JOB TITLE: Director of Real Estate

REPORTS TO: General Counsel

LOCATION: Hybrid Schedule with the ability to work 1-2 days remote and the remainder of the week at our beautiful West Creek office in Richmond.

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Not available for this position

Position Overview

The Director of Real Estate is a strategic leadership role responsible for managing and optimizing Virginia Farm Bureau’s real estate properties. This position requires a dynamic individual with a proven track record in real estate management, contract negotiations, and facility safety compliance. The Director of Real Estate will work closely with various departments to ensure that our 100+ field office locations that range from former single-family dwellings to 2,000-3,000 sq. ft. leased space are strategically positioned and maintained to enhance company visibility and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning:
  • Strategically identify and secure office locations that maximize company visibility within the county to support growth of membership and insurance policyholders.
  • Conduct market analysis to evaluate existing and potential sites and determine locations for office spaces.
  • Actively optimize lease agreements through market benchmarking and proactive renegotiation of priority leases
  • Lead development of annual operating budgets and capital expenditures within guidelines.
  • Manage and maintain relationships with landlords, real estate brokers, owners, and developers within organizational footprint.
  • Work proactively to optimize the West Creek Headquarters to support future venue and growth plans.
  • Maintain financial responsibility for controlling CAM costs within approved budget and work to improve net income.
  • Seek opportunities to use environmentally friendly and sustainable materials aligned with LEED and Energy Star standards; focus on sustainability in areas of energy, water, materials, and indoor environmental quality in all corporate owned facilities.
• Office Management:
  • Coordinate the day-to-day activities of maintenance, repair, and risk management of all properties.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulatory guidance to maintain a safe working environment (OSHA, Building Codes, ADA, etc.).
  • Implement preventative maintenance programs to enhance property value, ensure cost control and identify problem areas proactively.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders to plan and execute office remodels and modifications to enhance office functionality, employee satisfaction, and aesthetics, ensuring execution within established guidelines.
  • Assembling permitting and regulatory review applications.
  • Manage existing leases to ensure compliance with all contractual obligations.

• Vendor Management:
  • Identify and secure third-party vendors for repairs and modifications, ensuring quality services at competitive prices.
  • Manage vendor relationships and oversee contractor performance to ensure timely and efficient service delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in real estate management, including significant experience in lease negotiation.
• Ability to analyze market trends and make strategic decisions based on data-driven insights.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA standards and experience in ensuring facility compliance.
• Proven ability to plan and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• Detailed knowledge of property management regulations and property laws.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management abilities.

This role is critical in driving the company's real estate strategy. The ideal candidate will be a proactive leader with a keen eye for detail and a passion for optimizing business environments.

At VA Farm Bureau, we provide an exceptional benefits package, including ongoing job development and support in all roles, paid training and continuing education reimbursement, medical and dental insurance available on your first day, generous employee 401K contribution, excellent Paid Time off (PTO) plan and more!

Virginia Farm Bureau Companies provide equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, pregnancy, age, disability, orientation or veteran status.