Director of Commercial and University Leasing

22-Jan-2024

Campus Services

64834BR

Job Summary

Reporting to the Managing Director of HUHRE, the Director of Commercial and University Leasing plays a pivotal role by managing and overseeing all leasing operations for commercial spaces and university properties within the HRE portfolio and by providing relevant advisory services to other University departments.  Leading a team of 5 and working closely with other unit Directors, this role is responsible for the strategic development, implementation, and execution of leasing initiatives, ensuring optimal utilization of HUHRE’s commercial, retail, and institutional real estate portfolio in a manner consistent with organizational and University goals. 

The Director of Commercial and University Leasing is additionally responsible for setting strategy and advising University partners on the leasing and use of University space in owned and non-Harvard owned properties. The Director is responsible for Harvard University’s commercial and university lease activity and leads complex negotiations and transactions either directly or in concert with trusted 3rd party advisors, ensuring that University programmatic, financial and placemaking goals are satisfied and held in appropriate balance. 

The Director has responsibility for revenue totaling approximately $100 million through over 350 tenancies and will develop and manage leasing budgets, monitor financial performance, and assess the impact of leasing strategies on revenue generation and cost-efficiency, implementing innovative leasing models to optimize revenue streams and align with University goals. 

Position Description

Build and Lead a Strong Team

• Provide leadership and guidance to a team of leasing and space planning professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Conduct performance evaluations, mentorship, and professional development initiatives to support team growth and success. Be responsible for unit goals and strategy, budget, staffing, performance measurement, and problem resolution.
• Oversee the leasing process for commercial spaces and university-owned properties, managing negotiations, lease & occupancy agreements, renewals, and terminations. Ensure the development and maintenance of detailed workflow documentation outlining the entire lease management process.
• Oversee and accountable for all aspects of leasing for HRE’s University properties, responding to University affiliates’ space requests by maintaining portfolio space utilization data, providing occupancy proposals and, where appropriate, identifying space options outside Harvard’s portfolio.
• Actively monitor and forecast leasing activity in a multi-year plan to optimize occupancy for commercial and University tenants.
• Actively promote a climate of creativity, cooperation, personal and team achievement, the valuing of differences, and high ethical standards.
• Ensure that decisions and policies are effectively communicated and consistently placed into practice throughout the unit.
• Ensure teamwork and quality within the unit, as well as between HRE units and University colleagues and clients.

Forge Effective Strategic Relationships

• Develop and implement comprehensive leasing strategies aligned with the overall goals and mission of Harvard University Housing & Real Estate. Analyze market trends, demands, and competitive landscapes to identify opportunities and maximize revenue generation.
• Collaborate with relevant University offices to create a set of campus standards for positioning commercial real estate that includes components of space planning guidelines and leasing.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with commercial tenants, university departments, and stakeholders. Ensure that tenant concerns and issues are addressed in a timely and professional manner to foster positive tenant experiences.
• Participate as a member of the HUHRE senior staff team, contributing to the development of organization-wide policies and strategic planning initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal departments, including real estate development, finance, operations, planning, placemaking and legal teams, to ensure seamless coordination and alignment of leasing activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams regarding crisis management and risk mitigation to ensure timely and effective response.
• Work closely with HUHRE’s Director of Development in identifying optimal space uses in keeping with asset strategy.
• Communicate effectively with University leadership and stakeholders regarding leasing performance and strategic recommendations.
• Help the University advance its planning and strategy around the future of the workplace.
• Demonstrate leadership by participating in University initiatives and professional organizations.
• Develop reporting tools that provide leadership with clear understanding of overall HRE commercial and institutional portfolio performance.

Job specific responsibilities continued in “Additional Information” 

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, real estate management, finance, or related field or equivalent experience required. MBA or Master’s degree preferred.

Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience with leasing, asset management or development or an equivalent combination of experience. Leadership experience with commercial and/or University real estate at scale. 

Demonstrated knowledge of real estate issues and their application in a complex multi-site organization. Deep knowledge of local real estate market. Excellent negotiation and consensus building skills. Demonstrated ability to lead and support teams. Proven conceptual, analytical, and interpersonal skills to effectively implement policies and programs. Demonstrated success in maintaining long-term strategic focus while ensuring day to day transactional objectives. Ability to balance multiple objectives. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Working Conditions

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

This position offers a hybrid work week, with 4 days on-campus and 1 day remote.

Additional Information

Drive Excellence and Compliance

• Continuously improve organizational effectiveness to ensure the attainment of the highest levels of efficiency and customer satisfaction. Oversee financial compliance with University standards.
• Conduct market analysis, evaluate industry trends, and identify emerging opportunities or risks in the real estate market. Utilize data-driven insights to make informed decisions and adapt leasing strategies accordingly. Contribute to annual HUHRE Real Estate Year in Review.
• Devise and implement new methodologies to enhance a culture of continuous improvement in leasing, efficiency and strategic decision making.
• Ensure adherence to legal regulations, leasing standards, and university policies. Mitigate potential risks associated with leasing activities and maintain compliance with zoning laws, property regulations, and leasing contracts.
• Advance actions to protect and improve the campus experience by promoting vibrancy in campus neighborhoods.

Unit Summary 

Harvard University Housing & Real Estate (HUHRE) is a department of Harvard Campus Services, a multi-department organization within Harvard’s Central Administration. HUHRE supports the University’s mission teaching and research by offering an array of housing and real estate services to the University community. 

These services include, but are not limited to: 

• Leasing, managing, and renewing Harvard-owned housing, institutional, and commercial real estate portfolios
• Supporting new University housing and real estate acquisitions and development across the Cambridge and Greater Boston area
• Leading community engagement and programming opportunities within the portfolio
• Managing relationships with external partners and vendors
• Working within the larger University community to develop and coordinate University-wide real estate policies and strategies

Harvard Real Estate (HRE) is a team within Harvard University Housing & Real Estate. The mission of HRE is to provide exemplary stewardship, strategy, and services to the University, including leasing, space planning, acquisitions/dispositions, due diligence, property management and asset management. HRE is directly responsible for approximately 100 buildings spanning ~3.8M square feet in Boston, Cambridge, Southborough, Shrewsbury and Kittery, ME. Properties include historic buildings, a wide variety of commercial office properties, a vacation rental property and two hotels. 

HRE also provides specialized real estate advisory services, primarily in lease administration, negotiation, and space planning to support and complement real estate activities undertaken by Harvard Schools and business units occupying spaces in non-university owned assets. 

Harvard University Housing & Real Estate and Harvard Campus Services are committed to cultivating an organization that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Department Office Location

USA – MA – Cambridge

Job Code

329060 Facilities & Oper Manager

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

Harvard Real Estate

Union

00 – Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Employment, Identity

Schedule

Hybrid schedule, 4 days on Campus, 1 day remote

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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