Duke University Health System (DUHS) Job Descriptions
Duke Job Postings
To see if there are current openings for any of the job descriptions listed on this web site, please search Duke Jobs.
CHIEF REAL ESTATE OFFICER
Job Title: CHIEF REAL ESTATE OFFICER
Job Code: 5679
FLSA: E
Job Level: N2
Revised Date: 10/09/2025
Supervisory Responsibility:
General Description of the Job Class
The Chief Real Estate Officer is responsible for overseeing the comprehensive real estate services for Duke University and Duke University Health System. In this capacity, they will manage capital and financial planning, strategic land and asset acquisitions and dispositions, and the negotiation of leases that support the institution's academic and healthcare missions.
Duties and Responsibilities of this Level
- Coordination of the strategy for real estate and capital assets for the University and Health System including owned and leased campuses in alignment with institutional growth plans
- Manage real estate team involved in the administration of lease portfolio. Establish and maintain relationships with external business partners including city officials, developers, landlords and investors
- Management of 4+ million square feet of leased space for clinical, research, academic, administration and storage needs in approximately 250 off campus leases
- Identification, negotiation and oversight of real estate purchases. Lead internal and external due diligence partners for acquisition and disposition process including facility assessments and valuations
- Coordination of legal issues including easements, right of way, deeds, etc.
- Oversight of Duke developed neighborhood associations and Architectural Review Board representation
- Foster a strong relationship with DUMAC, Inc. to ensure smart, fiscally responsible real estate decisions are made that create short- and long-term value
- Partner with Finance and Project Management offices to develop and monitor budgets for major real estate projects
- Work with Development Officers and donors to identify potential real estate donations to Duke University or Duke Health
- Representation of Duke University and Duke University Health System as requested on internal steering committees as well as participation with community boards, government partnerships, and greater Durham relationships
- Follow current real estate issues, trends and compliance/legal concerns related to real estate industry utilizing journals, professional contacts, industry organizations and peer groups.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education
Master's degree in business administration, real estate, or related field.
Experience
Requires over eight years' experience in real estate and financial analysis; excellent interpersonal, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills. Experience in major university and/or health system setting preferred
Third-party real estate services and development experience; leading investment grade projects, asset and programs
- Practiced in establishing and aligning strategy, vision, mission and cost-management across a real estate portfolio.
Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Strategic Real Estate Planning: Ability to develop real estate and capital asset strategies aligned with institutional growth plans for both owned and leased properties. Working knowledge of unique needs for healthcare development and mixed-use development projects
Portfolio Management: Experience managing a real estate team and overseeing large, complex lease portfolios (4+ million sq. ft. across 250+ leases). Knowledge and comfort navigating complex and multi-owner real estate structures and performances, managing developers and large real estate firm partners
Negotiation & Acquisition Expertise: Skilled in identifying, negotiating, and overseeing real estate purchases, dispositions, and leading due diligence processes
Relationship Building: Proven ability to establish and maintain relationships with external partners, including city officials, developers, landlords, and investors
Legal & Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with legal issues related to real estate (easements, deeds, right of way) and current industry trends, compliance, and legal concerns
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal abilities with experience representing an institution in community and government partnerships
Strategic Vision: Ability to think long-term and strategically in a dynamic, high-growth environment for an elite academic health system
Leadership Style: Dynamic leader with agility, attention to detail, and adaptability to changing landscape.
Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
