AVP, Real Estate Management

Role Overview

• This position is accountable for developing, influencing, managing, and executing the overall real estate portfolio strategy and governance processes for US and Ireland including real estate portfolio master planning, location strategies aligned with strategic business priorities, lease administration, real estate transaction management, tenant management, and surplus property management.
• Serves as a strategic business partner with Unum leadership as it relates to short term and long-term planning for our real estate portfolio.
• Plans and facilitates the internal Real Estate Advisory Team to ensure alignment with strategic business, financial and employee experience priorities.
• Identifies and presents innovative real estate opportunities to Unum leadership to improve productivity and/or financial stewardship.
• Develops location strategies that support workplace optimization strategies in collaboration with the People & Communications Strategic Program Office, Real Estate & Workplace Services peers, and other internal partners.
• Maximizes property revenue, mitigates expenses, and contributes to long term financial goals through leasing, which includes collaboration to develop and evaluate business cases for proposed deals for leasable space at any location within the portfolio.
• Develops tenant strategies including space allocation, negotiation of contract terms and ongoing planning of leased space that also supports Unum real estate strategy.
• Responsible for field office space optimization including long term planning and presents assessment and recommendations to field office leadership.
• Establishes strategy and provides oversight of the external Real Estate Services partner and Unum Legal activities related to transaction management, real estate contract management, lease administration, and real estate portfolio database management for the full portfolio.
• Facilitates gathering of requirements, sizing, and scoping of real estate/location needs in partnership with internal stakeholders and partners.
• Leverages Real Estate Services partner to develop and recommend location and site selection strategies and oversees transaction services and negotiations.
• Develops and evaluates real estate alternatives, facilitates input from internal stakeholders, and presents real estate proposals and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Ensures Unum compliance as landlord with tenant lease terms and oversees coordination with tenants to include lease-related notifications, critical dates management, billings, reconciliation of payments received, and communications regarding services provided by Unum per the lease.
• Ensures Unum compliance with leases and co-working space contracts for field offices including responding to notifications, critical dates management, review of charges, reconciliation of payments made to landlords, landlord communications regarding services due or property-related issues.
• Oversees development and maintenance of Unum Real Estate Portfolio Database for completeness and accuracy of property-related information and real estate/lease contracts and terms.
• Provides reporting and reviews statements and attestations regarding Unum Group real estate information.
• Partners with Tax to ensure real estate assessments, information requests by municipalities, and property tax bills are reviewed and managed per required deadlines.
• Evaluates opportunities and recommends strategies for surplus properties that align with strategic business and financial objectives.
• Facilitates negotiation, development, review, and approval of real estate contracts for both campus and field locations requiring collaboration with internal partners including Finance, Legal, Investments, Strategic Sourcing, Tax, and business leadership.
• Manages performance of internal and external resources in the administration of real estate contracts, financials, and submissions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and relevant experience required.
• 10+ years of commercial real estate related experience with the following experience preferred: strategic planning, real estate portfolio planning, lease and contract management/administration, workplace strategy, real estate asset management
• 5+ years of applied relevant experience in improving real estate planning and execution processes and performance preferred.
• Certification from a recognized real estate organization (IFMA, CoreNet, CCIM, etc.) is highly desirable
• Real Estate, Transaction Management, Project Management, and Consulting experience desired.
• Demonstrated proficiency in communication, relationship building and influencing skills, and ability to lead discussions and successfully present recommendations to cross-functional and senior business leaders.
• Ability to identify external trends in the industry and new strategic planning approaches and analyze their applicability to Unum’s requirements
• A strong emphasis on social and qualitative aspects such as communication, presentation, influencing, negotiating and inter-personal skills.
• Proven leadership in developing and delivering plans that enable business capabilities and address strategic business priorities.
• Strong understanding of real estate financials and processes and required inputs for reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with peers and business partners.
• Actively seeks input and considers ideas from others.

Benefits

• Award-winning culture
• Inclusion and diversity as a priority
• Performance Based Incentive Plans
• Competitive benefits package that includes: Health, Vision, Dental, Short & Long-Term Disability
• Generous PTO (including paid time to volunteer!)
• Up to 9.5% 401(k) employer contribution
• Mental health support
• Career advancement opportunities
• Student loan repayment options
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible work environments