Assistant Vice President, Real Estate

George Washington University

Washington (District of Columbia)

Hybrid

USD 180,000 - 220,000

Full time

17 hours ago

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Job summary

The George Washington University seeks an Assistant Vice President of Real Estate to lead the Office of Real Estate and oversee GWU's real estate portfolio and assets. The AVP will provide strategic stewardship, lead investment and asset management activities, and partner with key stakeholders to advance the university’s real estate goals.

Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree with 10 years of relevant experience and at least 2 years in senior leadership roles; a Master’s degree is

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree plus 10 years of relevant professional experience, with 2+ years in senior leadership roles.
Experience managing large real estate portfolios in a university or similar environment.
Strong financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and contract negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the real estate team and oversee investment strategies.
Oversee lease operations, asset management, and portfolio administration.
Negotiate leases, ground leases, and use agreements; coordinate with stakeholders and leadership.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic planning

Financial modeling

Negotiation

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, real estate, higher education or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
In the heart of the nation’s capital with additional programs in Virginia, the George Washington University (GW) was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. The University offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study, as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate and professional students. As one of the largest private employers in the District of Columbia, the University seeks employees who support the teaching, research, and public service mission of the University.
DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Campus Development, the Assistant Vice President of Real Estate leads the Office of Real Estate, and oversees the University’s real estate portfolio and assets. Additionally, this position plays a vital role in supporting GW’s commitment to excellence by promoting and shaping a culture of integrity with the highest standards.
The AVP will provide leadership and strategic stewardship of the University’s portfolio of real estate.
The AVP will serve as a leader within the Division of Safety and Operations ( DSO ) and engage in strategic planning and initiatives at a division and University-wide level.
With respect to the Real Estate Investment role, areas of responsibility will include:

Lead and manage the real estate team including the oversight of real estate investment strategies;
Oversight of the execution of key strategic initiatives and transactional work related to the investment real estate assets;
Lead the negotiation of all contracts related to the acquisition or disposition of real estate;
Oversight of ground lease negotiations and administration, joint-venture partnership for future developments, commercialization, property valuation efforts, and implement any of the university’s goals that involve real estate strategic partnerships;
Collaborate closely with the Chief Investment Officer of the University’s Endowment and other key stakeholders;
Stay abreast of and analyze macro and micro market trends, industry research and supply/demand fundamentals with the objective of enabling the University to make effective and analytically driven real estate investment decisions;
Create and review complex financial models to forecast leveraged cash flows, development economics and investment performance;
Identify, evaluate and mitigate risk factors, and develop negotiation strategies for potential and existing real estate investments;
Make recommendations to improve real estate investment performance and;
Asset Management of Investment Properties including financial and property management reporting, processing and performance analysis.

With respect to Institutional Real Estate, areas of responsibility will include:

Lead and manage the real estate team in all aspects of the lease operations and real estate portfolio administration;
Asset Management of Owned Properties;
Oversight of the University leases with third parties, retail leases, residential leases and rooftop leases;
Lead negotiation of all leases and use agreements for space as either a landlord or a tenant;
Cultivate and maintain relationships with community groups, stakeholders and relevant institutions to assess issues of local concern (e.g., traffic, employment opportunities);
Ensure compliance with existing federal, district and university financial policies and procedures;
Ensure accurate financial modeling, budgeting and forecasting and;
Asset Management of institutional properties including financial and property management reporting, processing and performance analysis.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as deemed necessary.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

For the purposes of management, performance assessment, and span of control the AVP , Real Estate position directly supervises:

Senior Property Manager

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 10 years of relevant professional experience, Master’s degree, or higher, in a relevant area of study preferred. Relevant experience must include at least 2 years of senior leadership/executive level experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 10 years of relevant experience, including at least 8 years of management experience. Candidates should have a sound knowledge and familiarity with large residential urban campuses in the higher education arena. Experience in higher education real estate is preferred, as is a collaborative and consultative style appropriate for working effectively through a complex organization.

Education: Undergraduate degree in business, real estate, higher education or related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate is a proven leader with a demonstrated track record of integrity and success in prior roles with the ability to apply sound judgement.

Other desired qualifications include:

Knowledge of real estate investment and portfolio management.
Knowledge of financial budgeting and forecasting.
Communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collegially with all levels of the organization toward common objectives.
Demonstrated ability to advise University leaders and Board of Trustees.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

This position requires an individual with the following characteristics:

Commitment to GW’s values;
Intellectual, professional and a person of integrity;
Honest, with the highest ethical standards;
Passionate, collaborative, strategic, and smart with a hands‑on, roll‑up‑the‑sleeves orientation;
Ability to work independently. Self-starter; hard worker. Takes initiative; very high energy;
Personally accountable. Assumes ownership, control and accountability for all areas of responsibility and commitments made to others;
Sincere, open, and direct communicator. Puts organizational interests above self-interest and is comfortable expressing candid opinions;
Highest levels of responsiveness;
Combination of strong intellect that is combined with a practical and realistic common sense understanding of how to get things done;
Ability to demonstrate initiative, a strong desire to succeed and exert the extraordinary effort often required;
Ability to work in a fast‑paced, high‑growth, entrepreneurial environment;
Ability to work with faculty and staff in a respectful way;
Establish trust and credibility with institutional leadership and across the University;
Seeks “win‑win” solutions to help foster continued integration and collaboration;
Flexible and receptive to change; and

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE , SKILLS , AND ATTITUDE

Sensitivity for and understanding of academic disciplines and issues;
Ability to work with faculty, staff, and professionals in multiple settings and locations and to promote diversity in the workplace;
Appreciation for the data that will be required to make meaningful management decisions;
Comfort with loose, matrix organizational structures; and Recognition that being effective and results‑oriented is paramount.

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well‑being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

JOB DETAILS

Campus Location:

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department:

College/School/Department: Division of Safety and Operation

Family

Family Safety and Facilities

Sub-Family

Stream

Stream Executive

Level

Level Level 1

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule:

Work Schedule: Mon- Fri

Will this job require the employee to work on site?

Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes

Employee Onsite Status

Employee Onsite Status Hybrid

Telework:

Telework: Yes

Required Background Check:

Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only?

Internal Applicants Only? No

Posting Number:

Posting Number: S014549

Job Open Date:

Job Open Date: 11/05/2026

Job Close Date:

If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:

Background Screening Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement:

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* Are you currently employed with The George Washington University?
- No
- Yes
* For current GW employees, have you completed your Introductory Employment Period (IEP)? (As a reminder,employees in their IEP are not eligible to apply for other internal university staff and research positions until the IEP is complete.)
- Yes, IEP complete
- No, still in IEP
- N/a - not a current GW employee
* What is your expected salary range?
(Open Ended Question)

Documents needed to Apply

Required Documents