Head of Real Estate

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for the role, Head of Real Estate.

Executive Search Summary

Head of Real Estate sought by a private investment company/family office to lead acquisitions, dispositions, asset management, development oversight, and platform growth. Ideal candidates will bring a blend of transaction expertise, operational leadership, development experience, and an owner/operator mindset, coupled with the ability to build a scalable real estate organization in a highly entrepreneurial environment.

Position Summary

The Head of Real Estate will lead all aspects of the organization's real estate activities, including acquisitions, dispositions, asset management, development, property operations oversight, and organizational development. The role requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands‑on leadership, with an emphasis on building scalable processes, executing transactions, and delivering long‑term portfolio performance.

Key Responsibilities

Acquisitions & Dispositions

• Lead sourcing, evaluation, acquisition, and disposition of real estate assets.
• Manage transaction execution, due diligence, and closing processes.
• Oversee portfolio repositioning initiatives and 1031 exchange transactions.
• Develop recommendations regarding capital deployment and portfolio optimization.

Asset Management & Operations

• Oversee third‑party and internal property management resources.
• Drive operational improvements across commercial and residential assets.
• Monitor asset performance and implement value‑enhancing initiatives.
• Manage relationships with vendors, contractors, consultants, and service providers.
• Oversee development and redevelopment projects from planning through execution.
• Coordinate with architects, contractors, consultants, and external stakeholders.
• Support the identification and execution of new development opportunities.
• Partner with leadership to define and execute real estate strategy.
• Build systems, processes, and reporting capabilities to support a growing platform.
• Establish organizational structure and create scalable operating practices.
• Lead future team development and hiring efforts as the platform expands.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial real estate executive with experience across acquisitions, asset management, development, and operations. This individual should possess an owner/operator mindset and be comfortable working in a dynamic, growth‑oriented private investment environment.

Successful candidates will typically bring:

• Experience acquiring and disposing of commercial real estate assets.
• Knowledge of asset management and property operations.
• Development or redevelopment experience.
• Exposure to multiple asset classes, particularly office, retail, and other commercial property types.
• Experience building teams, systems, and organizational capabilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with ownership, executives, operators, and external partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in real estate acquisitions, development, asset management, property operations, brokerage, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Finance, Construction Management, Business, or a related discipline.
• Experience with commercial real estate financial analysis and reporting tools.
• Advanced degree, industry designation, or professional certifications are valued but not required.

Leadership Characteristics

The successful candidate will be:

• Entrepreneurial and adaptable.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and fast‑paced environments.
• Collaborative and relationship‑oriented.
• Hands‑on and solutions‑focused.
• Humble, pragmatic, and low‑ego.
• Effective at translating ownership's vision into execution.
• Excited by building and scaling a platform rather than maintaining a mature organization.

Travel

Occasional travel to portfolio assets and project sites will be required.