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Why Rensselaer? Our dynamic global community of changemakers includes some of the world’s leading researchers, students, alumni, and faculty who ask the important questions and devise the scientific and technological innovations that make the world a better place for all of humanity. Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, Rensselaer is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, and one of the world’s fastest supercomputers. 

Rensselaer faculty and alumni include more than 145 National Academy members, six members of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, six National Medal of Technology winners, five National Medal of Science winners, three astronauts, and a Nobel Prize winner in Physics. With nearly 200 years of experience advancing scientific and technological knowledge, Rensselaer remains focused on addressing global challenges with a spirit of ingenuity and collaboration. To learn more, please visit www.rpi.edu.

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Job Summary

The Director of Real Estate directs all activities associated with land management/leases; real estate revenue activities; building and land acquisition/sales; building and land appraisals; all Rensselaer property-related tax payments; Rensselaer tax exemption requirements; and special activities, that include leases and subleases of external facilities, fraternity/sorority land/building leases and finances; estate activities and community issues. The Director is responsible for leading real estate and economic development programs to attract diverse and innovative partners to engage on properties owned by the Institution both residential and commercial, inclusive of properties at Rensselaer Technology Park (RTP). This will comprise extensive collaboration with multiple portfolios including the Office of Strategic Alliances and Translation (OSAT), Provost, Student Life, OCEC, and Finance. The Director is responsible to develop programs to attract and maintain tenant occupants of RTP and create a self-funded real estate program. Programs that cultivate community and regional relationships and foster an exchange of ideas between community leaders, industry partners, researchers and students. The Director is responsible for all fiscal management of the RTP and real estate program including operating and capital budget development and financial controls to achieve goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in business or related field
• Ten (10) years of relevant real estate and commercial property development experience
• Additional business management experience, including experience in supporting technology-driven businesses and working with start-ups.
• Experience in evaluating business plans, and the ability to synthesize technical knowledge and identify associated business opportunities.
• Substantial experience with negotiations and drafting contract and license terms.

Applicants must meet stated minimum education and experience requirements.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Requires expertise in all areas of real estate.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate business relationships.
• Ability to work as a member of a team, incorporating the institutional mission and priorities as the broad context for decision making.
• Strong demonstrated skills in oral and written communication, particularly in relation to: negotiation, marketing, sales, and representing the Institute to external constituencies and internally throughout the Institute.
• Adeptness at managing interpersonal relationships and all forms of problem solving, supported by the intellectual agility to make tactical on-the-spot adjustments consistent with strategic objectives.
• Effective time management skills and the ability to work independently and effectively under pressure to meet established goals and objectives.
• Financial skills, including budgeting, reporting, and understanding financial statements.
• Knowledge of real estate practices related to marketing, leasing, fit-up, and property management.
• Familiarity with design and construction, including determining programmatic needs, interpreting drawings, and construction scheduling and management, including oversight of sub-contractors.
• Ability to maintain strong government and community relations, particularly in relation to land use development regulations, permitting requirements, and environmental matters; demonstrated ability to maintain a respected profile in the local business community.

Job Duties

1. Develop and implement programs and policies related to all aspects of the Institute’s real estate program, including RTP, off-campus owned real estate, and facility and space leases. Develop programs to attract and maintain tenant occupants of RTP and create a self-funded real estate program. Programs that cultivate community and regional relationships and foster an exchange of ideas between community leaders, industry partners, researchers and students. Administer activities related to third party development of Institute Housing.
2. Plan and implement short and long term projects and programs compatible with Institute strategic plans and fiscal goals. Ensure that all real estate initiatives, including RTP, have programs, policies, procedures and financial and administrative services that are aligned with the Institute’s priorities, protocols, and practices.
3. Collaborate extensively with cross-cutting portfolios such as the Office of Strategic Alliances and Translation, Provost, Student Life, OCEC, and Finance.  Identify, encourage, and support strategies and relationships that support program and fiscal goals.  
4. Manage all leases of Rensselaer property, both to and from third parties.   Negotiate and approve leases and lease related documents and interface with, federal or state agencies, or other organizational entities and, will ensure that all organizations comply with regulatory requirements.
5. Provide leadership for all phases of RTP and real estate operations and strategic planning, and in partnership with cross-cutting portfolios, be responsible for the identification of new clients that expand Rensselaer’s mission. 
6. Ensure fiscal responsibility for decisions regarding all real estate and leases, and capital/maintenance programs for properties and RTP.  Ensure that the financial protocols are aligned with the Division of Finance.
7. Manage staff to assist in the attainment of goals and objectives; carries out human resource functions for direct reports including hiring, evaluating, training, developing, supporting, coaching, and when necessary counseling and initiating disciplinary actions. 
8. Collaborate with the Office of Community Engagement and Communications (OCEC) to establish and deploy Institute branding and messaging to the community.

Shift

Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally required

Travel

Driving

Driving a personal vehicle for non-passenger use

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range: $120000- $150000

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Rensselaer is committed to providing a safe and healthy living, learning, and working environment for its faculty, staff and students.  As such, we strongly recommend that faculty, staff and students obtain a COVID-19 vaccination and remain current with available boosters to protect themselves, as well as to protect vulnerable members of the community.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Rensselaer is recognized locally and nationally for the depth and breadth of its compensation and benefits program. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

We welcome candidates who will bring diverse cultural, ethnic, national and international perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity, Race/Gender/Veterans/Disability Employer.