Account Director

Cushman & Wakefield; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 157,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement savings plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Flexible spending accounts / health-s�

Paid time off

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking an Account Director to lead global occupier accounts and align real estate strategy with client business goals. You will drive portfolio optimization, oversee multiple high‑level transactions, and manage executive client relationships from Chicago to global markets.

The role emphasizes strategy development, governance, and data‑driven decision making, with a focus on delivering value through cost savings and enhanced client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Experience leading global occupier accounts in real estate services.
• Ability to translate client business goals into actionable real estate strategies.
• Strong relationship management with executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior point of contact for global portfolio clients.
• Build and maintain long-term executive relationships across client stakeholders.
• Lead regular strategy, performance, and governance meetings.
• Translate client business goals into actionable real estate strategies.
• Drive portfolio optimization, cost savings, and location strategy initiatives.
• Generate insights from reporting and client feedback to advise on lease restructures, consolidations, and markets.
• Manage project activation and timing for strategy development.
• Oversee active transactions to ensure smooth execution.
• Lead complex assignments including HQ, rooftop consolidation, sale-leaseback and build-to-suit.
• Coordinate resources for account and project success (Strategic Consulting, Project & Development Services, etc.).
• Coordinate field broker selection and commission discussions.
• Develop PowerBI dashboards and reporting tools.
• Develop financial analyses for lease transactions and other structures.
• Coordinate client site visits and market tours.
• Ensure compliance with state real estate standards.
• Assist in managing client rebate accounts and related costs.
• Develop and host quarterly business reviews (QBRs).
• Identify, execute and measure cost savings and value creation initiatives.

Skills

Client leadership

Relationship management

Strategy development

Executive communication

PowerBI dashboards

Tools

PowerBI

Job description

Job Title

Account Director

Job Description Summary

The Account Director is responsible for leading multiple strategic global occupier accounts, delivering integrated real estate services across transaction management, portfolio strategy, and account governance. This individual serves as the primary client relationship leader, aligning real estate strategy with broader business objectives, while driving portfolio optimization, revenue growth, and client satisfaction.

Job Description

Client Leadership & Relationship Management

• Serve as the senior point of contact for global portfolio clients


• Build and maintain long-term executive relationships across client stakeholders


• Lead regular strategy, performance, and governance meetings


• Translate client business goals into actionable real estate strategies

Portfolio Strategy & Transaction Oversight

• Drive portfolio optimization, cost savings, and location strategy initiatives


• Generate insights from reporting and client feedback to establish strategy and make proactive recommendations (i.e. early lease restructure, consolidation opportunity, capital markets activity)


• Manage project activation including timing for kick off, project specific strategy development


• Oversee dozens of ongoing active transactions to ensure smooth execution from Transaction Manager(s).


• Lead complex assignments including Corporate HQ, rooftop consolidation, sale-leaseback and build-to-suit transactions.


• Integrate appropriate resources for account and project success including Strategic Consulting, Project & Development Services, Business Incentives, Labor/Location Strategy and Corporate Capital Markets.

Account Management

• Coordinate field broker selection process and commission split negotiations


• Assist with determining client needs and communicating project parameters


• Coordinate negotiations and management of transactions


• Coordinate legal review of all clients leased/owned documents


• Work with brokerage team financial analyst to develop PowerBI dashboards and reporting tools


• Develop and ensure accuracy of financial analysis for lease transactions, sale-leasebacks, subleases, lease vs. buy analysis.


• Coordinate client site visits/market tours


• Ensure all State real estate standards are met


• Assist in the management of client rebate accounts and additional C&W services cost balances above Transaction Management


• Develop and host quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with clients


• Identify execute and measure cost savings and value creation initiatives

Account Governance & Service Delivery

• Establish and manage account governance framework and KPIs, develop and host client Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs)


• Ensure delivery of best-in-class service across all service lines


• Oversee contract compliance, reporting, and performance tracking


• Implement continuous improvement initiatives and data-driven decision making


• Coordinate with internal groups: brokerage, capital markets, workplace strategy, finance, legal, incentives, etc.


• Drive collaboration across regions for consistent global execution

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.

The compensation for the position is: $ 170,000.00 - $200,000.00

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [e-mail]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”