Manager Real Estate - Real Estate & Workplace Solutions

FirstEnergy • Akron, OH

8h

About The Position

The Manager, Real Estate provides strategic oversight and administration of FirstEnergy’s real estate portfolio across a five-state service territory. The role leads a team of real estate professionals and external contractors responsible for property acquisitions and dispositions, lease and license agreements, lease administration, deed and right-of-way records, third-party land-use transactions, and identifying and resolving property and right-of-way encroachments.

The successful candidate provides leadership, business guidance, and portfolio management to ensure transactions and agreements support operational needs, regulatory compliance, financial objectives, and long-term business strategy. The position collaborates with internal Legal, Operations, Engineering, Environmental, and Finance teams, as well as external partners and contractors.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Real Estate, Finance, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in business development, project management, real estate, land administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, contracts, and stakeholder relationships.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, including experience leading teams and external resources.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Earth Pro, SAP, Power BI, FileNET, and FileNET Desktop, and experience with contract management and real estate systems.
• Budget management experience.
• Strong understanding of real estate portfolio management principles and practices.
• Ability to balance strategic objectives with day-to-day operational requirements.
• Experience negotiating and administering complex contracts and agreements.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and investment analysis.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multiple business functions.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or another advanced degree.
• Experience in the utility, energy, infrastructure, or regulated-industry environment.
• Knowledge of property acquisitions, dispositions, easements, deeds, rights-of-way, and payable/receivable lease administration.
• Familiarity with regulatory, environmental, and land-use considerations affecting utility operations.
• Professional certifications related to real estate, project management, or property administration.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team responsible for administering the Company’s real estate portfolio across a five-state service territory.
• Oversee negotiation, execution, and ongoing management of facility leases, rights of entry, licenses, easements, transmission rights-of-way, and other property agreements.
• Direct property acquisition and disposition activities in alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Manage receivable lease programs, including contract administration, compliance monitoring, revenue tracking, and stakeholder engagement.
• Review and approve third-party requests involving Company-owned properties, transmission rights-of-way, and related interests.
• Develop and implement strategies to optimize real estate assets while minimizing risk and controlling costs.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, as well as Company policies and procedures.
• Manage relationships with external consultants, surveyors, appraisers, brokers, legal counsel, and contractors.
• Identify, track, and resolve encroachments in FirstEnergy Operating/Transmission Company transmission rights-of-way.
• Establish performance metrics, monitor team effectiveness, and drive continuous process improvements.
• Prepare and present portfolio updates, financial analyses, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning for real estate assets and expenditures.

Benefits

• Competitive pay plus incentive compensation.
• Company-sponsored pension plan.
• 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution.
• Choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs.
• Skills development training with tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager