Vice President, Real Estate & Facilities

UL Research Institutes • Evanston, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President, Real Estate & Facilities provides executive leadership for UL Research Institutes (ULRI) and UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) across facilities and real estate strategy, capital expansion, and health, safety, and environment (HSE). This role ensures that ULRI’s laboratories, research facilities, and work environments, as well as ULSE’s offices are safe, compliant, operationally effective, and positioned to support scientific excellence and organizational growth. Reporting to the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President works in close partnership with the Chief Research Officer, Research Institute and Office leaders, and senior leaders across the organizations to translate strategy into scalable infrastructure, disciplined capital delivery, and a strong culture of safety and environmental responsibility in support of UL’s mission to create a safer world.

Requirements

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in facilities, real estate, capital project delivery, and/or environmental health and safety, preferably within research, laboratory, industrial, or other regulated environments.
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Demonstrated experience leading large capital programs and facilities portfolios with strong governance and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience setting and overseeing enterprise‑level safety and environmental programs in complex operating environments.
• Executive leadership skills with the ability to lead complex, cross‑functional portfolios in a matrixed organization.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to align infrastructure, capital investments, and safety priorities with long‑term organizational goals.
• Deep understanding of facilities and real estate strategy, laboratory and technical facility development, and lifecycle asset management.
• Strong knowledge of environmental health and safety principles, regulatory compliance, hazard identification, and risk mitigation.
• Proven ability to establish governance, manage risk, and deliver results across large‑scale, high‑impact initiatives.
• Financial and commercial acumen, including capital planning, cost controls, and contract negotiation.
• Positive, collaborative interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and build trust across diverse stakeholders.
• Engaging and approachable leadership style that sets high standards for accountability and performance.
• Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels, with attention to detail and a strong bias toward execution.
• Demonstrated ability to grow and lead geographically distributed high performing teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, decision‑ready guidance to executive leadership.

Nice To Haves

• advanced degree in engineering, architecture, environmental science, safety, business, or a related field strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for facilities, real estate, capital expansion, and HSE functions across ULRI and ULSE.
• Establish and execute long‑term facilities and real estate strategies aligned with research priorities, geographic needs, and growth plans.
• Oversee the planning, modernization, and optimization of laboratories, research facilities, and office environments.
• Lead governance and execution of major capital and construction projects, including construction of major, highly technical, and regulated laboratory facilities, over the next several years.
• Oversee feasibility studies, site evaluation, zoning, entitlements, permitting, and environmental assessments to support leadership decision‑making.
• Ensure disciplined capital planning, budgeting, cost control, risk management, and reporting across the project portfolio.
• Set the organization’s vision and strategy for health, safety, and environmental programs, fostering a strong culture of safety and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental health and safety laws, regulations, and ULRI and ULSE policies across all operations and projects.
• Integrate HSE requirements into facility design, laboratory operations, capital projects, and contractor management.
• Sponsor audits, inspections, incident investigations, and corrective action planning to drive continuous improvement.
• Establish and manage positive relationships with key external stakeholders, including suppliers, economic development, community organizations, and municipal and state officials as required.
• Lead, mentor, and develop senior leaders and teams responsible for Facilities & Real Estate and HSE.
• Collaborate closely with Finance, Legal, Procurement, IT, Strategy, Communications, and HR to ensure alignment, efficiency, and accountability.
• Lead other functions, projects, or activities as required.

Benefits

• bonus compensation based on the level of the position
• comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
• a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay
• an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment
• paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days

What This Job Offers

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