Director of Real Estate & Infrastructure

Position Summary

The Director of Infrastructure & Real Estate provides strategic direction for the firm's global real estate portfolio and major change projects. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role leads a team to optimize the firm's physical and operational infrastructure, including implementing and monitoring the firm's sustainability plan in collaboration with other executive leaders. The Director will manage vendor and broker relationships, collaborate with firm leadership to drive value, and oversee project investment and cost management in partnership with the Chief Financial Officer.

• Develop business cases for new real estate portfolio projects, analyzing costs, benefits, and strategic value to inform management decisions, and prepare written reports summarizing recommendations for approval by firm leadership, including the Board.
• Lead and execute projects related to the firm’s real estate portfolio and major firm-wide change initiatives, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget and with appropriate cross-departmental collaboration and are implemented with a consistent approach to the firm’s values and standards across geographies and offices.
• Partner with the COO and other senior leaders to implement and monitor the firm’s sustainability plan.
• Manage the firm's real estate portfolio by optimizing space utilization consistent with the changing needs of the business, tracking performance, negotiating leases, and managing vendor/broker relationships to reduce costs and maximize value.
• Develop and maintain metrics to measure and report on real estate and project portfolio performance, providing regular updates to senior leadership.
• Meet or exceed legal industry standard for real estate costs compared to firm revenue.
• Manage project budgets, tracking actual costs against forecasts and making necessary adjustments.
• Identify, recommend, and manage selection of properties for tours, test fits, construction estimates, and financial comparability of all economic terms in lease proposals.
• Provide strategic insight and support throughout the real estate portfolio management process, including RFPs to landlords, preparation of counteroffers, and lease negotiations to maximize opportunities and reduce costs for the firm.
• Develop and maintain a platform for visibility of firmwide projects and project status accessible to firm leadership.
• Provide leadership to project teams and collaborate with department heads to identify and implement efficiency improvements.
• Frequent travel will be required to evaluate properties, oversee construction projects, and meet with key stakeholders across more than 60 global locations, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 10 years of management or consulting experience in a legal or professional services environment.
• MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• Proven leadership and change management experience, including managing, coaching, and developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively and collaboratively with all levels of the firm and external vendors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience in developing business cases and using metrics to demonstrate return on investment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects, drive results, and facilitate solutions in a collaborative environment.
• Proven ability to build and develop strong and trusting professional relationships.
• Project Management Professional certification or willingness to obtain it is preferred.
• Proficient in all Microsoft applications, including but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Document Management System, expense, and billing systems.

Please note, we are not working with outside recruiters for this position.

Ogletree Deakins offers a robust suite of benefits for our Staff including:
Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, a 401(k) matching program, Profit Sharing, Paid Holidays, Paid Parental Leave, affordable Health and Life Insurance including Dental & Vision coverage, Health Savings…