Senior Real Estate Specialist

Senior Real Estate Specialist

Planning, Space, and Real Estate
University of Minnesota

Description of Position

The University of Minnesota's Real Estate Team within Planning, Space, and Real Estate provides real estate leadership and services to the University of Minnesota System (Twin Cities, Duluth, Morris, Crookston and Rochester Campuses and numerous research and outreach centers). The Senior Real Estate Specialist position is responsible for (1) the management of real estate lease transactions including renewals, amendments, terminations, and exercising of options in existing lease agreements; (2) negotiating new lease transactions as assigned; (3) management of license agreements, permits, and co-sponsorship agreement transactions; and (4) special projects as assigned.

This is a 12-month, 100% time Civil Service position, which reports to Director of Leasing and Property Management.

Essential Functions of Position

50% - Lease/Transaction Management: The Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) is responsible for all renewals, amendments, early terminations, exercising of options, and enforcing terms of lease agreements with respect to landlord/tenant obligations for the entire University System. This includes advising University units on business terms, negotiation of terms and conditions, drafting renewal or termination letters, drafting amendments, coordinating the approval process, working with the Office of the General Counsel to ensure the appropriate legal documentation is developed and approved, ensuring the appropriate insurance requirements are met, preparing financial analysis of leasing options, coordinating leasehold improvement projects as required, and managing a wide range of issues encountered in real estate transactions. The SRES collects data for lease agreements and works with the Lease Administrator to ensure all data pertaining to lease agreements is properly entered in the University's Lease Inventory System to ensure accurate reporting.

Accounting responsibilities include calculating rent increases and management of CPI increases. Responsible for confirming rents, maintenance, and operations expenses are accurate to ensure prompt and accurate payments.

This position is the first point of contact in the Real Estate Office for the management of leases where the University is the landlord and will be responsible for interpreting and enforcing policies pertaining to use of space, rents, and all other matters pertaining to the leases, including resolution of any conflicts in ensuring adherence to lease terms and provisions.

30% - New Lease and Use Agreement Transactions: The SRES is responsible for new Lease transactions and license agreements as assigned by the Director of Leasing and Property Management, for the entire University System. This work includes conducting market studies and analysis, negotiating business terms while maintaining and developing relationships with external parties such as landlords and brokers, advising University units on business terms, negotiation of terms and conditions, compiling site surveys for off-campus requirements, interpretating University policies and procedures to ensure that transactions are in compliance, coordinating the review and approval process, working with the Office of the General Counsel to ensure the appropriate legal document is developed and approved, ensuring external parties and their requested use of University space aligns with the mission of the University and does not interfere with University's needs for space, ensuring that insurance requirements are met, completing financial analysis of complex long term leases, coordinating leasehold improvement approvals, process, and payments, and other lease transaction duties for a complex portfolio with a high volume of lease agreements.

20% - Special Projects: The SRES represents the Real Estate Office on other University Projects as assigned, which could include development of procedures to increase efficiencies, research projects, property evaluations, market studies, and liaison to other University departments.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a hybrid work environment - part time remote and part time in an on-campus office environment

Hours are 8:00 - 4:30 or 8:30 - 5:00

Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. Starting salary will be within the following range:

Minimum Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree
* 5 years of relevant experience in real estate or a related field, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least nine years.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

* Ability to communicate effectively, succinctly, and persuasively in writing, orally and interpersonally
* Experience with commercial real property lease agreements.
* Strong financial and analytical skills
* Strong attention to detail
* Excellent judgment and ability to work independently
* Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines
* Demonstrated integrity and adaptability
* Ability to effectively manage through ambiguous assignments
* Awareness of, appreciation for, and responsiveness to the needs of a diverse workplace
* Demonstrated ability and success in providing support to and working in teams, including working with and through others to accomplish goals
* Ability to develop and process information using real estate market data, Microsoft products, Google Suite, and real estate asset management software

Pay Range: $80,000-$95,000, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).