Real Estate Services Program Manager

About This Position

 

Our department provides a variety of financial services and programs. Austin Financial Services (AFS) serves residents, vendors, and City departments.

Our mission is to serve as a trusted steward of public resources with integrity and accountability to ensure a fiscally sound city.

Our staff supports a wide variety of financial processes, including preparing the annual budget and annual fiscal report, procurement processes, franchise agreements, real estate transactions, and overseeing the City’s investment portfolio and debt management.

As an internal support function within the larger City organization, AFS is proud to serve and act as a leader in financial management to its partner departments.

 

Job Description:

Real Estate Services Program Manager

Purpose:

This position is responsible for providing program oversight, planning, and recommendations for Council action for real estate acquisitions, dispositions, conveyances, exchanges of property, leasing, and/or appraisals in support of City of Austin’s real estate transactions.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Participates in short- and long- range planning activities for real estate programs, serves as an advisor in support of department initiatives.

• Oversees, develops, and monitors City real estate programs; and plans the scope, criteria, and timelines for those programs.

• Develops and implements strategies through grants and alternative funding sources.

• Manages the purchasing procurement process; monitors contract services to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.

• Develops training materials, oversees, and facilitates training for departmental programs and initiatives.

• Establishes and implements communication strategies to improve access to City-sponsored programs.

• Evaluates program effectiveness and efficiency to meet departmental business goals.

• Assists and coordinates the preparation of legal documents, presents comprehensive and detailed reports by compiling, reviewing, and analyzing data; provides written and/or oral reports.

• Acts as liaison and represents the department to City Council, City departments, boards and commissions, citizens and other stakeholders.

• Responds to and resolves sensitive inquiries and complaints, and issues from both internal and external sources.

• Conducts research and provides data results to other departments, agencies or specific groups.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures pertaining to the acquisition, management, appraisal, and land use of real property for public purposes.

• Knowledge of Local real estate market.

• Knowledge of business strategies, objectives, departmental goals, and initiatives.

• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.

• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.

• Knowledge of research techniques.

• Knowledge of municipal government operations and applicable regulations.

• Skill in interpreting real estate law and legal contracts.

• Skill in negotiating real estate transactions such as leases, acquisitions, easements, and other properties to accomplish objectives.

• Skill in interpreting legal descriptions of leases, real estate, easements, and similar properties.

• Skill in interpreting, organizing, executing, and coordinating assignments.

• Skill in coaching and developing subordinates at all levels.

• Skill in oral and written communication.

• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.

• Skill in using computers and related software applications.

• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.

• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.

• Ability to exercise good judgment, tact, and diplomacy in all public dealings.

• Ability to train others.

• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.

• Ability to think strategically while maintaining an appreciation and understanding of past practices.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with stakeholders, boards and commissions, elected officials, City employees, and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business Administration, Public Administration, Real Estate, or in a field related to the job, plus six (6) years of experience in real estate activities, including three (3) years of experience in a lead or supervisory capacity.

• Experience may substitute for education up to four (4) years.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

None.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with local, state, or federal government in a real estate capacity.

• Experience supervising professionals in real estate acquisitions, leasing, or property management.

• Experience presenting complex issues to Executive Management, City Council, and Boards and Commissions.

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

 

Notes to Candidate:

Position Overview:

This position will be responsible for providing program oversight, strategic planning, management, and recommendations for Council action for real estate acquisition and dispositions in support of the City of Austin’s real estate transactions. This position will supervise real estate professionals in the Specialized and Capital Improvement Project Acquisitions Sections. Specifically, the position will lease and manage real property acquisition on behalf of the City of Austin for capital improvement projects and specialized acquisitions, including partial interest taking and transactions under threat of condemnation. The top candidate must be able to manage competing priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment and have excellent communication skills.

Note: Employees of AFS-Real Estate Services are prohibited from ownership of a business related to real estate and from conducting work related to real estate, as this presents a conflict of interest for employment with the City of Austin.

Pay Range:

$91,080.00 – $117,000.00

Hours:

Monday – Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Telework opportunities may be available after an initial training period. Work schedules are implemented to meet the requirements of the department and are subject to change based on business needs.

Note: Staff eligible to telework must be in the office for at least 60% of their scheduled work week.

Location:   

Town Lake Center, 721 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, TX 78704

Application Details: 

• A detailed, complete COA employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine your salary if you are selected for this position. 

• Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. 

• For each position, please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications.  

• A cover letter is required. In the cover letter candidates should describe, in concise detail, their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position. 

• A résumé is also required, but will not substitute for a complete COA employment application. Resumes are not accepted in place of a completed online application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the detailed and relevant work experience, which would qualify them for the position. 

• When completing the City of Austin employment application, the work experience listed must include a month, year, and a verifiable Supervisor or Human Resources phone number. 

• Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

• Each individual who submits an Application as provided in the Municipal Civil Service Rules and meets the Minimum Qualifications for a Competitive Position shall be considered a Candidate for that Position. Employees, in Good Standing, who are candidates within the Department or division that the Position resides in and who meet the Minimum and Preferred Qualifications (if any) of the Position will be included in the initial interview. 

• Use of AI is strictly prohibited to respond to the application and during the interview process.

• Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

Additional Details: 

• Austin Financial Services may close this job posting at any time after it has been advertised for seven (7) days, please apply as soon as possible if interested.

• This position may require a skills assessment. 

• If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education, which may include High School graduation or GED equivalent, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees, will be required. 

• This position will require a pre-employment Criminal Background Investigation (CBI). 

• If you are selected as the top candidate for a position, we may contact your current and former employer.

• If you are identified as a top military candidate or a veteran, you must provide a copy of your DD-214. 

Travel: 

If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations. 

90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: 

When the same or an additional vacancy occurs within a department in the same job title within 90 days after the start date of the top candidate, the hiring department may offer the additional position to another candidate from the same candidate pool. 

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JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

 

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – that anchor our delivery of services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

 

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

• Value and Innovation: Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives.

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.

• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.

• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.

• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.

• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

 

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

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EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.