• Job Type: Officer of Administration --
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

Position Summary

The Director of Real Estate reports to the VP for Real Estate and directs real estate transactions and management of the University's diverse real estate portfolio.

Responsibilities

• S/he will work on significant and complex projects related to residential, academic and health care facilities.
• In consultation with the VP for Real Estate, the incumbent organizes and implements high level real estate management and development services and helps to formulate expert guidance and recommendations to senior University leadership on major real estate initiatives involving the acquisition, development, or disposal of assets.
• The incumbent will liaise with University stakeholders (Chairs, Deans, faculty and other University representatives) in the preparation and presentation of retail and commercial leasing and development strategies that address University and community requirements and concerns.
• The Director will identify, structure and execute real estate projects and transaction opportunities which support the University's short and long term strategic initiatives.
• S/he will conduct market and site analysis for potential acquisition opportunities, both for lease and purchase.
• Assisted by outside real estate professionals and legal counsel, the incumbent will directly negotiate lease, purchase and sale agreements and other related transaction documents.
• S/he will also actively optimize lease agreements through market benchmarking and proactive renegotiation of priority leases.
• In collaboration with other team members, s/he will develop, monitor, and evaluate Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) for all aspects of real estate management.
• The incumbent will professionally represent the University to external agencies, consultants, brokers, etc. and bid, negotiate, and manage third-party providers of real estate services as appropriate (consultants, brokers, etc.).
• S/he manages outside consultants, as required, to meet project and/or organizational goals.
• In addition to having responsibility over his/her own role, the Director will collaborate with RE colleagues and play a key role in facilitating strategic and administrative direction for the team.
• In this capacity, the incumbent will focus broadly on the University real estate portfolio to address concerns and issues from an enterprise-wide perspective.
• In consultation with the Vice President for Real Estate, s/he develops department goals, implements supporting actions and routinely tracks progress toward completion.
• S/he will assist in managing client relations to ensure a smooth transition for clients/tenants during the leasing, acquisition and/or disposition process.
• With input from RE Executive Team and other stakeholders, develop processes to optimize common lease activities throughout the University.
• In consultation with the Vice President for Real Estate and other stakeholders, the incumbent will identify data management and analytical needs and implement solutions via in-house or third-party solutions.
• S/he will coordinate interface between real estate data and other University operational databases/systems (e.g., finance, space management).
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• A minimum of 7 to 9 years of progressive experience as a Real Estate Professional including the buying, selling and leasing of real estate, managing and developing of both owned or leased real estate. 
• Real Estate professional with a collaborative, consultative style and strong customer service mentality.
• Strong analytical, financial skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work at all levels in the organization to achieve goals.
• Capable of developing strong working relationships internally and externally with leadership team, colleagues, physicians, staff, neighbors, and officials.
• Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems.
• Capable of interpreting University needs and translating to real estate solutions.
• Ability to work both independently and in team settings.
• Superior verbal, written communication and analytical skills.
• Strong, but fair, negotiating skills achieving value for the University.
• Direct experience with commercial real estate transactions, health care development, financial analysis and project management required.
• Familiarity with city planning, architecture, medical facility regulations or NY Real Estate Law highly desirable.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks, exercise sound judgment and manage time effectively are a must.
• Integrity, communication and collaboration skills and a flair for diplomacy are needed to succeed in this demanding institutional environment.
• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel and PowerPoint are a must.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or Masters level degree in a program applicable to the role preferred.
• Experience in a public, institutional and/or healthcare real estate setting preferred. Experience with development of affordable housing in NYC a plus.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.