Real Estate Operations Manager jobs

McMaster University is actively seeking a dynamic and relationship-focused leader to serve as its Director of Real Estate . This is an exciting opportunity to advance strategic real estate initiatives and partnerships that drive institutional growth and support the University's academic and research excellence.

McMaster University

Ranked among the top 150 universities globally, through its cutting-edge research and world-class teaching and learning, McMaster University is a research-intensive, student-centred university dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being in its community and around the world. Known internationally for excellence in teaching, learning, innovation, and creativity, McMaster prepares students to be engaged, thoughtful citizens equipped to make a positive impact. As a member of Canada’s U15 group, McMaster boasts a research income of $423 million and is recognized for pioneering problem-based learning and educational innovation. With six Faculties including Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences, McMaster fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to solve complex global challenges. The University is the only Canadian member of Universitas 21 and is home to McMaster Innovation Park, a leading hub for research, startups, and industry partnerships.

Real Estate and Partnerships Portfolio

McMaster University's Real Estate and Partnerships portfolio is responsible for advancing the institution's strategic real estate interests and cultivating external partnerships that support the University's long-term objectives. The portfolio plays a critical role in identifying, evaluating, and executing real estate opportunities that contribute to financial sustainability, create alternative revenue streams, and strengthen the University's academic and research mission.

Recognizing real estate as a key institutional priority, McMaster established the role of Associate Vice-President, Real Estate and Partnerships in 2026 to provide executive leadership and drive the development of a comprehensive real estate strategy. The portfolio is focused on aligning real estate assets and partnerships with the University's broader strategic goals while maximizing the value of its holdings and development opportunities.

The Position

Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Real Estate and Partnerships, the Director, Real Estate provides leadership for the execution of the University’s real estate strategy and implementation plan, translating institutional priorities into a prioritized pipeline of real estate initiatives, and ensuring successful delivery and performance of the portfolio. The Director leads complex real estate transactions, oversees commercial leasing and asset management activities, coordinates due diligence and governance processes, and provides expert advice on real estate matters to support institutional decision-making.

Working closely with Finance, Facility Services, Legal Services, Procurement, senior University leaders, municipalities, developers, brokers, consultants, and community partners, the Director ensures approved real estate initiatives are effectively implemented while balancing institutional priorities, commercial opportunities, financial stewardship, and risk management.

The Ideal Candidate

Recognizing that no one candidate is likely to meet all of the following qualifications in equal measure, they are desirable and will be used in the assessment of candidates for the position:

• University degree in Business, Commerce, Real Estate, Urban Planning, Law, Finance, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Real Estate, Finance, Urban Planning, or a related discipline is an asset
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in commercial real estate, leasing, development, asset management, or institutional real estate.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex real estate acquisitions, dispositions, leasing negotiations, managing commercial real estate portfolios.
• Experience managing concurrent projects and coordinating complex real estate initiatives.
• Experience preparing executive reports, governance materials, briefing notes, and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Experience working collaboratively with finance professionals to support business case development and financial decision-making.
• Demonstrated success negotiating with developers, municipalities, brokers, consultants, legal counsel, and other external constituents.
• Experience leading professional staff and managing external consultants.
• Experience in a large, complex public sector or post-secondary environment is considered an asset.
• Extensive knowledge of commercial real estate, acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, development processes, and asset management.
• Strong understanding of municipal planning processes, land use planning, commercial agreements, and property legislation.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, partnership management, relationship-building and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated political acuity and sound judgment when managing confidential and high-profile matters, with the ability to build collaborative relationships across academic, administrative, and external groups.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a commitment to continuous improvement, accountability, and service excellence.

How to Apply or Learn More

To learn more about this opportunity, including receiving a copy of the Executive Brief, please contact Katherine Frank at kfrank@kbrs.ca or Lauren Wright at lwright@kbrs.ca .

Applications must be submitted online at http://www.kbrs.ca/Career/17891379034480000008MVb

For full consideration, applications should be submitted by October 16 th . The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications shortly thereafter; however, the position will remain open until filled.

The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $170,000 per year.

McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity, and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. We strive to hire individuals who share our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

At McMaster, we believe that our diversity is integral to and at the core of all that makes us excellent. To grow and nurture our diversity, McMaster is committed to ensuring equal opportunity for all community members to meaningfully engage in the life and work of the university. Employment equity is a key initiative that drives inclusivity in the employment relationship, and is an ongoing process that identifies, addresses, and mitigates barriers in employment policies, practices, and procedures. While all qualified candidates are invited to apply, McMaster particularly welcomes applications from women, persons with disabilities, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of racialized communities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.

Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

McMaster University and KBRS will provide support in the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs to the recruitment professional named in the job description.

The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions.

Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.