Head of US Real Estate

Howden • Miami, FL

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

Howden is a global insurance group seeking a Head of Real Estate – Americas, US-based, preferably East Coast with a hybrid work schedule. This role is responsible for leading and delivering Howden’s Corporate Real Estate strategy across North and South America. The Head of Real Estate – Americas will act as the senior regional representative for Corporate Real Estate, partnering closely with divisional leadership, finance, HR, IT, procurement, and external service providers to ensure the business has the right locations, workplaces, and services to support ongoing growth. The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of the Americas portfolio, including portfolio strategy, lease transactions, workplace delivery, capital projects, facilities management governance, supplier management, and real estate financial performance. This role is part of the Global Corporate Real Estate leadership team and reports directly to the Global Head of Corporate Real Estate. The role will be instrumental in helping Howden scale its presence across the Americas while implementing consistent governance, data-driven decision making, workplace standards, and cost optimization initiatives across the region.

Requirements

• Significant experience leading Corporate Real Estate functions across the Americas.
• Strong track record managing large and complex property portfolios.
• Experience in portfolio strategy, transactions, lease negotiations, and workplace delivery.
• Demonstrable success delivering major office projects and workplace transformations.
• Experience managing outsourced service providers and strategic supplier relationships.
• Experience operating within fast-paced, high-growth businesses.
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strong financial and analytical capabilities.
• Effective negotiator with experience managing complex transactions.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills.
• Ability to balance strategic priorities with operational delivery.
• Collaborative and highly credible leader.
• Comfortable operating in an entrepreneurial environment.
• Results-oriented with strong execution focus.
• Able to build high-performing teams and develop talent.
• Resilient and adaptable in a continually evolving business environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as the senior Corporate Real Estate lead across the Americas.
• Develop and execute the regional real estate strategy aligned to global objectives.
• Establish trusted partnerships with divisional leadership teams.
• Provide strategic guidance on portfolio decisions, workplace strategy, and growth plans.
• Drive standardization of processes, governance, and reporting across the region.
• Manage the Americas real estate portfolio, ensuring alignment with business growth plans.
• Lead location strategy and portfolio optimization initiatives.
• Oversee acquisitions, renewals, renegotiations, disposals, and lease exits.
• Develop market-specific occupancy and workplace strategies.
• Support business integrations, acquisitions, and consolidations.
• Ensure all real estate decisions align with corporate governance requirements.
• Oversee delivery of all regional capital projects, office openings, relocations, and refurbishments.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
• Manage project pipelines, capital forecasts, and business cases.
• Drive workplace standards and consistency across the region.
• Partner with project delivery teams to ensure successful project execution and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Establish and oversee the Americas facilities management operating model.
• Drive consistency in service delivery across hard and soft FM services.
• Oversee operational readiness for all new office locations.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Implement service performance measures and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Own regional real estate operating and capital budgets.
• Monitor and report portfolio performance, occupancy costs, and project expenditure.
• Deliver forecasting, benchmarking, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Ensure robust governance and approval processes are followed.
• Lead regional steering committees and executive reporting.
• Manage relationships with brokerage, lease administration, project management, and facilities management partners.
• Develop supplier strategies that improve value, quality, and consistency.
• Lead vendor performance reviews and commercial negotiations.
• Ensure effective contract management and service governance.
• Drive adoption of data-led decision making across the portfolio.
• Maintain visibility of portfolio performance, occupancy, utilization, and financial metrics.
• Develop executive-level reporting and regional dashboards.
• Ensure portfolio information is complete, accurate, and aligned with global standards.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including healthcare savings and reimbursement accounts
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• Paid parental leave
• Life and Disability insurance
• Discretionary bonus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed