Associate Vice President, Real Estate Services

Associate Vice President, Real Estate Services

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title
Associate Vice President, Real Estate Services

Job Profile Title
Director F, Facilities

Job Description Summary
The University of Pennsylvania's Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES) works with Penn's Schools and Centers to support the University's physical infrastructure across approximately 299 acres, 189 buildings, and 15 million square feet in University City. With approximately 1,000 employees, a $195-million operating budget, and an annual capital budget between $350 and $400 million, FRES works hard to provide valuable services to the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and vendors of Penn. Under the direction of the Senior Vice President, the Division provides the expertise, business processes, policies and standards required to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain and renew the physical assets of the University. FRES is comprised of the following departments: Finance and Administration, Office of the University Architect, Design and Construction, Real Estate Services, Operations and Maintenance.

Job Description

The Real Estate Services Department

Working in conjunction with other FRES departments, the Real Estate Services department implements urban land development and planning that improves the quality of life for Penn and its surrounding community. To support the research and academic mission and to enhance campus life, the Real Estate Services department is responsible for the strategic planning, management, and operation of the non-academic property for the University, including Pennovation Works. The primary units within the Department are Development, Portfolio Management (Penn Office and Third-Party Leasing), Operations, Project Management, Finance, and Pennovation Works. Additional responsibilities include acquisition and disposition of assets, retail, development partnerships in residential, mixed-use, and office, and facilities management of Fraternities and Sororities. The Real Estate Services department's activities also support the objectives outlined in Penn's Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 4.0.

The Role:
Reporting to the Senior VP, the AVP of Real Estate Services is a strategic and operational leader responsible for Penn's off-campus and third-party real estate portfolio. The AVP a team of ~19, including directors across portfolio management, development, operations, finance, project management and Pennovation Works.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Develops strategies for the off-campus residential, commercial, Fraternity and Sorority housing, development and retail portfolios, and manages their performance
• Oversees and manages retail master plan
• Attracts development capital for mixed-use, housing, and life science research facility development
• Oversee the operations of off-campus residential, commercial, and Fraternity and Sorority Housing portfolios, as well as annual operating and capital budget preparation
• Provides strategic oversight and management of Pennovation Works, an innovation district with over 200,000 square feet under management
• Supports the planning, design and construction of projects ranging from small tenant improvement projects to large-scale development
• Administers the third-party leasing portfolios of Schools, Centers and property managers; researches, negotiates, and executes leases on behalf of Penn Schools and Centers
• Manages acquisition and disposition of property on behalf of the University
• Works with the University and surrounding community to enhance the environment and to increase economic development
• Strategize and oversee performance of residential, commercial, retail, and Greek housing assets
• Lead operations, leasing, and capital budgets; negotiate leases and manage ground leases
• Direct Pennovation Works' 23-acre innovation campus with growth plans to 2M sq ft
• Drive development partnerships and sustainability initiatives
• Represent FRES to senior leadership, community, and external partners
• Mentors and develops staff.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• 12+ years of real estate leadership in higher ed, healthcare, or complex urban settings
• Proven expertise in acquisitions, development, asset management, and financial analysis
• Strategic, operational, and emotionally intelligent leader with strong negotiation skills
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and team-building abilities
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in real estate or business preferred
• Knowledge of Philadelphia's real estate market is a plus

Compensation:
Includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits, retirement plans, and wellness resources.

For full job description and to Apply:
Contact Andrew C. Wheeler, Lincoln Leadership (awheeler@lincolnleadership.co / 267-257-1910). Best consideration by June 15, 2025.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Facilities and Real Estate Services

Pay Range
$129,695.00 - $310,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay


Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Left-Bank-Facilites--Real-Estate-Services/AVP-Real-Estate_JR00106230









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