Real Estate Specialist

Manulife • Usa, IL

5d • Remote

About The Position

The Real Estate Specialist is responsible for coordinating ownership, compliance, and operational oversight of agricultural real estate assets across North America throughout the asset lifecycle. Working with Agriculture leadership, regional and ranch teams, acquisitions and dispositions, investment, finance, operations, legal, accounting, and external partners, the role helps ensure effective asset management, regulatory compliance, risk management, and transaction execution. The position requires strong project management, attention to detail, and the ability to independently manage multiple initiatives across a geographically diverse portfolio.

The role maintains real estate records and tracks property obligations; coordinates appraisals and valuation records; monitors taxes, permits, licenses, regulatory requirements, and property-related disputes; and supports risk management. It also coordinates transaction activities from contract execution through closing and post-closing integration, assists with due diligence and onboarding, and supports audits, reporting, licensing and continuing education tracking, health and safety and environmental compliance initiatives, and other portfolio management projects.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in real estate, property management, transaction management, title and escrow, land administration, agricultural operations support, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating complex transactions and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of real estate transactions, contracts, title matters, and due diligence processes.
• Ability to interpret legal descriptions, easements, surveys, title commitments, and related real estate documents.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Agricultural Business, Finance, Property Management, or a related field.
• Real estate coursework, license, or professional designation.
• Familiarity with agricultural real estate, land management, water resources, permitting, appraisal processes, or regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate real estate records, including ownership documents, easements, access agreements, licenses, leases, legal descriptions, surveys, title information, and property files.
• Coordinate the review and tracking of easements, rights-of-way, boundary matters, access agreements, encroachments, and other property issues.
• Monitor real estate obligations, restrictions, and contractual requirements affecting portfolio assets.
• Support asset managers in addressing property-specific matters.
• Manage appraisal processes, including engaging third-party appraisers, maintaining schedules, organizing property information, tracking deliverables, distributing reports, and maintaining valuation records and databases.
• Monitor real estate taxes and coordinate with accounting and external parties to help ensure timely and accurate payment of taxes and assessments.
• Track permits, licenses, reporting requirements, and other regulatory compliance obligations affecting real estate assets.
• Monitor litigation, disputes, claims, and regulatory matters affecting properties, and coordinate information requests among legal counsel and internal teams.
• Support property ownership and operations risk management initiatives.
• Coordinate transaction activities with the Acquisition and Disposition team from contract execution through closing and post-closing integration.
• Support onboarding of acquired properties, including transfer of contracts, permits, licenses, records, and operational documentation.
• Assist with post-closing matters and outstanding transaction issues.
• Assist with property-level due diligence for acquisitions, dispositions, financing activities, and strategic projects.
• Track real estate licensing and continuing education requirements for applicable managers and licensed personnel.
• Support internal audits, compliance reviews, and reporting activities.
• Partner with Health, Safety, and Environmental teams to coordinate required training and compliance initiatives.
• Prepare management reports, presentations, and summaries as requested.
• Support special projects and initiatives related to portfolio management and real estate operations.

Benefits

• Customizable health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life, and AD&D insurance coverage.
• Adoption and surrogacy benefits, wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans.
• Retirement savings plans, including pension and 401(k) plans, and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions.
• Financial education and counseling resources.
• Up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year.
• Statutory leaves of absence.
• Incentive programs and incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance for eligible employees.
• Flexible work environment and support for learning and career growth.

What This Job Offers

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