Portfolio Strategist Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

The Portfolio Lifecycle Manager (PLM) is responsible for maximizing the performance, value, and strategic health of the Five Guys Real Estate portfolio across the entire asset lifecycle. This role integrates portfolio strategy, development pipeline management, franchise transactions, data integrity, operational readiness, and cross-functional collaboration to advance responsible brand growth and ensure strong unit-level economics. The PLM partners closely with Development, Construction, Design, Operations, Finance, and Legal to deliver a coordinated and high-performing portfolio strategy. This individual will integrate their analytical and financial acumen with exceptional communication, cross-functional leadership, and process management capabilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Portfolio Strategy & Lifecycle Planning
• Build and manage a comprehensive lifecycle strategy aligning capital forecasts, remodel triggers, relocations, closures, and long-term growth priorities.
• Maintain a complete portfolio lifecycle dashboard including critical dates, franchise obligations, development commitments, and unit performance indicators.
• Evaluate performance—including sales trends, occupancy costs, and capital exposure—to guide lifecycle decisions such as reinvestments, relocations, closures, or transfers.
• Ensure decisions support long-term brand health, trade area optimization, and franchisee success.

Development Pipeline & Critical Path Management
• Own the full development lifecycle critical path for openings, relocations, remodels, and capital projects.
• Track and validate milestone data from approval to final punch list in the System of Record (SOR).
• Align pipeline progress with Budget and long-range planning.
• Identify delays and implement solutions to maintain development velocity.

Portfolio Reporting, Process Management & Continuous Improvement
• Produce weekly, quarterly, and annual pipeline reporting for stakeholders.
• Maintain accuracy and integrity across portfolio systems and lifecycle tracking tools.
• Collaborate with Development and Construction Services on development forecasting for Budget planning and capital allocation.
• Partner with Analytics teams to produce milestones and performance dashboards.
• Improve reporting, forecasting cadence, and system governance.
• Refine lifecycle workflows, documentation, and compliance processes.
• Support initiatives of accuracy, operational alignment, and development excellence.

• Ensure real-time updates across internal and external development partners.

Franchise Portfolio Transactions
• Manage franchisee-to-franchisee transfers, consolidation, and ownership transitions.
• Lead financial modeling, scenario analysis, and ROFR evaluations.
• Evaluate non-compliant franchisee development and recommend solutions.
• Coordinate diligence, workflows, cross-functional review, and post-closing work.

Financial & Operational Analysis
• Develop and review proformas for remodels, relocations, closures, and transfers.
• Support strategic planning, development prioritization, and capital allocation.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen trade areas, optimize economics, and enhance portfolio value.
• Present analysis, portfolio insights, and lifecycle recommendations to senior leadership.

Qualifications Guidelines:
• 5 + years of related experience, portfolio management, franchise development, financial analysis, or multi-unit operations in the hospitality/food beverage industry experience a plus.
• 3 – 5 years background in development pipeline management or project coordination.

Education/Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Real Estate, Hospitality, or related field.

Language Ability:
Excellent verbal and written skills are necessary. The successful candidate/employee will be required to use written, verbal and group communication skills. The ability to read, write and comprehend complex instructions and correspondence is necessary. It also requires the ability to read, analyze, create and interpret general business memos and documents.

Math Ability:
This position requires excellent business math skills.

Reasoning Ability:
The position requires pragmatic analyzing skills and problem-solving abilities.

Computer Skills:
Exceptional computer skills required in Microsoft Office Suite, Real Estate Systems (SOR tools, PM Platforms), Internet, and other demographic software, such as Map Point. Advanced analytical capability with strong Excel, SmartSheet, and PowerPoint skills.

Physical Demands:
This position may require long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers. There may also be extensive lifting of supplies and materials. The use of hands and arms to reach for, grasp and manipulate objects is required. Travel will be required 25-50% of time.

Special Requirements/Certification:
• Understanding of unit economics, trade area analytics, and forecasting principles.
• Strategic and analytical approach to business with data driven decision making skills

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor, policy and company management.