Senior Commercial Real Estate Associate

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Harvard University Housing & Real Estate (HUHRE) is a department within Harvard Campus Services, a multi-department organization within Harvard’s Central Administration. HUHRE supports the University’s educational and research efforts by offering Harvard affiliates a wide array of housing and real estate services in University-owned properties which are conveniently located, competitively priced, and professionally managed to residents and tenants alike. HUHRE serves as the asset manager for Harvard’s portfolio of commercial spaces and centrally stewarded institutional assets, overseeing the leasing and operations of University-owned institutional space for Harvard affiliates and commercial spaces for rent by private retail tenants within the Cambridge, and Greater Boston area.

HUHRE manages a broad range of initiatives and assets to help support the Harvard community. These include, but are not limited to:

• Leasing, managing, and renewing Harvard-owned housing as well as Harvard office/institutional spaces, and commercial real estate portfolios
• Leading community engagement and programming opportunities
• Managing relationships with external partners and vendors
• Working within the larger University community to develop and coordinate University-wide policies and strategies
• Supporting new University housing and real estate development projects across the Cambridge and Greater Boston area

Harvard University Housing & Real Estate and Harvard Campus Services are committed to cultivating an organization that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

The Senior Commercial Real Estate Associate is a proactive, self-directed professional who supports the leasing and management of Harvard University’s commercial real estate portfolio, including retail and office properties. This position requires initiative, independent problem-solving, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering high-quality service to tenants and internal stakeholders. The Associate contributes to lease negotiations, tenant relationship management, financial and administrative tracking, forecasting, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure the success and strategic growth of Harvard’s commercial real estate assets.

• Independently support leasing activities, including preparing marketing materials, attending property tours, scheduling meetings with brokers, and coordinating follow‑ups.
• Assist in lease negotiations by facilitating the process, including preparing letters of intent and draft leases, following up on LOIs through to execution, coordinating with legal and finance teams, and supporting deal analyses.
• Ensure accuracy in lease data, abstracts, and reporting, maintaining up‑to‑date records in Yardi or similar systems.
• Support forecasting and strategic planning for the commercial leasing portfolio, tracking vacancies, upcoming lease expirations, and revenue projections.
• Monitor market trends and proactively provide insights to support strategic leasing decisions.
• Advise schools and departments on space needs and translate program requirements into clear, actionable lease criteria.

• Build and maintain strong tenant relationships by anticipating concerns, delivering exceptional service, and proactively de‑escalating issues.
• Serve…