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Office of the County Engineer · 3 hours ago

Director, Real Property

Houston, TX

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

10+ years exp

The Office of the County Engineer is responsible for essential projects impacting over 4.7 million residents in Harris County. The Real Property Director will lead strategic real estate initiatives, manage complex transactions, and ensure compliance with legal requirements while overseeing a high-performing team.

Government Administration

Comp. & Benefits

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership and oversight of Harris County’s real estate acquisition, disposition, and management programs, encompassing easements, rights-of-way, residential, commercial, industrial, and other property interests

Directs and ensures compliance with all legal, regulatory, and policy requirements governing County real estate transactions, safeguarding County interests and assets

Oversees complex negotiations, purchases, sales, and leases; establishes acquisition and disposition strategies; and approves key terms and conditions in alignment with County objectives

Serves as the County’s principal liaison on real estate matters with elected officials, department leadership, property owners, developers, legal counsel, consultants, and external agencies

Guides due diligence, appraisals, title reviews, and valuation processes to determine fair market value and ensure sound financial decisions

Establishes and enforces internal policies, performance standards, and procedures for real property operations and documentation management

Provides executive review and approval of offer packages, purchase agreements, counter offers, and financial projections to support transparency and fiscal accountability

Leads multi-disciplinary coordination with engineers, attorneys, economic development teams, utilities, and external partners to advance County infrastructure and capital improvement projects

Evaluates and determines the appropriate type and extent of property rights required for County projects, recommending acquisition methods and mitigation strategies

Directs the preparation and procurement of independent appraisals, environmental studies, and related professional services in support of County initiatives

Develops and mentors a high-performing real estate team through coaching, performance management, and professional development; recommends recognition or corrective action as appropriate

Oversee OCE parking operations, including policies, budgets, contracts, facilities, and technology to ensure efficient, secure, and customer-focused service across all parking assets

Lead and develop the Parking Team, drive performance and compliance, and strengthen processes for access control, revenue management, maintenance, and emergency readiness

Serves as the County’s subject matter expert on real property policy and practice; advises executive leadership on strategic land use, asset management, and development opportunities

Leads special initiatives, continuous improvement efforts, and cross-departmental collaborations to optimize operational efficiency and service delivery

Performs other executive duties as assigned in support of departmental and Countywide goals

Qualification

Real estate transactionsContract managementReal estate appraisalFinancial managementMarket trend analysisLeadership experienceNegotiation skillsPerformance managementTeam collaborationCommunication skills

Required

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Real Estate, or another relevant field

Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in general real estate transactions or related project, program, or contract management, including responsibility for contract/document preparation

Five (5) years of Supervisory/Leadership experience in the public or private real estate industry

Knowledge of real estate appraisal, acquisition, leasing, condemnation, licensing, contracts, title work, and closing processes

Knowledge of operations, services, and activities related to land acquisition, tax foreclosure proceedings, leasing, and abandonments

Knowledge of laws, codes, and regulations governing the sale and disposition of surplus and tax-foreclosed properties

Skilled in the principles and practices of real property acquisition, including eminent domain processes, property appraisals, and leasing strategies

In-depth understanding of current real estate market trends, enabling informed decision-making and strategic planning

Proficient in overseeing land acquisition processes and managing property transactions through completion

Experienced in budget preparation and financial management, ensuring responsible fiscal planning and resource allocation

Familiarity with best practices in managing operations within large, fast-moving, and complex organizations

Proven ability to lead by example while driving accountability, teamwork, and high performance

Strong leadership abilities in supervision, training, and performance management, fostering a productive and efficient team environment

Strong communicator with the ability to build trust, negotiate effectively, and maintain productive relationships across all levels

Collaborative leader who works effectively with peers, executive leadership, and external stakeholders to move initiatives forward

Preferred