Careers in Commercial Real Estate
Job Descriptions
The commercial real estate industry is vast and offers many different career paths. Below are some common roles within the industry accompanied by a short description of each. We hope this helps provide you with an introduction to the commercial real estate industry.
Opportunities
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Broker:
Person licensed to negotiate and arrange real estate transactions for a fee. In commercial real estate, the transactions either a lease or sale of investment property.
Leasing Agent:
Means “any person who represents, or acts for or on behalf of, a developer in selling or leasing, or offering to sell or lease, any lot or lots in a subdivision.”
Investment Sales Broker:
Person who focuses on the sale of investment property from one entity to another for a transaction fee.
Mortgage Broker:
Person who acts as an intermediary who brokers mortgage loans on behalf of individuals or businesses for purchase of commercial real estate and property.
Tenant Rep Broker:
Person who is a licensed broker who focuses on representing tenants in their quest for new space or renewal in their existing space.
Property Manager:
Person or firm charged with operating real estate property for a fee, when the owner is unable to personally attend to such details, or is not interested in doing so. Commercial Real Estate managers may manage operations of a shopping center, office building, medical center, industrial property or apartment complex.
Developer:
Person that buys land, finances real estate deals, builds or has builders build projects, creates, imagines, controls and orchestrates the process of development from beginning to end.
Landlord/Investor:
A real estate owner who rents or leases property / person who invests money in order to make a profit (e.g., TEITs, private investors or partnerships, insurance companies, pension fund advisor firms).
Lender:
An entity that advances cash to a borrower for a stated period and for a fixed or variable rate of interest (e.g., insurance companies, banks).
Appraiser:
Person who performs a judgement or assessment of the value of something (e.g., real estate).
Architect:
Professional who deigns buildings or other structures, or who prepares plans and superintends construction.
Building Engineer:
Person or firm that supports the property manager or landlord/investor by performing or overseeing a commercial building’s maintenance and operations.
Project Engineer:
Bridges the boundaries between engineering and project management, leading the technical workers who contribute to the building of structures or products.
Construction Manager:
Person who ensures that the various stages of the construction process are completed in a timely and seamless fashion from beginning.
Designer:
Person who may help draw space plans, creates, and often executes plans for a property renovation or tenant improvement project.
Marketing Director:
Real estate marketing directors are responsible for establishing, promoting and maintaining their company’s brand to generate business. They’re charged with developing strategies and executing tactics that communicate their company’s brand message.
Operations Directors:
Develop and implement strategic plans to increase efficiency and effectiveness within a business, organization, or institution.
Surveyor:
A person who examines the condition of land and buildings professionally.
Land Surveyor:
Is an individual who carries out surveys to determine the boundary lines for a particular parcel of land and the placement of structures on the land.
Mechanical Contractors:
Are responsible for installing the plumbing, vetilation, air conditioning, heating and refrigeration systems in buildings.
Business Development Manager:
Works to improve an organizations’s market position and achieve financial growth. This person defines long-term organizational strategic goals, builds key customer relationships, identifies business opportunities, negotiates and closes business deals and maintains extensive knowledge of current market conditions.
Real Estate Attorneys:
Are legal professionals who specialize in the legal aspects of buying and selling real estate properties.
Real Estate Accountants:
Provide financial strategies and prepare reports on behalf of property owners and real estate developers. They participate in planning, investment, budget and tax reporting activities.