University Director of Real Estate Services

Please submit applications for this position using the following link: https://careers-anothersource.icims.com/jobs/101473/university-director-of-real-estate-services/job?mode=job&iis=SOURCE&iisn=Craigslist

Another Source’s client, Washington State University, is recruiting a Director of Real Estate to join their team on campus in Pullman, WA.

About the role:

The Director of the Washington State University (WSU) University Real Estate Office is a key leadership position responsible for the operational management and administrative direction of the University Real Estate Office. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration, the director plays a pivotal role in managing the University’s real property holdings.

As a hands-on Director, you will be responsible for leadership and oversight of all Washington State University real estate transactions. This position will be responsible for negotiating and drafting agreements for real property transactions; requiring familiarity with best practices in lease structures, including ground leases, office leases and various financial structures. You will oversee the daily property management of university holdings, including a research park, innovation building, golf course and restaurant, and manages operations, and administrative activities of the University Real Estate Office.

The incumbent is responsible for managing and monitoring a small team of high performing professionals within University Real Estate Services and will develop business strategies that optimize the university’s real property assets in support of the university’s mission and strategic goals.

How your time will likely be spent:

Strategic Development Planning & Leadership (25%):

Establish the direction, goals, implementation strategy, and policies of the University Real Estate Office. Formulate and implement a strategic plan for the real property holdings of WSU, identifying and capitalizing on opportunities that align with WSU’s goals.

Translate strategic and tactical business plans into operational plans, making operational decisions within defined parameters.

Provides leadership and direction; planning, developing, managing and administering business operations of the Real Estate Office; directing and controlling real estate programs to assure accountability for the allocation of resources and results.

Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure that business practices within Real Estate Services conform with university, state, federal and other relevant laws and regulations.

In collaboration with the SAVP, designs, recommends, and maintains an organizational structure and staffing plan to effectively accomplish the units’ goals and objectives. Provide effective training and ongoing performance feedback and formal annual performance evaluations. Motivate staff to achieve peak performance; initiate corrective and/or disciplinary action as necessary

Supervise staff to meet the goals and objectives of the department. Provides guidance and leadership to ensure that staff have the resources and training to perform their duties at the highest levels and to support career development.

Formulates and administers the annual operating budget for the University Real Estate Office.

Real Property Negotiation and Coordination (65%):

Leads real property-related business ventures and Public-Private Partnership (P3) activities from concept to exploration and feasibility to execution.

Manages and negotiates real estate transactions, including planning and feasibility analyses, purchases, dispositions, easements, and leases, with expert contracting advice, coordinating closely with staff at the appropriate WSU campus.

Negotiates all leases and agreements for space where WSU is either a landlord or a tenant to meet university needs.

Performs property management of key assets, including research park, innovation building, golf course and restaurant.

Conducts conceptual and site feasibility studies, as well as market studies.

Evaluate potential gift, purchase, and sale or leases of real estate.

Manage, sell, or lease real property donated or bequeathed to WSU.

Develops and negotiates transactional documents for the acquisition/disposition of real estate in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office and other attorneys and professionals involved in the transactions. Consummates transactions within delegated authority or recommends approval when a transaction exceeds authority delegated to the position.

Develops template transactional documents that can be used for the negotiation of complex documents or required for routine real estate transactions.

Oversees preparation of bid packages, sales programs, property positioning, ordering appraisals, advertising, escrow closing, title reports, surveys, etc. Performs and oversees market studies and property/financial analysis and appraisals as needed. Ensures due diligence with specific responsibility for market value and title.

Coordinates the University’s due diligence and approval process and associated documentation.

Cultivates and assists in real estate development, acquisition, donation and disposition in accordance with an established master plan.

Administration & Regulatory Compliance (10%):

Advise senior administrators on the implementation of programs, new initiatives, and special projects. Ensure that all programs, activities, and services comply with university, state, and federal regulations.

Develop and maintain partnerships throughout the university, overseeing communications, promotions, and public relations to achieve departmental goals. Serve on various university, division, and departmental committees.

Represent the department at various state and national associations.

Understands, develops, coordinates and implements (providing training, documentation and interpretation) real estate policies and guidelines, including policies and procedures relating to Board of Regents’ consideration and approval of transactions; and serves as an advocate for the campuses’/stakeholders’ interests with respect to policies/initiatives developed outside the realm of the real estate functional area, but with potential impacts upon real estate asset management.

Maintains accurate and current real estate records to include information needed to ensure timely and accurate accounting of all real estate transactions and information and to comply with reporting requirements.

What we would like to see from you:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and six (6) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, which has included at least three (3) years of managerial experience. A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience.

At least three (3) years of senior level practical and managing experience in real estate or a closely related field. An advanced degree, preferably in business administration or law is preferred and may be substituted for up to two (2) years of experience. Work experience in higher education real estate transactions or a public agency or institution in the state of Washington is a plus.

Experience negotiating real estate transactions and drafting contractual documents.

Demonstrated expertise in real estate principles and practices.

Demonstrated leadership capabilities and attributes, exemplified by vision, strategic and critical thinking, creativity, accountability, humility, and integrity.

Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

Demonstrated skills in public presentations and negotiations.

Ability to work collaboratively; act discretely and tactfully and handle sensitive and confidential information; manage/lead conflict resolution.

Demonstrated ability to develop strong and effective working relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external to the business unit.

Salary and benefits:

This position is based in the WSU Zone 1 and is Salary Grade 10, which has a minimum monthly salary of $7,541.56 and maximum monthly salary of $11,795.78. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, this salary reflects the full salary range for this position. The Hiring Department’s expected hiring range is $8,166.67 - $9,583.34. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. For additional information, please review WSU’s Administrative Professional Compensation.

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Relocation compensation can be negotiated at the time of time of hire in accordance with WSU Business Policies and Procedures Manual 55.62 Relocation Compensation (https://policies.wsu.edu/prf/bppm-55-62/) and is subject to appropriate payroll taxes.

About WSU Real Estate Portfolio:

WSU’s real estate portfolio includes approximately 14,000 owned and leased acres supporting five campuses, 10 research and extension locations, land holdings across the state, 9 locations outside of the state of Washington and a revolving number of international activities based on research opportunities. Total building count exceeds 900, with total owned building space of over 9.6 million square feet. In addition to management of the real property portfolio, the University Real Estate Office oversees the collection of lease income from properties, and also serves as the property manager for distinct research buildings at the Pullman and Spokane campuses, as well as the Palouse Ridge golf course and restaurant. All real estate activity including acquisition, sale or lease of real property is managed by the office, with pro-active coordination with campus and other system offices

Learn more about WSU Real Estate: https://rebo.wsu.edu/

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