Job Description

Real Estate Manager (0551U) 85771

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles , Principles of Community , and Strategic Plan .

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

Capital Strategies (CS) is a professional business unit within the office of the Vice Chancellor of Administration (VCA) that delivers planning, project management, and real estate services on the Berkeley campus and in the broader Bay Area of northern California on behalf of the University of California. CS has overall responsibility for managing a program that optimizes the utilization of its off-campus real estate assets to further the facilities goals and financial objectives of the Berkeley Campus. CS also plans and develops capital projects to support the campus' academic mission and auxiliary functions. CS develops plans, policies, procedures, and standards for the delivery of planning, project development, design, and construction, and real estate services within VCA and for the broader campus. The office manages capital planning, physical planning, development, design, construction, and real estate sales, purchases, joint ventures, leases, and development opportunities on behalf of the campus.

The CS Real Estate team purchases and leases real property on behalf of UC Berkeley and manages a property portfolio totaling over 750,000 [SB1.1] square feet. Where appropriate, they oversee the development of UC-owned property via third-party developers, or by donors who wish to complete and gift facility improvements to the campus. Our Real Estate team is also responsible for managing all real property transactions involving the campus and other parties, including leases, licenses, entry permits, facility-use permits, easements, and other agreements, as applicable.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is May 6, 2026

Responsibilities

General:

• Serves as the campus expert in reviewing, evaluating, and implementing campus contract agreements within a highly specialized subject matter area.
• Reviews and approves contracts, ensuring correct and appropriate financial terms, usage restrictions and procedures, service terms, campus liability, and conformance with campus policies and legal guidelines.
• Ensures variations from contract standards are granted on a risk assessment basis.
• Real Estate Services Manager has primary accountability for leasing off-campus properties for campus units on an ongoing basis.
• Lease portfolio includes over 90 Regents as Tenant leases and approximately 20 Regents as Landlord leases totaling over $8.5 million in annual income [SB2.1] support the real estate portfolio and to the campus.
• Current Delegation of Authority allows the Manager to sign leases on behalf of The Regents with a base annual rent that does not exceed $2,000,000 for the initial year and with a term, including options, of not more than ten years.
• Maintains current knowledge of the Berkeley and East Bay real estate market.

New Leases:

• Leasing decisions require significant participation and interaction with Space Management & Capital Programs, Physical & Environmental Planning, Capital Projects, Information Services and Technology, Environment, Health & Safety, Budget Office and Accounting, Office of the President and General Counsel, as required to negotiate leases with landlords after appropriate sites are identified.
• Manager must assure that sites meet department's needs; are in compliance with all applicable policies, procedures and laws; minimize costs; protect the University from unnecessary liability; and take advantage of UC's position in the local market.

Lease Renewals:

• Negotiates lease renewals as required and evaluates whether remaining at the current location is the best alternative for the department and whether any available space under University control could be utilized.
• Assures that leases comply with all applicable policies, even if those policies were not in place when the original lease was negotiated.

Portfolio Management:

• Provides leadership and expertise regarding property management of real estate portfolio, negotiation strategies, industry practices, relevant law, application of campus policies and contract issues.
• Collaborates with applicable parties on competitive bidding and information requests related to asset management of real estate portfolio.
• Develops and promotes policies, standards, practices, procedures, templates, and other essentials of an effective and strategic asset management process.
• Provides leadership and expertise for all property management of buildings purchased by the campus, either directly or through 3rd party property management agreements. Oversees monthly income and expenses, and the preparation of monthly management reports tracking actual vs. budgeted financials.
• Negotiates new leases and lease renewals for non-UC tenants, and works closely with appropriate campus departments for relocation of UC departments to newly acquired buildings.

Other Responsibilities:

• The current portfolio consists of seven properties with an annual income of over $17 million (including campus departments paying internal rent) and annual expenses of over $15 million (including debt service).
• Supervises Real Estate Officer 2/3 who handles leasing, facility use permits, real estate use licenses, including appropriate coordination with Risk Management, Office of Legal Affairs, and Office of the President
• Supervises Financial Services Analyst 4, who handles all finance and budget matters and real estate property tax exemption collections for the real estate portfolio.
• Reviews and approves annual budget, monthly budget reports, and provides appropriate management support.

Surge Space:

• Works closely with Space Management and Physical and Environmental Planning on possible surge requirements resulting from campus construction projects.
• Manager has primary accountability for leasing campus owned space to non-UC entities when requested by campus departments having excess space.
• Works with the requesting department and appropriate campus departments and/or committees to determine the appropriate tenant for the space, hires brokers, evaluates potential tenants, negotiates the terms and conditions of the agreement, obtains required approvals, and ensures a smooth transition and occupancy.

Required Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of and skills in business transactions in a complex legal and policy environment.
• Expert written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including expert ability to deal with broad and diverse constituencies using expert customer service orientation and skills.
• Expert organizational, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Expert listening and political acumen skills, and problem recognition, avoidance, and resolution skills.
• Frequent original thinking, involving innovative application of policy and situational solutions, due to the highly unique nature of each real estate requirement and transaction.
• Expert technical knowledge and expertise in a particular subject matter area, such as real estate.
• Ability to obtain, understand, and utilize to the University's advantage current real estate market conditions in Berkeley and in any other location where the campus wishes to lease space.
• Expert knowledge and experience in negotiating and documenting real estate leases, including drafting language that incorporates recommended language from the Office of the President and proposed language from outside landlords, tenants, their brokers, and/or attorneys, and resolving conflicts between them. No other position on campus has this level of specialized expertise.
• Advanced managerial knowledge and skills to direct activities of 2 FTE with widely varied responsibilities, so that the department runs efficiently and strives for continuous improvement.
• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of contracting principles and practices, methods and procedures used in competitive procurement, including value analysis and source selection techniques, applicable rules, regulations, laws, policies, guidelines, and practices.
• Expert knowledge of or ability to quickly learn the campus, including its infrastructure, goals, mission, rules, policies, guidelines, etc.
• Expert knowledge of or ability to quickly learn Regents policies and applicable laws regarding leasing space, including Americans with Disabilities Act, Regents Policy on Seismic Safety, and appropriate signing authorities for campus, Office of the President, and The Regents, and ability to advise campus accordingly.
• Expert knowledge (or comparable knowledge/skill) of the East Bay commercial real estate market in sectors in which UCB is active, including but not limited to office, retail, warehouse, and wet/dry lab spaces.

Salary & Benefits

This is a full-time, 3-year contract position with the possibility for extension.

This position is eligible for full UC benefits. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $145,000 - $230,000. This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.

Other Information

This position may be eligible for a hybrid/remote work arrangement up to 40%. Regular on-site presence may be required on short notice to address operational needs. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.

This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct Disclosure

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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Job Tags

Full time, Contract work, H1b, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Relocation

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