Assistant Vice Chancellor Real Estate Strategy and Development - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

24d

About The Position

The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Real Estate Strategy and Development is an executive leader responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive real estate strategy that advances the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s mission and supports its long-term growth. The role represents UT Knoxville in real estate opportunities, acquisitions, dispositions, leasing activities, development projects, and strategic partnerships, and guides complex transactions in collaboration with university leadership, government officials, developers, consultants, and community stakeholders. The position leads long-range real estate planning aligned with the campus master plan and institutional needs, including strategic land acquisition, redevelopment, public-private partnerships, and other development approaches that support academic, research, student life, and economic development objectives. It also advises senior leadership on market opportunities, risks, and investment strategies; leads negotiations and transaction execution; and coordinates legal, financial, brokerage, appraisal, and consulting partners. The Assistant Vice Chancellor works closely with the University of Tennessee System Department of Capital Projects & Real Estate to coordinate campus priorities with system-wide strategies, transaction processes, capital project planning, and state approval requirements. The role prepares executive analyses and recommendations, supports decisions involving campus leadership and governing and regulatory bodies, develops governance and portfolio-management tools, and leads cross-functional teams and stakeholder engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, Public Administration, Construction Management, Real Estate, or a related field.
Significant experience, typically demonstrated by 10 years, in commercial, institutional, public-sector, healthcare, higher education, or economic development real estate.
Expertise in acquisitions, development, leasing, valuation, financing, and public-private partnerships.
Strong financial and analytical capabilities, including feasibility analysis and investment modeling.
Demonstrated success leading complex transactions and development initiatives.
Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
Experience advising senior executives, governing boards, and public officials.
Ability to balance vision, strategy, risk management, and execution within a large and complex organization.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Real Estate Development, Public Administration, or a related field.
Juris Doctor degree with emphasis in real estate, contracts, or development law.
Professional certifications such as PMP or licensed real estate broker credentials.
Leadership experience in higher education, healthcare, government, or institutional real estate environments.
Knowledge of higher education governance, capital planning, public finance, and regulatory processes.
Experience leading large-scale development initiatives and complex public-private partnerships.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategic real estate initiatives that support university growth and mission advancement.
Establish long-range real estate priorities aligned with the campus master plan and future institutional needs.
Identify, evaluate, and advance acquisition and development opportunities.
Lead financial analysis, valuation, feasibility assessments, and due diligence.
Manage acquisitions, dispositions, and redevelopment initiatives.
Advise senior leadership on market opportunities, risks, and investment strategies.
Support long-term planning for campus growth, transition zones, and adjacent development.
Serve as the university’s primary point of contact for campus-adjacent acquisition opportunities.
Build and maintain relationships with government agencies, economic development organizations, developers, brokers, community leaders, and strategic partners.
Monitor market trends and identify opportunities that support university objectives.
Advance collaborative efforts that contribute to compatible development and neighborhood enhancement around campus.
Develop real estate delivery and financing strategies that balance institutional objectives and risk management.
Lead negotiations involving acquisitions, leases, development agreements, easements, and related transactions.
Evaluate ownership models, financing approaches, and governance structures.
Coordinate and manage legal, financial, brokerage, appraisal, and consulting partners.
Collaborate with university departments and system stakeholders on project planning and execution.
Support long-term asset management strategies that maximize institutional value.
Prepare executive-level analyses, recommendations, and presentations.
Support decision-making involving campus leadership, the UT System, the Board of Trustees, and state regulatory bodies.
Develop policies, procedures, governance frameworks, and portfolio management tools.
Lead cross-functional project teams and facilitate stakeholder engagement.
Ensure effective communication and coordination among university departments, consultants, government entities, and external partners.
Serve as UT Knoxville’s primary liaison with the University of Tennessee System Department of Capital Projects & Real Estate, coordinating campus priorities with system-wide strategies, transaction processes, capital project planning, and state approval requirements.