Real Estate Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

At Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI), we are dedicated to providing our customers with friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services and products. Our retail division, Community Bank, N.A., operates more than 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Beyond retail banking, we also offer commercial banking, wealth management, investment management, insurance and risk management, and benefit plan administration.

Just as our employees are committed to helping our customers manage their finances, we’re committed to our employees. After all, they make it happen for our customers every day.

To ensure our people can enjoy long and successful careers here at CFSI, we offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, we celebrate and support a diverse workplace for the benefit of all: our employees, customers and communities.

Responsibilities

The Real Estate Manager is responsible for managing the lifecycle bank's physical real estate portfolio, including branch locations, administrative offices, and other owned or leased properties. This role focuses on optimizing corporate space, reducing real estate costs, and executing property deals to support the bank’s overall business strategy.

Essential Duties:

• Manage the Bank's real estate portfolio, including branch and office locations, to support business and operational objectives.
• Coordinate real estate transactions, including new leases, renewals, expansions, relocations, lease terminations, buyouts, and property dispositions.
• Partner with business leaders, Legal, Finance, Facilities, and external service providers to ensure real estate decisions align with strategic, operational, and financial goals.
• Negotiate and administer lease agreements and maintain relationships with landlords, brokers, consultants, and attorneys.
• Maintain accurate real estate records and track lease critical dates, including renewals, notices, and option periods, to ensure compliance and avoid financial risk.
• Prepare financial analyses, business cases, and transaction summaries to support management review and approval of real estate projects.
• Coordinate annual real estate tax assessments and appeals with third-party consultants.
• Manage lease compliance matters and work with outside legal counsel to address landlord-tenant issues and other real estate-related concerns.
• Monitor occupancy costs and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce expenses, and optimize the Bank's real estate footprint.
• Support long-term real estate planning, including growth, consolidation, and acquisition initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, policies, contracts, and real estate agreements.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
• Maintain proficient knowledge of, and demonstrate ongoing compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to this position, ensure ongoing adherence to policies, procedures, and internal controls, and meet all training requirements in a timely manner
• All applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Ancillary/Secondary Duties:

• As requested by manager or necessary to obtain necessary business goals and objectives.

Qualifications

Education

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Facilities Management, or a related field required.

Experience

• 5–7 years of experience in commercial real estate, corporate real estate, banking real estate, facilities management, or related disciplines.
• Knowledge of property management, construction, and facility operations preferred.

Additional Skills:

• Strong understanding of commercial real estate principles, lease administration, and market analysis.
• Knowledge of banking operations and regulatory considerations impacting real estate decisions.
• Excellent financial and analytical skills.
• Strong negotiation and contract management capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and real estate portfolio management systems.
• Must be flexible with schedule and able to regularly lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.