Real Estate Division Manager

Company Description

Our client is a local city government entity, with more than 8,000 employees and a $2.55 billion budget, who is dedicated to ensuring that community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. The goal of the City’s General Services Department is to guide agencies through innovative and efficient deployment of resources to meet their missions and fulfill the needs of the City in a rapidly evolving and complex environment.  The Department will design and deliver expanded, shared services across departments and for the City to improve performance and save taxpayer money.  General Services consists of capital project management, fleet services, procurement, environmental services, property management, real estate services, landscape management, and other support services.  

Position Description

Our client is seeking a Real Estate Division Manager within the Department of General Services. The selected candidate will manage a division of real estate professionals.  The division manager is responsible for brokerage services, overseeing and managing property acquisition, disposition, and appraisal processes for the city, and managing much of city’s property portfolio including leases.  The division manager is expected to provide senior management, high-level policy and strategic direction to the workgroup; to build and maintain exemplary professional relationships with city staff and external stakeholders; and to act as the primary point of contact for all matters relating to Real Estate Division’s services. The division manager is also a member of the Department’s Leadership Team, expected to contribute to the successful management of the Department and the City.  The division manager also works collaboratively with partner departments and consultants to ensure best delivery of real estate services.  

Responsibilities

• This position is responsible and accountable for effective and efficient delivery of real estate services. 

• Partner with other departments’ development and service experts in support of their service provision goals 

• Provide vision and direction to the City in the acquisition, disposition, appraisal and lease management services provided by the Real Estate Division.  

• Manage and supervise staff, establish work plans, goals, and objectives. 

• Exercise good independent judgment and decision making and guide staff to make decisions which reflect the best interest of the citizens of Charlotte.

• Manage and motivate a group of professionals to provide effective, reliable, responsive, and innovative service.

• Establish and implement division procedures and standards including needed change.

• Create and implement successful strategies for team success.

• Evaluate performance related to the division’s goals and develop recommendations for future improvements.  

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City executives, City Council, client Departments, business and community leaders and the general public.

• Provide customers (internal and external) with courteous, client focused services, expert technical advice, information, and consultation; ensuring that staff is accessible, provides seamless delivery, and responsive to needs. 

• Oversee operating and capital budgets.

• Troubleshoot and resolve real estate problems and issues with appropriate involvement of departmental leadership and partner departments.

• Appropriately elevate issues, key decisions, and project status to leadership. Provide potential solutions to the issues, identifying opportunities and risks associated with each potential solution. Discuss proposed key decisions with leadership to ensure appropriate consideration prior to implementation.  

• Demonstrate integrity, ethics, and strong political acumen. 

• Demonstrate the skills and organizational intuitiveness necessary to foster citywide trust.

• Ensure technical competency of self and staff on a variety of projects.

• Performs other duties as assigned.   

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Expert in the field of real estate brokerage services, property acquisition and disposition, property appraisals, and portfolio management.  

• Ability to provide oversight, review, and supervision to real estate project managers to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, procedures, and funding provisions. (For example, Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. (PL 91-646), as amended; The Surface Transportation and Uniform

Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 (STURAA); The United States Department of

Transportation (DOT); and The State of North Carolina.)

• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)

• Excellent customer service, collaboration, conflict management, interpersonal communication, and process improvement skills are essential

• Ability to analyze complex administrative, operational and policy issues and make sound recommendations for resolution and effective implementation  

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City executives, City Council and other public officials, business and community leaders and the general public

• Progressive leadership experience in strategic planning, policy and procedure development, team management, conflict management and corporate social responsibility

• Proactive, strong communicator, responsive, approachable, and comfortable managing conflict

• Finance and business acumen in developing operational and capital budgets, procurement processes, contracting and financial analysis

• Proficient in Project Management principles, including planning, design, execution and delivery, and evaluation

• Ability to effectively engage in a collaborative work environment; skilled in drawing out, analyzing, and implementing the diverse ideas others.

• Computer skills at the intermediate level proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite Products (Word, Excel, Access)  

• Competencies and skills leading to success include being proactive, a strong communicator, responsive, approachable, and comfortable managing conflict

• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced/high-pressure environment

• Successful candidate must have a valid driver's license and ability to receive and maintain a City Driving Permit

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a four-year degree in real estate, economic development, public administration, business, or a related field with seven (7) years of experience or a four-year degree in a related field with a graduate degree in public administration, business administration or related with at least five (5) years of related experience.

• A North Carolina Real Estate Brokers License or the ability to obtain within six months of employment is required.