Real Estate Manager

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• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Pennsylvania State University is a multi-campus, land-grant, public research university that educates students from around the world and supports individuals and communities through integrated programs of teaching, research, and service.As Pennsylvania's land-grant university, Penn State provides unparalleled access to education and public service to support the citizens of the Commonwealth and beyond. We engage in collaborative activities with private sector, educational, and governmental partners worldwide to generate, integrate, apply, and disseminate knowledge that is valuable to society.

Reporting to the Director of Real Estate, the Real Estate Manager will oversee the University's real estate portfolio, actively managing every facet of acquisition, administration, and disposition of leased and owned properties. This role calls for a proactive problem-solver who thrives on thinking creatively, negotiating with finesse, and confidently guiding challenging conversations to resolution. This critical role on the University Real Estate Services team is responsible for managing the contract and lease negotiation process for the University, including tracking critical dates, completion of transaction documents, leading due diligence collection efforts, and providing guidance to stakeholders on industry best practices to ensure the University's financial resources are utilized efficiently and wisely.Typical transactional activity can range from space or land leases to acquisitions and dispositions, easements and other right of way activities, but can consist of anything that impacts the University's real property interests. In addition, the ideal candidate will assist the department with developing, implementing, and supporting the administrative infrastructure of a complex and widely dispersed real estate footprint, including process and procedure development, improvement and implementation. Transactional experience in a fast-paced commercial real estate environment is preferred, as is experience with higher education institutions.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support all aspects of the University's real estate interests, including leases, acquisitions, dispositions, easements and other transactional activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams using strong interpersonal skills to drive solutions, provide real estate insights, and develop short and long-term portfolio strategies.
• Lead complex, multi-million-dollar negotiations with precision and skill.
• Manage site selection, due diligence, contract review and new site acquisitions from offer to closing.
• Negotiate optimal commercial transaction terms, leveraging market conditions to drive favorable outcomes and ensuring compliance with University policies, procedures, industry best practices and legal regulations.
• Monitor and manage critical lease dates, approvals and project milestones, ensuring timely reporting and strategic, data-driven decision-making.
• Prepare financial analyses, craft business cases and recommendations for executive and stakeholder approval.
• Coordinate and collaborate with multiple stakeholders and University departments to ensure all impacts of a proposed transaction are fully vetted before initiation.
• Coordinate development of department and annual rent expense budgets, together with mid-year re-forecast evaluation and monitor monthly variances.
• Research and interpret lease clauses to address internal customer questions and concerns, then assist to troubleshoot and resolve.
• Research of historic land records to confirm use and/or sale restrictions.
• Support the resolution of Landlord and Tenant disputes.
• Lead or participate in projects and initiatives as a department representative, cross-functional team member or individual contributor.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.
• Competency in e-signature software and typical lease databases.
• Strong attention to detail and proactive organizational skills.
• Proven self-starter with drive to succeed.
• Strong analytical skills, as well as ability to think outside the box to identify solutions to problems.
• Strong customer-oriented interpersonal communication skills, written and verbal, with a strong focus on promoting collaboration and relationship building.
• Proficient understanding of lease terminology, calculations, financial terms and principles.
• Proficient understanding of local, state, and federal real estate laws, as well as current best practices, or abilityto gain this proficiency.
• Proficient understanding of real estate taxation, exemption, and PILOT agreements.
• Contract and lease negotiation experience, both on behalf of buyer/tenant and seller/landlord.
• Ability to treat sensitive business information in a confidential and professional manner.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision as well as take direction from multiple managers.
• Ability to identify University needs and commit to responding in agreed upon timeframes.
• Ability to work harmoniously in a team environment, with a positive outlook and attitude.
• Ability to organize, direct and motivate others.

TRAVEL

• Limited to day trips, approximately 15% of the time.

This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Business or related Real Estate or Legal field preferred.
• Previous experience in commercial transactional real estate is strongly preferred.
• Previous experience in the higher-education industry is helpful.
• Previous experience as a paralegal is helpful.

LICENSING

• A current Pennsylvania real estate salesperson license is not required, but prior licensed experience representing clients is preferred.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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