Assistant Director for Projects and Real Estate Transactions at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey

Job Description:

Assistant Director for Projects and Real Estate Transactions

US-NJ-Princeton

Job ID: 2025-20680
Type: Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Campus and Auxiliary Services

Overview

In concert with its commitment to academic excellence, Princeton University has long been dedicated to providing a wide range of housing options, not only for undergraduate and graduate students, but for faculty and staff as well. To this end, the University owns and manages a diverse portfolio of residential properties. Housing and Real Estate Services (HRES) is responsible for the management and oversight of the University’s housing portfolio.

 

The scale of Faculty and Staff Housing at Princeton is robust and diverse and includes approximately 500 units of rental housing, short-term and furnished housing options and approximately 130 units of property in close proximity to campus and which are available for purchase by eligible employees.

 

Housing and Real Estate Services is seeking an Assistant Director to collaborate with the construction, development, and transaction teams in the renovation and development of housing projects for rental and sale. Reporting to the Director of Housing Real Estate Services (Director), the incumbent will also support various research and analytical projects for the organization. This position is also a representative of University Services Leadership Team and supports the mission and principles focusing on service excellence, efficiency and effectiveness, and team and people. 

Princeton University currently has enrolled approximately 7,900 students (5,300 undergraduates and 2,600 graduate students) and employs approximately 7,400 benefit-eligible employees. As a research university, Princeton seeks to achieve the highest levels of distinction in the discovery and transmission of knowledge and understanding. At the same time, Princeton is distinctive among research universities in its commitment to undergraduate teaching. Interdisciplinary work is vital to Princeton and is reflected in a full spectrum of academic programs.

 

Housing and Real Estate Services is a business unit within the University Services organization. University Services focuses on providing high quality, integrated services to the University community. The departments of Campus Dining; Campus Support Services (AV Services, Performing Arts Services, Venue Services); Conference and Event Services; Housing and Real Estate Services; Print, Mail, and Trademark Licensing Services; The Service Point (integrated customer service center); Transportation and Parking Services, and University Services Administration (which includes Business Services, Communications, Finance, Information Technology, and Talent and Organizational Development) are housed within University Services.

 

HRES is led by the Executive Director of Housing who is responsible for housing undergraduate and graduate students and operations and the Director of Housing Real Estate Services who is responsible for the administration of all faculty and staff programming. The scale of housing operations at Princeton is unique and diverse with approximately 5,700 dormitory beds for undergraduate and graduate students on campus, and 1,800 housing units, within the University’s rental and apartment program, which are available to faculty, staff, and graduate students. The University also offers approximately 130 single family homes in close proximity to campus, and which are available for purchase by eligible employees.

 

All applicants are required to submit a cover letter.  A full job description will be furnished prior to interview. 

Responsibilities

PROJECTS
Support the Director by managing construction project activities and real estate services for all faculty and staff housing programs including but not limited to partnering with the Facilities Operations project manager, participating in the sourcing and selecting of project architects and contractors, competitive bid processes, project site coordination, project close-out, and neighbor and community relations.

 

Respond to inquiries, troubleshoot, and provide information regarding status on all projects. Manage selected projects on behalf of Housing and Real Estate Services and provide effective and timely communications with University partners, staff, residents, and vendors during construction.

 

Partner with the Assistant Director of Capital Planning within University Services Finance to track project costs to ensure compliance with project budget, the reported economic outcome, and the real estate capital plan.

 

Partner with the Assistant Director of Capital Planning and the University Services Finance team to develop forecasting, create budgets, pro-formas, and economic analysis for projects. Develop recommendations for senior administration. Monitor cost and performance projections.

 

Track project status and provide reports to the Director of Housing Real Estate Services, outlining project schedule, progress, risks, issues, and other relevant information.

 

Take necessary coordination and administrative actions to ensure the project schedule aligns with assigned housing and is appropriately prepared for occupancy on a set schedule.

 

Establish a selection of standard finishes options for renovation projects and maintain standards to align with current housing trends and styles.

 

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
Create and supervise a timeline of important dates during the real estate transaction; ensure maintenance of physical and online files and provide a consistent, quality-controlled system to ensure the smooth and successful completion of all relevant steps in the transaction.

 

Work with the Director of Business Services to ensure all transaction documents are fully and correctly complete and executed, and oversee the coordination of all requirements for closing such as municipal inspections, keys, Certificate of Occupancy, etc.

 

Partner with the Director of Mortgage Services, University Office of the General Counsel, and external legal counsel to facilitate the home ownership program sales and repurchase transactions.

 

Oversee the daily coordination with lending and project teams regarding completion of inspections items, coordination of appraisal and communication with lending team. Oversee the maintenance and management of transaction and project data for both buyers and sellers.

 

Track status of transactions and provide reports to the Director of Housing Real Estate Services outlining schedule, progress, risks, issues, and other relevant information.

 

OTHER
Support Director on high priority faculty and staff recruits and placements. Provide the highest level of customer service to faculty engaging in purchase or sale transactions. Ensure that construction activities are aligned with client priorities.

 

Collaborate, create, and manage tools to ensure communicating and reporting of pertinent information both internally and to campus partners.

 

Develop recommendations for investments in stock and process improvements to raise the quality of Princeton University’s faculty and staff housing program.

 

Collect, analyze, and document market research and maintain an active knowledge of market trends, rates, and competitive projects.

 

Collaborate with University Services Director of Business Services and Faculty and Staff Housing Program Manager to develop processes for updating databases and other relevant systems.

 

Support Director in consultation with other housing professionals (local, industry, and peer institution) and collaborate with University Services Director of Business Services and Faculty and Staff Housing Program Manager to set portfolio standards by segment.

 

Duties as assigned. Special projects as decided by the Director.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree required
• 3-5 years of experience in real estate property transactions, creating contracts, and project management.
• Knowledge of legal documents, such as leases, titles, surveys, appraisals, and property descriptions.
• Proven ability to effectively manage time and workload, which includes planning, organizing, prioritizing, and following through on a variety of tasks, projects, and reports to meet deadlines.
• Evidence of strong customer service skills and success as part of collaborative project teams.
• Proven ability to work/act independently and know when to refer decisions/situations to the Director.
• Demonstrated planning, analysis, and quantitative skills.
• High ethical and confidentiality standards in interactions with staff, clients, vendors, and the public.
• Ability to work successfully in both a team environment and individual basis.
• Demonstrated skills in collecting and synthesizing data and designing workflows and procedures.
• Attention to detail and persistence to ensure that diverse project elements are complete and satisfactory.
• Ability to work well under pressure with multiple/competing deadlines.
• Highly developed written and verbal communications skills.
• Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to learn and apply new skills; keep abreast of current developments; synthesize complex or diverse information.
• Valid Driver’s License.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience managing outside contractors and vendors.
• Experience in real estate construction and development.
• Knowledge of appraisal and negotiating principles, procedures, and processes.
• Knowledge of real estate finance and capital planning analysis.
• Knowledge of project management tools and systems.
• University setting experience.

 

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Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI266612258

Salary:

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