Real Estate Transactions Manager (0931) - Real Estate Division, Office of City Administrator

City and County of San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of the City Administrator, Real Estate Division (RED) is seeking an experienced Real Estate Transactions Manager to lead the Transaction Team and oversee a diverse portfolio of complex real property transactions on behalf of City departments. The position is responsible for the performance and effective delivery of the Division’s transaction program, including commercial leases, acquisitions, conveyances, easements, license and other real property agreements. This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead a high-impact public real estate program by combining commercial real estate expertise with strong people leadership, strategic thinking, and disciplined project management. The Transactions Manager supervises Real Property Officers and administrative staff, establishes priorities, monitors transaction schedules, milestones, risks and deliverables, and strengthens staff work product from initiation and negotiation through approval and implementation. The position works closely with client departments, the City Attorney’s Office, third party property owners, consultants, and other stakeholders to develop transaction strategies, resolve issues, and ensure that agreements meet operational needs while complying with applicable City policies and legal requirements.

Requirements

Possession of a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university
Five (5) years of verifiable professional experience managing complex commercial real estate transactions from negotiation through approval, execution, and implementation, including acquisitions, dispositions, leases, easements, licenses, and other real property agreements.
At least three (3) years of experience supervising professional staff.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading a professional real estate transaction program, including establishing priorities, allocating resources, managing workload, and supervising the successful delivery of a portfolio of complex real estate transactions.
Demonstrated expertise in commercial leasing and land transaction principles, with a proven strong track record of negotiating complex real estate agreements. Skilled in conducting financial analyses, evaluating the economic feasibility of proposed property uses, and balancing stakeholder interests while securing successful outcomes.
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to prepare executive briefings, present recommendations, and explain complex real estate matters clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated ability to facilitate discussions, build consensus, and develop productive working relationships among client departments, legal counsel, consultants, elected officials, landlords, and other internal and external stakeholders.
Experience developing recommendations, briefing materials, and decision support documents to advise executive leadership on complex real estate matters.
Experience identifying and managing legal, financial, operational, and political risks associated with complex commercial real estate transactions.
Experience supervising, coaching, developing, and evaluating staff while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Experience developing and implementing policies, procedures, quality standards, performance measures, and operational controls for a professional real estate transaction program.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority assignments simultaneously, allocate resources effectively, and adjust priorities in response to changing organizational needs.

Responsibilities

Plans, directs, and evaluates the work of the Transactions Team, establishing expectations for quality, timeliness, accountability, and professional performance.
Supervises, develops, and evaluates professional and administrative staff; promotes effective communication, collaboration, peer review, knowledge sharing, and timely escalation of significant issues.
Allocates and assigns staff resources based on organizational priorities, workload, transaction complexity, and staff capacity.
Evaluates new project requests, including feasibility, readiness, priority, and resource requirements.
Advises the Real Estate Director and Deputy Director on significant transactions, program performance, emerging risks, policy issues, and operational improvements.
Represents RED with City leadership, elected officials, policy-making bodies, client departments, and other stakeholders.
Effectively communicates and presents real estate strategies, recommendations, and complex transaction matters.
Oversees a pipeline of complex real estate transactions from intake through negotiation, approval, execution, and implementation, ensuring projects advance in a timely and coordinated manner.
Develops and guides transaction and negotiation strategies that leverage market conditions, property-specific factors, valuation and financial analysis, and the City’s negotiating position to secure favorable economic and business terms and ensure responsible stewardship of public resources.
Monitors schedules, milestones, dependencies, deliverables, and outstanding decisions across the Transactions Team's pipeline.
Identifies transactions that are delayed, at risk, or require management intervention and works collaboratively with staff, client departments, legal counsel, and other stakeholders to resolve issues and advance work.
Provides strategic real estate advice to Division leadership and client departments on complex transactions, market conditions, portfolio opportunities, and real estate risks.
Directs and reviews market, financial, valuation, and other due diligence activities and analyses to inform transaction strategy, negotiations, and recommendations.
Evaluates transaction alternatives and recommends strategies that balance economics, operational requirements, timing, flexibility, risk, and long-term value to the City.
Oversees the selection and effective use of brokers, appraisers, title companies, and other real estate consultants to support transaction and portfolio objectives.
Oversees administration of the City’s portfolio of more than 200 active leases, ensuring critical dates, options, notice requirements, rent adjustments, and other contractual obligations are proactively managed to protect the City’s interests and avoid missed deadlines or opportunities.
Develops and implements policies, procedures, quality standards, and operational controls for leasing, acquisitions, conveyances, and other real property transactions.
Ensures compliance with applicable City policies, approval processes, documentation standards, and legal or regulatory requirements.