Director of Strategic Operations, Metropolitan Tract

Job Description

As a UW employee you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity intellectual excitement artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

UW Facilities Real Estate Development has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of Strategic Operations Metropolitan Tract to join their team.

Application Requirement:

The University of Washington has retained Seattle Financial Staffing LLC dba Northwest Recruiting Partners to support this recruitment. Please send your resume and cover letter to Lisa Glenn at or for additional information or questions call Lisa at 509.670.1388.

About this Opportunity

This role leads day-to-day operations and strategic implementation for the Metropolitan Tract the Universitys landmark 11-acre commercial real estate portfolio in downtown the post-COVID era of elevated vacancy rates this role combines tactical operational excellence with strategic thinking to execute recovery strategies implement placemaking initiatives and ensure optimal portfolio performance. This portfolio is in a prime location in downtown Seattle and will require collaboration with city and regional organizations such as the City of Seattle officials Downtown Affiliated Associations and other relevant organizations. This position provides subject matter expertise and materials to support executive level decision making including President Vice President and Regents and the Advisory Committee on Real Estate (ACRE) relative to capital improvements/expenditures for UW owned land and resources. Reports to the AVP Real Estate Development Chief Real Estate Officer (CREO).

Performance of asset management duties on the Metropolitan Tract is a highly visible and critical role for the University. The position will require interaction with executive levels of private and public sector stakeholders. Frequent collaboration is also required with members of the Universitys executive level of business officers and the Universitys Advisory Committee on Real Estate (ACRE); an advisory Board consisting of national real estate experts.

The support of the CREO and UW Real Estate Director positions and membership in the CPD/Facilities leadership team is also critical and when necessary includes significant exposure to high level UW administration and governance bodies. The University owns and controls over $5B in capital assets and although a portion is independently managed by UW Medicine the role will significantly impact the Universitys stewardship of these assets.

Key Responsibilities

Metropolitan Tract Asset Management

The Metropolitan Tract represents the Universitys largest wholly owned real estate investment asset comprising multiple Class A and B office buildings totaling over 1.4 million square feet of rentable office space 200000 square feet of commercial retail space the Cobb Apartments 450 hotel rooms and 2000 parking spaces. This position ensures the assets operational success setting goals to achieve performance metrics aligned with other A-level asset market comps through oversight of property management operating budgets accounting leasing capital projects and performance reporting.

Operational Management:

• Manages third-party property managers responsible for day-to-day operations of office space hotel residential apartments and retail space

• Oversees leasing team negotiating contracts for over 1.4 million square feet in downtown Seattle

• Serves as key contact with ground lease tenants including Fairmont Olympic Hotel owners and Rainier Square Tower and 400 University developer/owner

Financial Management and Analysis:

• Analyzes investment opportunities and provides capital allocation recommendations including adaptive reuse and redevelopment options

• Monitors debt service requirements and coordinates refinancing strategies with finance team

• Develops financial models for mixed-use conversions and alternative revenue streams to address declining office rents

• Leads value engineering initiatives to maximize returns from under-performing assets

• Manages major lease negotiations tenant retention programs and new business development initiatives

• Ensures optimal financial performance through rigorous budget management expense control and revenue optimization

Stakeholder Relations:

• Serves as primary contact for community partners and major tenants in this highly visible University role

• Collaborates with executive-level business officers and the Universitys Advisory Committee on Real Estate (ACRE)

• Coordinates with UWs marketing and communication teams on messaging

• Requires strategic thinking as landlord adapting to varied customer goals and reporting to diverse audiences

Placemaking & Community Engagement:

• Designs and implements placemaking strategies to enhance the Metropolitan Tract as a vibrant urban destination

• Builds relationships with community organizations cultural institutions and local business leaders

• Coordinates programming for retail spaces public areas and event venues to drive foot traffic

• Manages partnerships with civic organizations related to downtown and regional growth

• Leads public realm improvement projects and streetscape activation initiatives

Portfolio Repositioning & Development Strategy:

• Leads comprehensive analysis of underperforming office assets for adaptive reuse and redevelopment opportunities

• Develops strategic repositioning plans addressing decline in occupancy and falling rental revenues

• Executes mixed-use conversion feasibility studies for excess office space including residential hospitality life sciences and experiential retail options

• Coordinates with planning consultants and architects on zoning analysis and development capacity studies

• Implements revenue diversification strategies reducing dependence on traditional office leasing

• Manages pre-development activities including market analysis financial modeling and partnership structuring

• Oversees relationships with potential development partners investors and joint venture opportunities

• Manages entitlement processes and community engagement for major redevelopment initiatives

• Executes phased development strategies maintaining cash flow while repositioning under-performing assets

Support the UW Real Estate Team:

Supports the Real Estate Team overseeing other UW owned and leased assets.

Perform Other Duties as Required

Core Competencies

• Demonstrate personal integrity and trustworthiness

• Anticipate recognize and resolve problems

• Maintain responsiveness and accountability

• Use interpersonal skills to navigate projects through complex collaborative institutions

• Maintain positive success-oriented attitude

• Exercise professionalism with tact and courtesy

• Exhibit responsible work ethic

• Manage stressful situations and changing priorities effectively

• Continuously promote safe work environment

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in real estate finance or similar field or CPA preferred

• Minimum 10 years commercial real estate experience with 5 years in senior management roles

• Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements such as a license/certification/registration

Additional Requirements:

Technical Skills:

• Lease analysis property budgeting cash modeling forecasting and financial audit management

• Mixed-use urban commercial real estate and/or institutional property management experience

• Understanding of leasing structures and contract negotiations

Leadership & Communication:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills balancing strategic and operational priorities

• Strong project management skills managing multiple complex initiatives simultaneously

Desired Experience:

• Masters degree in real estate finance or similar field or CPA preferred

• Construction management development processes and capital project oversight experience

• Extensive knowledge of Seattle/Pacific Northwest commercial real estate markets

• Understanding of post-COVID commercial real estate challenges and recovery strategies

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex multi-stakeholder projects

• Excellent communication and presentation skills for senior leadership and external stakeholder engagement

• Ability to translate strategic vision into actionable operational plans

Working Conditions:

• The position is eligible for hybrid work schedule. Typically the schedule is on site two or three days a week at UWRE office on UW Seattle Campus or Metropolitan Tract Downtown Seattle and remote work the remainder of time.

• Open office non-smoking environment

• Regular and predictable work hours required

Application Requirement:

The University of Washington has retained Seattle Financial Staffing LLC dba Northwest Recruiting Partners to support this recruitment. Please send your resume and cover letter to Lisa Glenn at or for additional information or questions call Lisa at 509.670.1388.

About the Team:

UW Facilities manages the Universitys buildings infrastructure and land with more than 1100 employees across six major units: Asset Management (Project Delivery Group Engineering Services Campus Architecture and Planning and Sustainability); Operations (Maintenance & Construction Building Services Transportation Services and Safety); Campus Energy Utilities & Operations; Finance & Administration; Real Estate Development; and Business Intelligence & Information Technology. Visit for more information.

Real Estate Development includes the UW Real Estate. UW Real Estate is a team of 18 staff that provides strategic asset management and comprehensive real estate services that align with the Universitys institutional goals. This includes all property interests owned and leased by the University of Washington.

Compensation Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Temporary or Regular

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier return they enjoy outstanding benefits opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity intellectual excitement artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race color creed religion national origin citizenship sex pregnancy age marital status sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information disability or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.