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Grant Thornton - US
Chicago, Illinois

Director, Global Real Estate

Hybrid$184,000 - $276,000/yrPosted yesterday

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Job details

Location
Chicago, Illinois
Work type
Hybrid
Compensation
$184,000 - $276,000/yr
Posted
yesterday
Apply on
ehzq.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com

About this role

Grant Thornton is seeking a Director, Global Real Estate to join the team. Approved office locations can be found below.

The Director, Global Real Estate owns the firm's global real estate strategy and portfolio. This is a strategy-and-oversight role for global real estate activities across strategy, workplace design, transactions, and financial management of the global lease portfolio. The Director sets portfolio direction, occupancy strategy, and workplace design standards, and partners closely with Workplace Operations on place-based execution.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Portfolio Strategy & Governance

  • Define and own the global real estate strategy, portfolio plan, and occupancy strategy aligned to firm growth and integration

  • Set workplace design standards and guardrails applied across the portfolio

  • Establish real estate governance, data, and analytics to support capital and occupancy decisions

  • Continuously evaluate and propose automation and AI adoption opportunities within real estate and design & construction processes, partnering with Global Transformation & Integration on centralized prioritization and delivery

Transactions & Partner Management

  • Own the transactions strategy and oversee execution through the firm's appointed real estate transactions partner

  • Oversee the external design & construction partner relationships, ensuring best-in-class outcomes with fees appropriately charged to capital projects

  • Manage an outsource provider- and partner-first delivery model, holding partners accountable to performance and service standards

Design & Construction Oversight

  • Own the global design standards, recommending changes in office designs and layouts in accordance with business needs and regional/local adaptions where necessary

  • Ensure projects are delivered on scope, schedule, and budget, and to firm design standards

Data, Analytics & Performance

  • Establish metrics and targets for efficiency, cost, and customer satisfaction across the real estate portfolio

  • Build, monitor, and act on reports and dashboards that track performance and progress against targets, elevating the function's data, analytics, and business-intelligence maturity

  • Example metrics: occupancy cost and cost per square foot/seat, lease timelines and upcoming expirations, office/space utilization, portfolio footprint and vacancy/sublease exposure, and capital project budget vs. actual — informing strategic portfolio decisions

  • Use data-driven insights to inform decisions, prioritize improvements, and demonstrate value to firm leadership

Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Partner with Workplace Operations on place-based execution (occupancy, moves, fit-outs) via the dotted-line relationship with Regional Managers

  • Collaborate with Finance on capital planning, accounting and financial reporting treatment, and project economics

  • Represent the function with strong executive presence, delivering clear, concise, and executive-ready communications and deliverables

  • Co-design the function's detailed target model with the Global Administrative Services Leader

  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Success Measures

  • A clear, funded global portfolio and occupancy strategy

  • Effective partner performance (transactions and design partners) against cost and service standards

  • Projects delivered on scope, schedule, and budget to design standards

  • Optimized occupancy cost and portfolio footprint over time

  • Metrics, targets, and dashboards established for efficiency, cost, and customer satisfaction, with demonstrable progress tracked over time

  • Automation and AI opportunities identified, proposed, and adopted within the function, in coordination with Global Transformation & Integration 

 

The base salary range for this position is between $184,000 and $276,000. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton’s discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

About Company

The team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:
• Whether it's your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work the way that it best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a GT office or client site. 
• Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household. 
• We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different — and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. See how at www.gt.com/careers
• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at www.gt.com/careers

Here’s what you can expect next: 
If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at www.gt.com/careers. 

Benefits:
We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different, and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit: https://www.grantthornton.com/careers/rewards-and-benefits
  • Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.
  • Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave. 
Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.

Additional Details:       
It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact [email protected]. 

For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

For Massachusetts Applicants only:  It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Grant Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.

Company

At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result – for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It’s what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better. 

In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.

In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.

Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.
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About Grant Thornton - US

Grant Thornton - US
Chicago, Illinois
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