Real Estate Manager / Facilities Manager

Real Estate Manager / Facilities Manager
Chicago, IL
$125,000+ /yr

OVERVIEW

Strategic Real Estate Manager responsible for lease administration, facilities operations, and portfolio optimization across 270+ locations. This role partners closely with Legal, Operations, Finance, and external vendors to drive cost savings, manage risk, and improve efficiency across a large warehousing and service facility footprint.

While based in Chicago, IL, we are open to candidates in other U.S. markets depending on experience, with periodic travel required to key facilities and headquarters as needed.

This is a high-ownership, strategic position with clear growth potential into broader real estate leadership responsibilities as the organization scales.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Manage lease administration across a large multi-state portfolio of warehouse and service facilities
• Track critical lease dates, renewals, obligations, and compliance using lease management systems
• Partner with Legal, brokers, and internal stakeholders on lease negotiations and renewals
• Identify and execute opportunities for facility co-location and footprint optimization
• Lead vendor management and cost reduction initiatives across utilities, HVAC, waste, MRO, and facility services
• Negotiate regional and national vendor contracts to leverage purchasing scale
• Support facility maintenance issues, including HQ operations in Addison, IL
• Collaborate with Operations and Finance on space planning and cost efficiency strategies

WHY YOU MATTER

• You directly impact enterprise-wide cost structure across 270+ locations
• Your decisions influence lease strategy, operational efficiency, and long-term footprint design
• You enable scalable growth through smarter facility utilization and co-location strategy
• You protect the business from risk through strong lease governance and compliance
• You unlock savings that can be reinvested into growth and operations

WHAT IT TAKES

• 10+ years in lease administration, real estate portfolio management, or indirect procurement
• Experience managing large warehouse or industrial/distribution facility portfolios (tenant-side strongly preferred)
• Strong background in lease negotiation and vendor contract management
• Proven ability to drive cost savings across facilities and service contracts
• Experience working cross-functionally with Legal, Operations, Finance, and external brokers
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage complex lease portfolios
• Strategic thinker capable of operating beyond tactical execution (director-level potential)
• Bachelor's degree preferred

THE PERKS!

• Medical, Dental, Vision coverage with employer contribution
• 401(k) with 50% match up to 5%
• PTO: 8 holidays + 2 floating holidays
• Vacation: 2 weeks starting (up to 4 weeks with tenure)
• Company-paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Tuition reimbursement up to $3,000/year
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sales bonus opportunities tied to performance