The Senior Commercial Real Estate Associate is a proactive, self-directed professional who supports the leasing and management of Harvard University鈥檚 commercial real estate portfolio, including retail and office properties. This position requires initiative, independent problem-solving, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering high-quality service to tenants and internal stakeholders. The Associate contributes to lease negotiations, tenant relationship management, financial and administrative tracking, forecasting, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure the success and strategic growth of Harvard鈥檚 commercial real estate assets.
Job-Specific Responsibilities
Leasing & Transaction Support
- Independently support leasing activities, including preparing marketing materials, attending property tours, scheduling meetings with brokers, and coordinating follow-ups.
- Assist in lease negotiations by facilitating the process, including preparing letters of intent and draft leases, following up on LOIs through to execution, coordinating with legal and finance teams, and supporting deal analyses.
- Ensure accuracy in lease data, abstracts, and reporting, maintaining up-to-date records in Yardi or similar systems.
- Support forecasting and strategic planning for the commercial leasing portfolio, tracking vacancies, upcoming lease expirations, and revenue projections.
- Monitor market trends and proactively provide insights to support strategic leasing decisions.
- Advise schools and departments on space needs and translate program requirements into clear, actionable lease criteria.
Tenant Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong tenant relationships by anticipating concerns, delivering exceptional service, and proactively de-escalating issues.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for tenants, handling inquiries, move-ins, renewals, and lease transitions with minimal oversight.
- Collaborate with Operations and Finance to ensure billing, compliance, and service expectations are met.
Collaboration & Cross-Functional Coordination
- Work effectively with internal teams, including Operations, Finance, Legal, and Planning, while managing your own workload independently.
- Participate in special projects and initiatives, taking ownership of tasks from start to finish.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems, and tenant experience, and implement solutions proactively.
Market & Portfolio Analysis
- Conduct independent research on market rents, vacancy rates, and competitor properties.
- Support financial forecasting, revenue tracking, and portfolio performance reporting, ensuring accuracy and timely submission.
- Provide actionable insights to senior leadership to inform tenant selection, revenue optimization, and asset positioning.
General Responsibilities
- Maintain accurate and complete records for commercial leasing and tenant interactions.
- Take initiative to anticipate needs and resolve challenges without waiting for direction.
- Demonstrate accountability and reliability in all aspects of work.
- Conduct regular site visits and inspections to monitor property conditions and compliance with lease terms.