About Vale

At Vale, our goal is to make magic and bring the real benefits of matcha to a billion people. We are a group of fun-loving, matcha enthusiasts who believe that a good idea can come from anywhere. Vale is a Seattle startup making magic through cutting-edge technology, automation, and world class hospitality experiences. We are a dynamic and highly cross functional team with a wealth of experience in food service, food automation, software engineering, aerospace, and consumer electronics. We have come together to develop the Matcha experience of the future — whether that’s in a cafe, your neighborhood park, or at home.

About you

You are someone who is enthusiastic about matcha, obsessed with innovation, and loves being a part of a dynamic team.

• Enthusiastic about matcha. The world of matcha is huge, so you should be curious about its benefits, flavor profiles, and methods of preparation.
• Detail Oriented. Take pride in your craft and ensure Vale’s products are consistent, repeatable, and of the highest quality.
• Versatile. Bringing matcha to a billion people is dynamic work! You should be comfortable sharing your expertise in one area, but capable of owning something new in another.
• A bar raiser with proven experience. You don’t just meet the standard — you raise it. You bring deep, hands-on expertise that elevates everyone around you and sets a new benchmark for what great looks like.
• Excited to be a part of a growing team. Vale is a growing company and we want you to grow with us.
• A strategic leader. You see the map of the country and know exactly where Vale should be. You combine big-picture vision with the operational discipline to execute it.

The role

As Director of Strategic Growth and Placements, you will define and execute Vale’s real estate and location growth strategy, owning everything from market prioritization to deal execution to build-out oversight.

• Develop and own Vale’s multi-year real estate and location growth strategy
• Lead and develop the Real Estate and Development team, initiatives, and roadmap
• Set and manage the real estate pipeline, from market selection through lease execution
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with real estate developers, REITs, and corporate real estate teams
• Evaluate and pursue non-traditional placement opportunities including airports, campuses, and corporate offices
• Oversee financial modeling for the real estate portfolio and provide leadership with investment recommendations
• Partner with Retail Operations, Construction, and Finance on the end-to-end site delivery process

Qualifications

• Legally authorized to work in the United States
• 8+ years of commercial real estate or corporate development experience with at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Deep expertise in retail or restaurant real estate, ideally in high-growth multi-unit brands
• Proven track record of leading teams that have opened 10+ locations per year
• Strong financial modeling skills and experience with portfolio-level real estate analysis
• Extensive broker, developer, and landlord relationships across major US markets

Compensation

$152,000 – $195,000 per year

Benefits

• Company funded ORCA card
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Annual bonuses
• Joining a fun startup in Seattle