Real Estate Contracts Manager

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UW Facilities manages the University's buildings, infrastructure, and land, with more than 1,100 employees in a variety of fields. Organizationally, UWF consists of six major units: the Asset Management group includes Project Delivery Group, Engineering Services, Campus Architecture and Planning, and Sustainability; the Operations group includes, Maintenance & Construction (buildings and grounds, including building systems), Building Services (custodial and waste management/recycling), Transportation Services, and Safety; Campus Energy, Utilities & Operations manages the major recapitalization of the University's utilities infrastructure while overseeing the continuous delivery of utility services across campus; the business operation of UW Facilities is managed by Finance & Administration (HR, Finance, Procurement & Sourcing, Communications, and Campus Stewardship and Capital Budget); the UW Real Estate group manages real estate development via public private partnerships, real estate transactions and a portfolio of properties to meet the future needs and aspirations of the institution. Supporting these groups is the Business Intelligence & Information Technology group (IT, Business Process Management & Analytics). Visit UW Facilities web page for more information: UW Facilities.

UW Facilities has an excellent opportunity for a Contracts Manager in our Real Estate department. This senior level position reports directly to the Executive Director of Real Estate. The UW Real Estate (UWRE) team handles property transactions, asset management, project management, finance and accounting, and data management, with real estate services provided to all three UW campuses (Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell), medical centers, research field stations, biological preserves, and various off-campus and international locations.

We have an outstanding opportunity for a Real Estate Contracts Manager.

The Contracts Manager plays a pivotal role in overseeing the legal aspects of real estate transactions. This senior-level position collaborates closely with the University's division of the Washington State Office of the Attorney General and external legal counsel. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Real Estate, the Contracts Manager contributes to the strategic objectives of the University by ensuring optimal legal and financial terms and conditions for real estate transactions and asset stewardship while ensuring compliance with policies, regulations, and risk management protocols.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Contracts Manager is integral to achieving the best possible terms and conditions for real estate transactions and asset stewardship, while ensuring University-wide consistency with respect to policy compliance, legal review, adherence to local/state/federal laws as well as risk management. The Contracts Manager serves an essential role as a team member with UWRE colleagues and other departments of the University such as UW Treasury, Financial Planning & Budgeting, UW Compliance & Risk Services Office and units within the UW Facilities organization. Types of transactions and contracts include ground leases, commercial leases as landlord and as tenant, residential leases, purchases, sales, gifts of real property, property rights such as easements, licenses, and permits. Specific areas of responsibility are as follows:

Contracts Management (70%)

Oversee all legal contracts and associated documents for UWRE to ensure appropriate content, validity of terms, accuracy and clarity, and conformance with policy and regulations. This may include negotiation with other parties, review of financial terms, and critical analysis of overall business objectives. This work includes:

• Reviewing documents negotiated and prepared by asset managers and project managers for real estate transactions, tenant improvements and other construction projects.

• Negotiating terms in legal agreements.

• Coordinating with the Attorney General's Office and/or external legal counsel.

• Participating as a critical team-member on major transactions, including complex Public Private Partnerships and ground leases.

• Drafting and updating templates for legal documents used frequently by UWRE.

Legal Analysis & Advice (20%)

Utilize expertise, research and consultation to ensure that transactions, asset stewardship and business operations achieve institutional objectives while minimizing risk. Provide guidance and professional insight for decision-making that best serves the goals of management of assets.

• Provide legal analysis and leadership of team engaging with Attorney General's Office and external legal counsel for legal advice in a variety of areas.

• Provide advice for business decisions related to management of UW properties based on legal analysis.

• Propose and draft policies to guide business operations and management decisions to mitigate legal and operational risks.

Leadership (5%)

Serve in a leadership capacity in a variety of ways including the following:

• Contribute to the excellence of UWRE and its reputation for outstanding customer service.

• Develop training materials and presentations to enhance knowledge of best practices.

• Provide expert professional guidance for real property stewardship, management, and operations.

• Mentor law student interns and other student employees.

• Represent the University in professional organizations, conferences, and events.

• Serve on internal University committees as needed.

• Support diversity/equity/inclusion initiatives of UW Facilities.

• Contribute to a culture of teamwork and camaraderie and a practice of innovation in UWRE and across the UW Facilities organization.

Additional Duties (5%)

• May include a variety of other real estate related responsibilities including leading specific projects as determined by the Executive Director of UWRE.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrate personal integrity and trustworthiness

• Anticipate, recognize and resolve problems

• Be responsive and accountable

• Use interpersonal skills to navigate projects through a complex collaborative institution

• Maintain a positive and success-oriented attitude

• Exercise professionalism, which includes being tactful and courteous

• Exhibit a responsible work ethic

• Manage stressful situations and changing priorities effectively

• Continuously promote a safe work environment

Requirements include:

• Licensed attorney with juris doctor degree and a minimum of 8 years of experience working in commercial real estate, transactions, and contracts including ground leases and other complex deal structures.

• Able to independently work on multiple projects, prioritize, follow up and bring to conclusion.

• Strong negotiation and communication skills: listening, written, phone, and in-person.

• Quick to learn and adapt to new processes.

• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

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

Desired:

• Experience working with non-profit and/or governmental agencies or institutions of higher education.

• Ability to interpret real estate market data and apply to transactions.

• Skill in financial analysis.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to work a hybrid (both office and telework) work schedule.

• Must be able to work in an open office environment.

• Must be able to work in non-smoking environment.

• Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.