Assistant Secretary, Office Of Real Estate

State of Maryland•Baltimore City, MD

20d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) is hiring an executive leader to oversee its Office of Real Estate (ORE). ORE provides real estate services to State government, including management of a commercial lease portfolio comprising 6 million square feet. Its work covers lease management and procurement, space planning and utilization, lease construction and compliance, land acquisition and disposal, valuation and appraisal, and management of the State-owned real estate portfolio. The Assistant Secretary provides strategic oversight and administration for all ORE units, supported by the ORE Director of Operations. The position develops and implements management strategies, promotes strong performance across the division, and ensures high standards of service delivery to State agencies and customers. This is an Executive Service position serving at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority (at-will).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field.
At least eight years of progressive professional experience overseeing commercial or government real estate operations, including lease management, construction management, and land acquisition and disposal.
At least five years of experience in a senior or executive leadership role.
Track record of managing large, complex portfolios, developing strategic plans, and implementing organization-wide policies and procedures.
Strong knowledge of real estate principles, practices, and regulations.
Experience managing organizational change in a large organization and analyzing business operations and workflows to create efficiencies and improve operations.
Ability to work independently and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Experience leading diverse teams overseeing comprehensive project portfolios.
Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and financial performance.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent project management and analytical skills, including the ability to derive needs and insights from data.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or Juris Doctor.
Experience in procurement and contract negotiation.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement long-term strategic plans for the Office of Real Estate and establish goals aligned with DGS’s mission, vision, and values.
Lead development and execution of policies and procedures to improve operations, and provide strategic advice and recommendations to the DGS Office of the Secretary on agency-wide issues.
Review legislation, executive orders, and public policies related to real estate and provide recommendations to the Secretary of DGS.
Lead, guide, and direct ORE staff and managers; foster an inclusive environment that supports professional growth and development.
Prepare performance appraisals, address disciplinary issues, ensure vacancies are filled promptly, and provide staff training and development opportunities.
Oversee personnel activities with DGS’s Office of Human Resources, including approval of human resource plans and activities and selection and hiring of ORE managers and staff.
Oversee implementation of ORE’s fiscal year budget and prepare budget requests for the new fiscal year.
Monitor and control expenditures and identify opportunities for cost savings and revenue generation.
Serve as the subject matter expert and executive-level point of contact for ORE matters, and represent DGS in interactions with government officials, boards, commissions, and legislative bodies.
Align ORE communications and activities with DGS messaging and goals, provide technical expertise to varied audiences, and use events to educate about and advance DGS’s mission.
Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including State and Federal agencies, contractors, and community partners; communicate facilities management activities and initiatives.
Promote continuous improvement and innovation across ORE, implement technologies and practices to improve efficiency and service delivery, and modernize business processes and workflows.