The University of Kansas
Overview
Position Overview: Working under the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Director of Real Estate serves as the primary resource on all real estate matters at the University of Kansas (University) for all campuses and affiliates. This one-university position provides leadership and oversees the operations related to the universitys real property assets, to include asset management, portfolio management, property management, development, disposition, and leasing while ensuring compliance with established university plans, policies, and directives. The ideal candidate will be resourceful and have a customer-service focus. They must thrive in a fast-paced environment and work well with minimum supervision.
Responsibilities
20% - Strategic Real Estate Leadership:
Lead the universitys real estate strategy to optimize the use of university-owned and leased properties.
20% - Real Estate Portfolio Management:
Oversee the full lifecycle of real estate management, from acquisition to disposition, for both owned and leased properties.
15% - New Leased Space Needs & Negotiations:
Lead the identification and review process for any new leased space requirements across university departments.
15% - Real Estate Development & Acquisition:
Drive the identification, planning, and execution of real estate development projects that align with the universitys goals, including new buildings, facilities, and campus expansion.
10% - Financial Oversight & Budgeting:
Maintain asset management of owned assets with overarching goal of improving financial returns, mitigating risk, and ensuring first class operating standards as well as developing and managing short and long-term capital requirements.
10% - Leadership & Collaboration:
Collaborate and coordinate with multiple university and campus offices such as the Office of General Counsel, Office of Audit, Risk, and Compliance, Facilities, KU Endowment Association, University of Kansas Health System, Athletics, and other stakeholders as needed on acquisitions, disposals, leases, licenses, gifts, donations and sales of property.
10% - External Stakeholders & Primary Contact:
Serve as the primary point of contact for external stakeholders, including property owners, brokers, legal counsel, and government agencies.
10% - Compliance & Risk Management:
Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including zoning laws, building codes, and real estate contracts. Proactively identify and manage risks related to property ownership, leasing, and development activities. Implement strategies to protect the university’s real estate assets and mitigate potential legal or financial liabilities. Research and distribute tax documents, tax maps, and deed information as needed to provide others with accurate and current real estate information.
Required Qualifications
Bachelors degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field and a minimum seven (7) years relevant experience, or, a Masters degree or higher in a relevant area of specialization and minimum five (5) years' relevant experience.
Experience in leasing, development, and property acquisition.
Experience in real estate portfolio and asset management.
Proven experience in negotiating complex leases and development contracts as evidenced by application materials.
Demonstrated analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills with an attention to detail as evidenced by application materials.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills as demonstrated in application materials.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
Preferred Qualifications
Work experience that required advanced analytical skills and experience in real estate financial modeling as evidenced by application materials.
Work experience that required flexibility, strong interpersonal skills, ability to work as part of a team as well as independently, in a rapidly changing work environment as evidenced by application materials.
In-depth knowledge of real estate laws, development processes, and market trends as evidenced by application materials.
Five (5) years of experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
Work experience that required effective engagement with senior leadership and external stakeholders as evidenced by application materials.
Additional Candidate Instructions In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
Resume/CV.
List of three (3) professional references.
Only complete applications will be considered.
Review of applications will begin Tuesday, September 2, 2025 and continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.
Contact Information to Applicants: Heather Blanck; heather.blanck@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range: $150,000
Application Review Begins: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Anticipated Start Date: Monday, October 13, 2025
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Responsibilities
20% - Strategic Real Estate Leadership:
Lead the universitys real estate strategy to optimize the use of university-owned and leased properties.
20% - Real Estate Portfolio Management:
Oversee the full lifecycle of real estate management, from acquisition to disposition, for both owned and leased properties.
15% - New Leased Space Needs & Negotiations:
Lead the identification and review process for any new leased space requirements across university departments.
15% - Real Estate Development & Acquisition:
Drive the identification, planning, and execution of real estate development projects that align with the universitys goals, including new buildings, facilities, and campus expansion.
10% - Financial Oversight & Budgeting:
Maintain asset management of owned assets with overarching goal of improving financial returns, mitigating risk, and ensuring first class operating standards as well as developing and managing short and long-term capital requirements.
10% - Leadership & Collaboration:
Collaborate and coordinate with multiple university and campus offices such as the Office of General Counsel, Office of Audit, Risk, and Compliance, Facilities, KU Endowment Association, University of Kansas Health System, Athletics, and other stakeholders as needed on acquisitions, disposals, leases, licenses, gifts, donations and sales of property.
10% - External Stakeholders & Primary Contact:
Serve as the primary point of contact for external stakeholders, including property owners, brokers, legal counsel, and government agencies.
10% - Compliance & Risk Management:
Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including zoning laws, building codes, and real estate contracts. Proactively identify and manage risks related to property ownership, leasing, and development activities. Implement strategies to protect the university’s real estate assets and mitigate potential legal or financial liabilities. Research and distribute tax documents, tax maps, and deed information as needed to provide others with accurate and current real estate information.
Required Qualifications
Bachelors degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field and a minimum seven (7) years relevant experience, or, a Masters degree or higher in a relevant area of specialization and minimum five (5) years' relevant experience.
Experience in leasing, development, and property acquisition.
Experience in real estate portfolio and asset management.
Proven experience in negotiating complex leases and development contracts as evidenced by application materials.
Demonstrated analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills with an attention to detail as evidenced by application materials.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills as demonstrated in application materials.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
Preferred Qualifications
Work experience that required advanced analytical skills and experience in real estate financial modeling as evidenced by application materials.
Work experience that required flexibility, strong interpersonal skills, ability to work as part of a team as well as independently, in a rapidly changing work environment as evidenced by application materials.
In-depth knowledge of real estate laws, development processes, and market trends as evidenced by application materials.
Five (5) years of experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
Work experience that required effective engagement with senior leadership and external stakeholders as evidenced by application materials.
Additional Candidate Instructions In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
Resume/CV.
List of three (3) professional references.
Only complete applications will be considered.
Review of applications will begin Tuesday, September 2, 2025 and continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.
Contact Information to Applicants: Heather Blanck; heather.blanck@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range: $150,000
Application Review Begins: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Anticipated Start Date: Monday, October 13, 2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr