The Commercial Leasing & Property Manager is responsible for the management and execution of Lehigh University's commercial real estate portfolio. Will work closely with external and internal University stakeholders to optimize financial and mission-oriented performance. Must be able to organize and prioritize multiple tasks and consistently make effective, high-quality decisions. Must create and support an environment that fosters teamwork, integrity, and service. The Office of Real Estate Services is responsible for the acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and development work for the University. The Lehigh community takes seriously our commitment to antiracism and The Principles of our Equitable Community.

1. Commercial Leasing
*Market University commercial spaces available for rent; show space to potential tenants; identify potential tenants and make strategic connections for both Real Estate Services and the University mission
*Prepare lease proposals for potential tenants including assessing fit-out requirements
*Work with architects, engineers, contractors and city inspectors to prepare spaces for tenant occupancy according to all applicable code requirements; oversee all work
*Work with offices within the University who seeks space elsewhere; review listings, coordinate with brokers and review lease proposals (examples include office space in Washington D.C., residential housing in San Francisco)
*Prepare lease renewals and amendments
*Review all commercial real estate agreements, documents and contracts with the Office of General Counsel to ensure compliance with University strategic plans and procedures, and compliance
*Prepare and support in the negotiation of commercial purchase agreements, lease agreements and other legal transaction documents needed to close transactions
*Prepare and coordinate pre-transaction analysis and due diligence, including financial modeling and pro forma analysis, cost-benefit or return on investment analysis, feasibility analysis, market research, and review of third-party reports such as market demand studies, environmental assessments, appraisals, facility assessment reports, among others
*Consult with Campus Risk Manager to determine appropriate insurance coverage; reviews insurance certificates to ensure that commercial entities have required coverages and endorsements prior to contract execution
*Prepares, drafts, review, amends, issues and administers highly complex contract documents involving leasing, use and occupancy of real property which includes office leases, lab/retail/cafe leases, use permits, easements and other real property use contracts
*Tracks all spaces and uses and supports Clery reporting requirements
*Coordinate all real estate procurements, broker requirement contracts, real estate services requirement contracts, titles, surveys and appraisals
*Ensures all work is completed in a timely manner, recognizing the financial implications of time
*Evaluate existing leases and contracts for potential risks, improvements and compliance with University policies and procedures; report discrepancies to Director of Real Estate and troubleshoot for prompt resolution

2. Financial
*Prepare annual budget for commercial property portfolio
*Verify all operating expenses; coordinate and complete any financial investigations related to payment requests, expense reimbursements, reconciliations, audits and other payment disputes
*Process accounts payable transactions related to managed portfolio
*Support in the development and review of periodic reports on finances and project performance to monitor the health of each asset, project and the portfolio
*Support the Director of Real Estate Services in financial inquiries, forecasting and budgeting
*Steward all University resources, seek optimization across a wide range of metrics; Continuously develop processes and mechanisms to identify opportunities for lease savings

3. General Property Management Issues
*Conduct annual Commercial Facility Condition Assessments on managed properties
*Help to identify and implement sustainability measures, supporting operations & maintenance programs and assisting with securing grant funding if available
*Conduct regular inspections of tenant spaces; ensure compliance with lease terms such as inspections, code compliance and occupancy issues
*Resolve encroachment issues with neighbors and in coordination with General Counsel’s Office
*Assist tenants with maintenance requests, rekeying, signage, vandalism or break-ins, storm damage, etc.
*Coordinate all vendors for regularly scheduled work such as lawn care, regularly scheduled HVAC services, elevator repairs; bid out non-emergency work and service contracts per University Purchasing guidelines
*Resolve Landlord and Tenant disputes
*Align portfolio with university sustainability goals and initiatives

4. File Management
*Organize and maintain historic and digital files related to deeds, transactions, titles, insurance, due diligence, approvals, environmental issues for commercial properties owned by the University
* Respond to inquiries of information from Facilities, General Counsel, Internal audit, etc.
*Maintain inventory of spaces, uses, expiration dates, warranties, deferred maintenance needs and vendors for all managed properties
*Consolidate and/or digitize files related to the Stabler Corporate Center donation

5. General
*Frequently works with politically sensitive and/or confidential material
*Serve as the liaison and main point of contact with University managed Property Owner’s Association (POA) 
*Collaborate and coordinate with other campus contracting offices to review, assess and minimize environmental, business or trademark risks and liabilities in proposed transactions
*Cultivate relationships with community associations, government agencies and neighborhood groups to foster positive working relationships
*Maintains and growing knowledge of zoning and planning codes, with special attention to those affecting University assets and/or its student body
*Support the evaluation, acceptance, management and disposition of commercial real property assets that are donated or bequeathed to the University in the coordination with the Director of Real Estate Services and Development and Alumni Relations
*Lead the development of policies and implementation related to best practices for transactions and management of commercial portfolio
*Makes recommendations on processes, procedures, policies, methodologies and metrics for managing, reviewing, measuring and evaluating project and portfolio performance
*Complete regular market analysis research, including confirming industry real estate trends, for the communities surrounding assigned campuses
*Assist the Director of Real Estate Services in all aspects of managing and leading the functions of the Office Real Estate Services

Grade: 11-40

Position Number:  S97750

Special Considerations

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Kelly Woodbridge, Lehigh's accommodations specialist in HR, at kmp415@lehigh.edu

The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor; employee must be able to adapt to changes in remote status to report to campus to handle urgent issues; meet with tenants or vendors

This position has fiscal or financial responsibilities other than employee expense activity, such as processing or approving transactions; monitoring or preparing budgets; or generating income for University

This position is responsible for driving University-owned vehicles as a routine function, therefore a valid Driver’s License and a good driving record is required

Although infrequent, employee is required to take phone calls and make management level decisions after hours and on weekends

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain or the equivalent combination of education and experience

Five to eight years related work experience

Advanced knowledge of and/or ability to learn contracting principles, practices and organizational requirements and procedures; proficient understanding of lease terminology, calculations, financial terms and principles

Working knowledge of construction terms, building standards and zoning codes

Advanced written, editorial, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; advanced ability to deal with broad and diverse constituencies with advanced customer service orientation and skills

Experience prioritizing projects, meeting deadlines and initiating follow through with meticulous attention to detail and high-level accuracy both individually and in a team setting

Proficient understanding of local, state, and federal real estate laws, as well as current best practices.

Contract and lease negotiation experience, both on behalf of buyer/tenant and seller/landlord

Advanced proficiency in Excel, Word and PowerPoint

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position

All Lehigh faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated and receive a booster shot six months after their second vaccine; unless they receive an approved medical or religious exemption from the requirement.

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety.  Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.

About Lehigh University

Lehigh is a premier residential research university, ranked in the top tier of national research universities each year. We are a coeducational, nondenominational, private university that offers a distinct academic environment of undergraduate and graduate students from across the globe.

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