Director of Real Estate

Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

McMaster University is seeking a dynamic Director of Real Estate to lead the Real Estate and Partnerships portfolio and translate institutional priorities into a prioritized pipeline of initiatives. You will ensure delivery and performance across the portfolio, driving strategic opportunities and partnerships.

Reporting to the Associate Vice‑President, Real Estate and Partnerships, you will lead complex real estate transactions, oversee leasing and asset management, coordinate due diligence, and

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in commercial real estate.
• Experience leading complex real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and leasing negotiations.
• Experience managing external consultants and coordinating complex initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of the University’s real estate strategy and portfolio delivery.
• Oversee commercial leasing, asset management, due diligence, and governance.
• Advise senior leadership on strategic real estate decisions and risk management.
• Collaborate with finance, facilities, legal, procurement, and external partners.

Skills

Real estate leadership

Portfolio management

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Real Estate/Urban Planning

MBA or related discipline asset

Job description

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.

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

• 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.

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 [e-mail] or communicate your needs to the recruitment professional named in the job description.

Please note that this posting is for a new position at McMaster University.