and properly edited for each proposal.
2. Sources and procures new opportunities through direct sales outreach, campus visits and conference participation. Responsible for direct calling and relationship selling with channel decision makers to promote ABP’s development goals. Participates in presentations to external clients as well as internal real estate committee.
3. Works with the Vice President of Development to create and follow a strategic plan for procuring leads in a one or more trade channel(s) and/or markets. Maintains financial and operational information for existing portfolio to support evaluation of new opportunities.
4. Manages development team conference and trade show schedule and budget. Attends 3-5 trade shows annually for institutional channels to network with decision makers. Responsible for travel arrangements, reservations, and conference form and payment execution for entire real estate development team. Makes recommendations to senior management on current and prospective conference attendance based on the level of revenue generating opportunities from specific events.
5. Manages ABP’s charitable giving efforts as part of the Development Retention Program for existing partners. Develops annual charitable giving action plan and makes monthly recommendations to senior management. Coordinates event information with the event partner and with ABP attendees. Processes and submits all financial and in-kind donations. In-kind donations require working with ABP catering to ensure that the Partner receives all necessary items for the event.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree
Experience and Skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong planning and organizing skills, with considerable attention to detail
Must be able to work with teams and communicate with individuals of all levels
Must be able to take initiative, show a capacity for making evaluative decisions and work independently on goals without supervision.
Restaurant and/or real estate experience a plus
Understanding of brand placement in a given market
Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe).
Entry level candidates encouraged to apply
Travel
10-15% travel