Deputy Commissioner, Real Estate

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The City of Philadelphia is the fifth largest City in the United States and an exciting place to live. The City of Philadelphia is one of the largest employers in the city and as such offers a competitive compensation package and benefits to its 25,000 employees. The Department of Public Property is a Charter established department within City government that is responsible for the acquisition, care, and maintenance of the City government’s physical plant and is committed to providing a habitable and safe work environment.

The Department of Public Property is responsible for all the facilities maintenance operations for all our public safety departments and all municipal buildings; Public Property is the city’s lead department for special event setups throughout the city.

Deputy Commissioner of Real Estate and Property Management serve as the senior leader supporting real estate portfolio for the City of Philadelphia. This position leads Department of Public Properties effort to utilize limited property assets to their highest and best use by negotiating, leasing, directing the real estate development process, and managing space. The position also leads mentors and supervises a dedicated team. In addition, the position oversees land acquisition activities. This position performs a critical role as the official record keeper and administrator for all business agreements and enforces contractual expectations with all tenants and operators.

Job Description

Job Description
The Department of Public Property is seeking a qualified candidate with strong managerial and leadership skills, proven team building skills, and excellent analytical, budgeting, space management, decision making and strategic thinking skills to lead our Real Estate Division. The Real Estate Division is responsible for managing the real estate portfolio for the City as property owner. The person in this position will identify and market surplus properties no longer necessary for City functions and disposition transactions; manage over 110 leases, including rent payments, insurance requirement updates, and renewal amendments; and serve as the principal contact for all legislative matters for the department.

Further, this is a Deputy Commissioner level position, directing through subordinates, the City's real estate and space management program for all departments and agencies serviced by the Department of Public Property. The person in this position has overall responsibility for determining space needs with departmental liaisons and determining adequate space to fill those needs. Contact with consultants, contractors and City officials to achieve the City's facilities management program objectives are significant aspects of the work. The employee reports to the Public Property Commissioner.

Essential Functions
Serves as senior property liaison for all public property including leased and city owned spaces.

Inventories, analyzes, and reports on business books including sales, revenue, property transactions, lease status, vacancy, etc.

Develops, negotiates, and drafts business terms for leases, licenses, easements, and other contract agreements.

Establishes processes and procedures for property management and lease administration to ensure strong contract administration oversight, space allocation enforcement, and tenant compliance with terms and conditions for use of city property.

Leads and supervises staff and establishes objectives, priorities, and assignments for property management.

Reviews and assesses tenant design and construction plans for leased property to ensure compliance with lease agreement terms and standards and to coordinate with other anticipated development or capital work.

Leads and coordinates real estate land acquisition activities in collaboration with other units including legal, engineering, and finance, as needed, including facilitating and overseeing property appraisals and real estate broker services.

Manage consultants in the preparation of land use feasibility studies and property appraisal valuations.

Prepares and presents City Council testimony and responses for legal depositions, ad hoc.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
Knowledge:

Comprehensive understanding of commercial real estate principles, including leasing, property management, and land development.

Deep knowledge of public-private partnerships (P3s) and their application in complex commercial real estate transactions.

Familiarity with local, state, and federal regulations governing airport property transactions and real estate development.

Expertise in contract negotiation, legal provisions, and lease administration related to real estate transactions.

Strong understanding of financial analytics, including cost-benefit analysis, pro forma development, and revenue modeling.

Knowledge of real estate market trends, including commercial development trends and local market conditions.

Understanding of architectural drawings, aerial surveys, and land use planning to assess development feasibility.

Knowledge of the principles and best practices of tenant relations, space allocation, and property compliance oversight.

Knowledge of real estate appraisal methodologies and the processes involved in the transfer of real property.

Knowledge of best practices for stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with government agencies, private sector entities, and legal teams.

Knowledge of supervisory principles and team leadership to build and manage high-performing teams.

Skills:
Strong analytical skills to assess financial viability, market feasibility, and economic impact of real estate projects.

Skill in leading multiple real estate projects, managing land acquisition activities, and overseeing tenant development.

Skill in analyzing and interpreting financial reports, revenue trends, and lease agreements to make data-driven decisions.

Skill in interpreting and applying real estate laws, policies, and contract provisions within a governmental setting.

Abilities:
Ability to work with legal teams, city officials, and private sector partners to facilitate large-scale property transactions.

Proven ability to negotiate, close, and execute complex commercial real estate deals, including leases, easements, and development agreements.

Ability to develop, interpret, and enforce legal agreements, ensuring compliance with city regulations and lease terms.

Ability to interpret architectural and engineering plans, ensuring alignment with lease agreements and infrastructure needs for the Department of Public Property,

Ability to effectively represent the organization in high-level discussions with government officials, business leaders, and industry stakeholders.
 

Ability to address and resolve challenges in real estate development, tenant relations, and lease administration.

Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines Capacity to work collaboratively with legal teams, city officials, and private sector.

Ability to lead cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, and resolving conflicts effectively.

Ability to adapt to evolving market conditions, identifying new opportunities for commercial growth and development.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including preparing reports, City Council testimony, and legal depositions.

Ability to manage and mentor teams, establish priorities, and delegate responsibilities effectively.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Real Estate, or a related field.

AND

Five (5) years of progressive experience in commercial real estate with a focus on property management, negotiation and strategic execution.

OR

Ten (10) years progressive experience in commercial real estate with a focus on property management, negotiation and strategic execution.

License(s): a Pennsylvania Real Estate license is required by this position

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample.

Salary Range: $145,000-$165,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx

Client-provided location(s): Philadelphia, PA

Job ID: 85f0b421-504d-4719-b997-361bae028319

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-11-26T18:05:11