Closing Date: 3rd October, 2026
Description:
Job Description:This recruitment is being conducted by Harris Legal Search. In order to be considered for this position, please apply at Harris Legal Search. (https://harrislegalsearch.com/opportunity/uwre/)
The Real Estate team has an outstanding opportunity for an Associate Director to join their team.
About This Opportunity:
Finance, Planning and Budgeting (FPB) offers an excellent opportunity for an Associate Director in our Real Estate department. This senior-level position reports directly to the Executive Director of Real Estate.
The Associate Director plays a pivotal role in overseeing the legal and business aspects of real estate transactions and asset management to advance the University's strategic objectives. The Associate Director leads strategy and operations related to legal services and contract documentation for UW Real Estate. This senior-level position collaborates closely with the Washington State Office of the Attorney General, law firms appointed as Special Assistant Attorneys General counsel, and other key campus partners.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Real Estate, the Associate Director contributes to the University's strategic goals by securing optimal legal and financial terms and conditions for real estate transactions and asset stewardship, while ensuring compliance with applicable policies, regulations, and risk management protocols.
Key Responsibilities:
Legal and Business Management (80%)
Utilize expertise, research, and consultation to ensure that real estate transactions, asset stewardship, and business operations achieve institutional objectives while mitigating risk. Provide direction and oversight of contracts and associated documentation for UW Real Estate (UWRE) to ensure appropriate content, validity of terms, accuracy and clarity, and compliance with applicable policies and regulations, in consultation with legal counsel.
Responsibilities may include negotiating with external parties, reviewing financial terms, and performing critical analysis of overall business objectives. Provide guidance and professional insight to support decision-making and advance the strategic goals of University asset management.
Oversee legal operations by working closely with legal counsel to ensure that transactions achieve financial objectives and strategic impact. Support a broad portfolio of real estate transactions and assets, including matters with valuations reaching several hundred million dollars.
Leadership (20%)
Serve in a leadership capacity in a variety of ways including the following:
- Contribute to the excellence of UW Real Estate (UWRE) and its reputation for outstanding customer service.
- Promote organizational effectiveness through the application of high standards for accuracy, fairness, ethical conduct, and policy adherence.
- Develop training materials and presentations to enhance knowledge of legal and risk management best practices.
- Provide expert professional guidance related to real property stewardship, management, and operations.
- Mentor law student interns, other student interns, and employees.
- Represent the University in professional organizations, conferences, and industry events.
- Serve on internal University committees, as needed.
- Support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within UW Facilities.
- Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, camaraderie, and innovation within UWRE and across the UW Facilities organization.
Additional Duties:
May include a variety of other real estate related responsibilities including leading specific projects as determined by the Executive Director of UWRE.
Required Qualifications:
To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Juris doctor law degree and minimum 5 years of experience working in commercial real estate, transactions, and contracts including ground leases and other complex deal structures.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills along with analytical problem-solving to balance legal compliance and risk with strategic and operational objectives.
- Proven ability to work in a cross-functional team environment to accomplish multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Aptitude for focus on detail with clear and accurate legal documentation and other written or presentation materials.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 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, with skill in financial analysis.
- Sound business judgment with management experience.
About the Team
Finance, Planning, and Budgeting (FPB) encompasses the major central financial, planning, analytical, and budgeting functions for the University of Washington, including:
- Financial Stewardship & Operations
- Institutional Analytics & Decision Support
- Budget, Policy & Strategy
- University Business Service
- 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.