Real Estate Consultant (Hybrid)

Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC is seeking a Field Real Estate professional to collaborate directly with Managing Partners and Directors to craft a comprehensive real estate strategy. You will analyze options, negotiate with landlords, and coordinate with consultants to align space with financial and operational goals.

The role requires 5–10 years in commercial lease transactions, strong financial modeling, and excellent stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–10 years of experience in commercial office lease transactions.
• Strong analytical skills to translate business problems into decisions.
• Proven ability to build rapport and gain stakeholder buy-in.
• Excellent written and oral communication of complex information.
• Strong financial analysis and modeling using spreadsheet tools.
• Ability to operate in a matrix environment and handle ambiguity.
• Experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced setting.
• Negotiation experience and knowledge of contract structures.

Responsibilities

• Assess office needs and develop comprehensive real estate plans balancing growth with financial & operational considerations.
• Independently solve complex real estate problems and identify solutions.
• Explain financial/real estate concepts to gain buy-in for NM growth strategy.
• Present analyses and due diligence memos to secure internal approvals.
• Maximize profitability through site selection based on network office financials.
• Determine space needs under growth scenarios and analyze market alternatives.
• Assist in negotiating Letters of Intent and lease documents.
• Design efficient, cost-effective office layouts aligned with field operations.
• Conduct site visits to understand leadership goals and the local market.
• Interact with third parties to efficiently complete lease transactions.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Client Engagement & Influence

Collaborative Partnership & Planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or real estate

Job description

About the Job:

Working directly with Managing Partners, this position assists Northwestern Mutual's Field Offices in developing and executing on a comprehensive real estate strategy balancing growth with financial and operational considerations. This highly visible role supports an office by analyzing its options using a combination of both financial and operational planning. Assessments include determining the appropriate amount of space to target, the overall cost of the transaction, how the space impacts an office's financials, and the desired layout given operational considerations. An individual in this role works in close partnership with various internal and external stakeholders to determine the recommended course of action. In addition to developing the strategy with the office and analyzing its options, the role assists in directly negotiating the transaction with the Landlord and coordinating among various consultants. Strong listening, communication, negotiation, and influencing skills in communicating complex real estate and financial structures are essential in this role. An individual must also have the ability to develop trust and strong relationships while independently handing multiple projects simultaneously.

What You'll Do:

Field Real Estate

• Working directly with Managing Partners and Managing Directors, assess and identify needs of an office and develop comprehensive real estate plans balancing growth with financial and operational considerations.
• Independently solve complex real estate problems and identify solutions.
• Explain difficult financial and real estate concepts and persuade others to work within Company best practices and growth strategy.
• Presentation of analyses and due diligence memorandums to secure internal approval of recommended real estate solution by senior function leadership.
• Maximize agency profitability through the effective selection of the site location based on the understanding of the financial capacity of the Network Office both in terms of leverage and cash flow.
• Determination of recommended space needs under a variety of growth scenarios and analyzing alternatives available in the market.
• Assists office with negotiation of Letters of Intent and the various lease documents.
• Requires understanding Field's operational practices to assist in the design of efficient and cost-effective office space layouts.
• Conduct site visits to gain an understanding of MP's/MD's goals and the local market.
• Interact effectively with various third parties to efficiently complete each lease transaction.
• Other responsibilities may be assumed as needed.

What You'll Bring to the Role:

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or real estate.
• Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in commercial office lease transactions.
• Strong analytical skills with the proven ability to analyze business problems and make decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and acceptance amongst stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to articulate complex technical or financial information to various audiences to gain common understanding.
• Strong experience in performing financial analysis and modeling and using spreadsheet tools.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in a matrix environment and to deal with ambiguity and paradox.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and carry out diverse assignments in a fast-paced environment.
• Negotiation experience.
• Experience working with Northwestern Mutual's Field Management with knowledge of contract structure and financial programs desired.
• Office design experience.
• This is a Hybrid role with 3 days in the office.

Skills You Have:

• Analytical Thinking - Organizes and compares various aspects of a situation to comprehend and identify key or underlying complex issues through the use of quantitative data and analysis; leverages strong business acumen, problem solving, and interpersonal skills to think critically about situations from multiple perspectives and consistently seeks ways to improve processes.
• Client Engagement & Influence - Possesses the ability to engage, negotiate, and influence clients effectively, synthesizing complex information and executing challenges and opportunities.
• Collaborative Partnership & Planning - Facilitates collaboration, communication, coordination, and planning among individuals and teams with diverse expertise; documents aligned priorities, responsibilities, and shared outcomes.

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:

$81,280.00

Pay Range - End:

$121,920.00

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110:

$89,440.00 USD - $134,160.00 USD

Structure 115:

$93,440.00 USD - $140,160.00 USD

We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.

Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.

Skills

Prioritization (NM), Analytical Thinking (NM), Emotional Intelligence (NM), Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM), Collaborative Partnership & Planning (NM), Client Engagement & Influence (NM), Root Cause Analysis (NM), Adaptive Communication (NM), Interpersonal & Organizational Effectiveness (NM), Customer Centricity (NM), Space Planning (NM), Field Advocacy (NM), Consulting (NM)