Real Estate Program Manager

About this role

The Real Estate Program Manager is a senior individual contributor responsible for leading complex real estate programs, transactions, and strategic initiatives that support Flexential's growth, operational scalability, and portfolio performance. This role serves as a trusted subject matter expert and strategic partner across the organization, driving the execution of high-impact projects that require coordination across multiple functions, including Operations, Finance, Legal, Design & Construction, Energy, Product, and Executive Leadership.
Operating with significant autonomy, the Real Estate Program Manager manages large-scale initiatives through all phases of planning and execution, providing analytical insights, influencing key decisions, and ensuring successful project outcomes. This position is accountable for managing complex projects, budgets, risks, timelines, and stakeholder relationships while continuously identifying opportunities to improve processes, portfolio performance, and operational effectiveness. The ideal candidate combines deep commercial real estate expertise with strong program management, business acumen, and the ability to influence outcomes across cross-functional teams without direct authority.
Key Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions
Real Estate Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Lead real estate programs and strategic initiatives that support capacity growth, market expansion, portfolio optimization, and business objectives.

• Evaluate market opportunities and site selection alternatives through financial, operational, and strategic analysis.

• Develop recommendations to support leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, renewals, and other portfolio decisions.

• Monitor portfolio performance and identify opportunities to improve utilization, scalability, efficiency, and long-term value.

• Support development and execution of short- and long-range portfolio strategies.

Transaction & Project Leadership

• Manage complex real estate transactions from initial evaluation through execution and handoff to internal stakeholders.

• Lead negotiations and coordinate efforts with brokers, landlords, developers, consultants, attorneys, and other external partners.

• Drive project schedules, budgets, due diligence efforts, approvals, and critical milestones to ensure successful execution.

• Anticipate risks, dependencies, and potential obstacles and develop mitigation strategies to maintain project objectives.

• Ensure real estate initiatives are aligned with operational requirements, business priorities, and customer commitments.

Cross-Functional Program Management

• Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.

• Establish project governance, communication plans, and execution frameworks to improve consistency and accountability.

• Facilitate decision-making by providing clear analysis, recommendations, and actionable insights to business leaders.

• Influence project outcomes through collaboration, expertise, and strong stakeholder management rather than formal authority.

• Drive alignment among cross-functional teams to ensure timely execution of strategic initiatives.

Financial & Business Analysis

• Develop and maintain financial models, business cases, and investment analyses supporting real estate decisions.

• Analyze market trends, operating costs, capital expenditures, and portfolio performance metrics.

• Present recommendations to senior leadership based on financial, operational, and strategic considerations.

• Support forecasting, reporting, and strategic planning activities within the Real Estate function.

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Identify opportunities to improve real estate processes, tools, reporting, and project delivery methodologies.

• Implement best practices that enhance efficiency, scalability, and consistency across the portfolio.

• Establish and maintain standards, documentation, and reporting processes supporting organizational objectives.

• Contribute to strategic initiatives designed to improve operational performance and business outcomes.

• Serve as a resource and mentor to project team members and less experienced contributors.

Scope & Impact

• Leads complex real estate programs, transactions, and portfolio initiatives with significant operational, financial, and strategic impact.

• Independently manages multiple concurrent projects involving substantial investment, business risk, and executive visibility.

• Provides subject matter expertise and recommendations that influence portfolio strategy and key business decisions.

• Drives collaboration across multiple business functions to achieve organizational objectives.

• Exercises independent judgment in evaluating alternatives, solving complex problems, and managing project risks.

• Contributes to the development and execution of departmental and cross-functional strategic plans.

• Establishes processes and governance frameworks that improve execution, efficiency, and operational effectiveness.

• Influences outcomes through expertise, leadership, and stakeholder engagement without direct managerial authority.

• Supports continuous improvement initiatives that enhance scalability, reliability, and portfolio performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or related field.

• 8-12 years of progressive experience in commercial real estate, program management, portfolio management, development, corporate real estate, or related disciplines.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in the data center industry.

• Demonstrated experience leading complex real estate transactions, programs, and cross-functional initiatives.

• Strong knowledge of commercial real estate principles, transaction management, due diligence, financial analysis, and portfolio planning.

• Proven ability…