Real Estate Specialist

The Real Estate Specialist is responsible for the ownership, coordination, compliance, and operational oversight of agricultural real estate assets across North America, managing a broad range of activities associated with the acquisition, ownership, operation, and disposition of assets. The role works closely with Agriculture leadership, VPs, Regional Managers, Ranch Managers, Ranch Administrators, Acquisitions & Dispositions, investment teams, finance, operations, legal, accounting, and other internal and external partners to ensure assets are managed efficiently, compliance obligations are met, risks are appropriately managed, and transaction activities are executed successfully.

The position requires strong project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to independently manage multiple initiatives across a geographically diverse portfolio. The Real Estate Specialist plays a critical role in preserving asset value, managing risk, maintaining regulatory compliance, and supporting effective transaction execution.

The role serves as a central point of coordination across the organization, helping ensure consistency, accountability, and effective management of real estate activities throughout the asset lifecycle.

Position Responsibilities:

Real Estate Asset Administration

• Maintain complete and accurate real estate records, including ownership documents, easements, access agreements, licenses, leases, legal descriptions, surveys, title information, and related property files.
• Coordinate the review, tracking, and management of easements, rights-of-way, boundary matters, access agreements, encroachments, and other property-related issues.
• Monitor and track real estate obligations, restrictions, and contractual requirements affecting portfolio assets.
• Support asset managers in addressing property-specific matters as they arise.

 

Appraisal & Valuation Coordination

• Manage the appraisal process for owned and managed properties.
• Coordinate engagement of third-party appraisers and maintain appraisal schedules.
• Collect and organize property information required for valuation activities.
• Track appraisal deliverables and distribute reports to appropriate stakeholders.
• Maintain appraisal records and valuation databases.

 

Property Compliance & Risk Management

• Monitor real estate tax obligations and coordinate with accounting and external parties to help ensure accurate and timely payment of property taxes and assessments.
• Track regulatory permits, licenses, reporting requirements, and compliance obligations affecting real estate assets.
• Monitor ongoing litigation, disputes, claims, or regulatory matters affecting portfolio properties and coordinate information requests among legal counsel and internal teams.
• Support risk management initiatives related to property ownership and operations.

 

Transaction Management & Asset Integration

• Coordinate with the Acquisition and Disposition team on transaction activities from contract execution through closing and post-closing integration.
• Support property onboarding activities following acquisitions, including transfer of contracts, permits, licenses, records, and operational documentation.
• Assist in resolving post-closing matters and outstanding transaction issues.

 

Operational & Cross-Functional Support

• Assist as needed with property-level due diligence efforts for acquisitions, dispositions, financing activities, and strategic projects.
• Track real estate licensing and continuing education requirements for applicable managers and licensed personnel.
• Support internal audits, compliance reviews, and reporting activities.
• Partner with Health, Safety, and Environmental teams to coordinate required training and compliance initiatives.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and summaries for management as requested.
• Support other special projects and initiatives related to portfolio management and real estate operations.

Required Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Agricultural Business, Finance, Property Management, or a related field preferred.

• Real estate coursework, license, or professional designation is desirable.

 

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in real estate, property management, transaction management, title and escrow, land administration, agricultural operations support, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating complex transactions and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with agricultural real estate, land management, water resources, permitting, appraisal processes, or regulatory compliance preferred.

 

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of real estate transactions, contracts, title matters, and due diligence processes.
• Ability to interpret legal descriptions, easements, surveys, title commitments, and related real estate documents.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
  

When you join our team:

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [email protected].

Referenced Salary Location

USA, Illinois - Full Time RemoteRemote

Salary range is expected to be between

$48,975.00 USD - $81,625.00 USD

Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [email protected] for the salary range for your location.

Manulife/John Hancock offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.

We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our personal information collection statement.

Know Your Rights I Family & Medical Leave I Employee Polygraph Protection I Right to Work I E-Verify

Company: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)