Scientific Service Director

CBRE; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

CBRE is seeking a Scientific Services Director to define the technical strategy and guide the market positioning of CBRE Scientific Solutions. You will lead the technical authority for laboratory services, supporting growth through client engagement, innovation, and thought leadership.

This role transitions to an SME-led model, requiring deep SME expertise and governance across global offerings, with the ability to drive cross-functional collaboration and industry leadership from Milwaukee, WI.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Experience in staffing, training, mentoring, measuring performance and retention.
• Ability to lead exchanges of sensitive information and set performance expectations.
• Leadership to drive targets across multiple departments.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the global strategy for Scientific Solutions offerings.
• Act as chief architect of the Scientific Solutions portfolio and governance.
• Provide expert advisory support on client engagements and RFPs.
• Translate technical capabilities into scalable, commercially viable solutions.
• Represent CBRE at industry events and publish thought leadership content.

Skills

Leadership

Staffing

Communication

MS Office

Organizational skills

Advanced math

Laboratory management

RFP processes

SME / technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About The Role

The Scientific Services Director serves as the senior Subject Matter Expert (SME) for CBRE Scientific Solutions, responsible for defining and guiding the technical strategy, service offerings, and market positioning of the organization.

This role acts as the technical authority for laboratory services, supporting business growth through client engagement, innovation, and thought leadership. The role transitions from a traditional line-management structure to a strategic SME-led model.

What You’ll Do

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and drive the global strategy for Scientific Solutions service offerings
• Act as the chief architect of the Scientific Solutions portfolio
• Identify emerging trends and translate into new service capabilities
• Ensure integration of technology, data, and service delivery models

Subject Matter Expertise & Governance

• Serve as the senior SME for laboratory operations and instrumentation
• Establish and maintain technical standards and best practices
• Provide technical governance and assurance on complex solutions
• Support development of data standards and asset classification frameworks

Client Engagement & Commercial Support

• Lead technical input into strategic RFPs and client pursuits
• Partner with Sales and Solutions teams to develop scalable offerings
• Provide expert advisory support on key client engagements
• Translate technical capability into commercially viable solutions

Industry Leadership & Thought Leadership

• Represent CBRE at industry conferences and events
• Publish technical papers and thought leadership content
• Build external industry network
• Position CBRE as a market leader in laboratory services

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor's Degree preferred with 8-12 years of relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, a combination of experience and education will be considered.
• Experience in the areas of staffing, selection, training, development, coaching, mentoring, measuring, appraising, and rewarding performance and retention is preferred. Ability to lead the exchange of sensitive, complicated, and difficult information, convey performance expectations, and handle problems.
• Leadership skills to set, manage and achieve targets with a direct impact on multiple departments results within a function.
• In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Office products. Examples include Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
• Expert organizational skills and an advanced inquisitive mindset.
• Sophisticated math skills. Ability to calculate mildly complex figures such as percentages, fractions, and other financial-related calculations.
• Expertise in laboratory management and asset lifecycle management
• Experience in regulated environments and RFP processes
• Proven SME or technical leadership experience

Why CBRE?

When you join CBRE, you become part of the global leader in commercial real estate services and investment that helps businesses and people thrive. We are dynamic problem solvers and forward-thinking professionals who create significant impact. Our collaborative culture is built on our shared values — respect, integrity, service and excellence — and we value the diverse perspectives, backgrounds and skillsets of our people. At CBRE, you have the opportunity to chart your own course and realize your potential. We welcome all applicants.

Applicant AI Use Disclosure

We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills, and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI in the application and interview process.

Disclaimers: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

CBRE carefully considers multiple factors to determine compensation, including a candidate’s education, training, and experience. The minimum salary for the LIS Director is $180,000 annually and the maximum salary for the LIS Director position is $220,000 annually. The compensation that is offered to a successful candidate will depend on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity: CBRE is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We have a long-standing commitment to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, veteran status, political belief, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Candidate Accommodations: CBRE values the differences of all current and prospective employees and recognizes how every employee contributes to our company’s success. CBRE provides reasonable accommodations in job application procedures for individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request via email at [e-mail] or via telephone at [phone] (U.S.) and [phone] (Canada).