Sr. Director Corp Real Estate & Facilities

Airbus•Herndon, VA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Director Corp Real Estate & Facilities contributes to business objectives through the strategic application of corporate real estate and facilities knowledge, resources, and influence. The role develops and delivers comprehensive solutions supporting aerospace operations across the organization and North America, with measurable, cost-effective, value-added, and reliable results aligned with Airbus’s annual and long-term business objectives. The position leads regional real estate strategy, capital projects, facilities operations, service delivery, budgets, governance, compliance, fixed asset management, and team development across a portfolio of more than 40 sites. It provides executive oversight of real estate transactions, construction and infrastructure projects, service providers, operational continuity, asset planning, and financial controls. The role also advises executive site leadership, collaborates with corporate and cross-functional partners, and contributes to crisis management and corporate accreditation initiatives. The role requires at least 30% domestic and international travel. Its physical requirements specify an onsite/remote arrangement of 80% onsite and 20% remote, and include routine work in office and production environments, possible use of tools such as hydraulic lifts, and appropriate hearing and eye protection when visiting the shop floor. The position is permanent and has a flexible remote type.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
At least 15 years of corporate real estate or facilities experience in a complex organization.
At least 10 years of developing and managing budgets subject to external and internal demands and changes.
At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience, with demonstrated ability to motivate teams and influence senior leadership.
Experience delivering large-scale capital projects and managing contracts and vendors.
Demonstrated experience managing enterprise-level real estate portfolios across multiple geographies and property types.
Experience managing multiple workstreams in a multicultural environment and addressing cultural differences successfully.
Working knowledge and application of OSHA, ISO, NFPA, ANSI, and ADA standards.
General knowledge of FAA, EASA, and ICAO standards.
Knowledge of industry trends, best practices, and technology; ability to read blueprints and construction drawings; and experience with large construction or renovation projects.
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, presentation, and project management skills, including prioritizing and delivering within timelines, scope, and budget.
Strategic and visionary thinking, with the ability to adapt and remain resilient in a changing environment.
Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of a complex organization.
Project and change management skills, including managing multiple complex transformation projects and prioritizing effectively.
Stakeholder management skills, including negotiation and matrix-management coordination.
Ability to understand business needs and build consensus among business leaders to enable transformation and advance strategic priorities.
Commitment to ongoing professional development for self and staff.
Fluent written and spoken English.
Written, presentation, oral communication, interpersonal, consultative, and effective results-oriented problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in office productivity tools.
Eligible and authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.
Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including working onsite, moving through office and production areas, carrying and lifting items up to 30 lb/14 kg, and using office equipment and some production tools.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business Management or equivalent.
Facilities or real estate experience in a production environment.
Background in sustainability, energy management, or green building certification programs such as LEED.
Experience with M&A integration and facilities harmonization across acquired entities.
PMP certification.
CMRP, CFM, or FMA professional designation through facilities organizations such as BOMI or IFMA.
Knowledge of the aerospace industry.
French, German, or Spanish communication skills.
Proficiency in Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a long-term real estate master plan aligned with business growth, organizational productivity, and hybrid work models.
Lead complex lease negotiations, site acquisitions, and divestitures; manage strategic relationships with external brokerage and legal partners.
Define North American workplace strategy to support corporate culture, employee retention, and operational efficiency.
Drive sustainability and ESG reporting initiatives across the portfolio in support of carbon-reduction and energy-efficiency targets.
Represent the company in external real estate and facilities forums and maintain market intelligence on regional conditions.
Direct implementation and integration of corporate real estate technology, including IWMS/CAFM platforms.
Provide executive oversight of strategic projects, including large-scale capital construction, renovations, and industrial infrastructure upgrades.
Establish standardized project management methodologies, governance, and reporting to support consistent delivery, cost control, and schedule adherence.
Oversee project risk management, quality assurance, and compliance with corporate standards, safety regulations, and aerospace requirements.
Partner with operations teams to improve facility performance and long-term asset value.
Collaborate with Procurement, Finance, EHS, Manufacturing, and other executive partners to align project outcomes with business objectives and operational resilience.
Maintain alignment with the central team on global workplace strategy.
Define, monitor, and enforce KPIs and SLAs for facilities service providers, ensuring service quality, operational uptime, and adherence to aerospace safety standards.
Act as the primary executive escalation point for critical facility or infrastructure disruptions and direct response teams to maintain business continuity.
Analyze FM/IWMS operational data to identify trends, optimize resources, and reduce operating expenses while maintaining service standards.
Oversee third-party vendors and property managers across the 40+ site portfolio, ensuring contractual, financial, and performance compliance.
Direct operating expenditures and pursue cost reductions through continuous improvement, vendor demand planning, and value engineering.
Govern capital planning from project inception through capitalization, ensuring investments are effectively executed, tracked, and compliant with fiscal policies.
Establish and enforce integrity, corporate policy, anti-corruption, and ethical procurement standards in facility operations and real estate transactions.
Direct compliance and risk mitigation to meet EHS standards and maintain readiness for internal and external audits.
Champion corporate social responsibility initiatives and ensure facilities meet sustainability and ethical conduct expectations across the regional supply chain.
Monitor regulatory requirements and update policies and procedures to maintain compliance.
Build and lead a high-performing, diverse team, fostering accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development.
Lead learning and development, technical upskilling, mentorship, and succession planning for the team.
Promote cross-functional collaboration and open communication across departments and business units.
Oversee the annual comprehensive asset review, registry accuracy, audit certifications, and authorization of obsolete asset retirement or disposal.
Use facilities-management data, including ServiceNow, to advance predictive and preventative maintenance and identify equipment failure patterns.
Oversee capital asset planning, including repair-versus-replacement decisions and HVAC capitalization strategies.
Manage warranty portfolios to capture value from vendors and contractors.
Ensure compliance with capitalization and depreciation policies and evaluate the ROI and financial impact of large asset investments.
Oversee authorization of asset procurement, modification, and disposal, and ensure fixed assets meet applicable financial, technical, and safety standards.
Liaise with landlords and property managers on lease agreement activities.
Contribute to corporate accreditation programs, including ISO 14001.
Provide technical expertise in RFI/CFT processes, including creating specifications and scopes of work.
Advise executive site leadership and functions such as Finance, Procurement, and HR; collaborate with site leadership to develop, submit for approval, and execute capital expenditure projects.
Participate in the crisis management team and provide technical expertise.
Recommend and manage initiatives to improve service delivery, considering cost and quality.
Contribute to the Human Resources Leadership Team.
Maintain awareness of potential compliance risks and act with integrity.