Group Manager, Real Estate and Workplace Strategy

The Group Manager of Real Estate & Workplace Strategy has overall responsibility for the engagement model with Business Unit (BU) leaders and key internal customers that results in the development and delivery of strategies, programs, solutions and services that optimize the firm’s consumption of real estate, workplace and the associate experience - furthering the long-term goals and financial objectives of the firm. Independently identifies and assesses the real estate and workplace needs of the assigned business unit, area, or region and implements approved actions. Ensures compliance with real estate and workplace policies and processes. Identifies performance gaps and inefficiencies; builds improvement and change plans, influencing the approval/adoption by senior management and key stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Based on business growth and change, prepares highly complex annual and multi-year business plans, which include capital and operating budgets and other resource requirements. Identifies key milestones for execution success.
• Provides consulting on the execution and delivery of highly complex real estate activities, including advising on site selection, managing site and land use, acquisitions and disposal, and conducting sale and leasing negotiations. 
• Leverages subject matter expertise and industry partnerships to evaluate and recommend new leasing and subleasing opportunities. Leads complex activities, liaising with project/facilities management and legal counsel to help drive optimum business deals.
• Partners with the assigned business unit, area, or region to plan for future workplace requirements. Works to gain consensus and/or negotiate a compromise as needed. Proposes changes or solutions to improve the organization's real estate management effectiveness and optimize business outcomes.
• Researches and presents alternative Workplace Strategies for space utilization, mobility, health and well-being, sustainability and associate engagement.  Develops programs that: optimize the real estate portfolio; deliver higher performing facilities; create healthier and more productive work environments; and have less impact on the environment. 
• Leverages systems, tools and data and seeks to distill business insight from key metrics (utilization, vacancy, churn, satisfaction, engagement, productivity) to develop and drive strategies, solutions and manage performance against goals.
• Leverages strategic relationships to influence at all levels of the organization. Liaises with other business units and collaborates with other stakeholders to develop and implement consensual decisions.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• 10+ years of relevant work experience

Preferred:

• Experienced, strategic real estate and workplace leader with at least ten years of experience.
• Deep and proven knowledge of real estate industry and trends.
• History of successfully transacting real estate leases that result in positive outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to define, set expectations, influence and execute multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills; demonstrated ability to think about business problems in new ways and clarify key issues in complex situations.
• Highly self-motivated and able to thrive in an extremely fast-paced and changing environment.
• Demonstrated ability in managing and influencing others within and outside of reporting lines.
• Strong executive presentation skills, both oral and written; able to tailor communication style to effectively meet the needs of the audience.
• Strong business acumen, with Financial Services experience a plus.
• Working knowledge of data management platforms in the real estate and workplace arena