Director of Real Estate & Workplace Experience - Administration

Latham & Watkins is a global law firm consistently ranked among the top firms in the world. The success of our firm is largely determined by our commitment to hire and develop the very best and brightest, creating a team that provides our clients with the highest quality of work and service. We are driven by our core values: respect, innovation, and collaboration.  

The Director of Real Estate & Workplace Experience - Administration is an integral part of Latham’s Real Estate and Workplace Experience team and will be responsible for playing a crucial supporting role in driving strategic initiatives across leasing, program management, administrative management, and communication strategy, while overseeing the implementation of strategic projects, ensuring they align with organizational priorities and are completed on time and within scope, applying adaptability and resilience to navigate changing circumstances and challenges. This role will be located in our New York office. Please note that this role requires an in-office presence of at least 3 days a week.

Lease Administration:

• Supporting the lease administration process by assisting in the negotiation of complex lease agreements, ensuring compliance with legal and financial obligations, and maintaining accurate records of all real estate transactions
• Working collaboratively to optimize lease terms and ensure all contractual obligations are efficiently met with a high level of attention to detail and administrative organization

Program Management:

• Assisting in the planning, execution, and tracking of department projects and initiatives, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards
• Supporting cross-functional teams, coordinating resources effectively, and implementing industry best practices to drive project success and innovation

Administrative & Communication Strategy:

• Ensuring efficient departmental operations by managing budgets and engaging with leadership and stakeholders to align on goals
  
• Providing data analysis and insights of the department’s productivity and initiatives, while suggesting strategies to improve workflow, teamwork, and communication
• Developing and sharing communication strategies to convey the department's initiatives, crafting compelling messages, managing channels, and ensuring alignment with the firm's overall strategy

 Other key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the Chief Officer in developing strategic plans and initiatives by providing data-driven insights and analysis, as well as drawing upon knowledge of business and finance to inform strategic decision-making
• Developing and nurturing relationships with key stakeholders, including vendors, clients, and internal teams, to foster collaboration and drive mutual goals, while utilizing strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain these relationships effectively
• Identifying potential risks related to real estate and workplace experience, implementing strategies to mitigate them, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, as well as applying strong analytical skills to assess complex situations and make informed decisions
• Analyzing and evaluating the performance of workplace experience initiatives and projects using data-driven insights, and making strategic recommendations for improvements, while demonstrating attention to detail and problem-solving abilities to enhance project outcomes
• Facilitating cross-departmental collaboration to promote integrated solutions and enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness in achieving firm-wide objectives; leveraging teamwork and collaboration skills to ensure seamless operations
• Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains 

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Demonstrate excellent leadership skills (i.e., organizing, planning, problem-solving, and decision making) necessary for effective management with the ability to lead multiple teams
• Display knowledge of project management principles
• Possess the ability to review and negotiate contracts for the firm

And have:

• A bachelor's degree or an equivalent
• A JD or master’s degree in Business Administration or related field, preferably.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible operations or related experience at a multi-office professional services organization
• A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience at a professional services organization 
• Experience with budgeting and general accounting procedures, preferably

Successful candidates will not only be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and welcoming environment, but will also be provided with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham’s comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Healthcare, life and disability insurance
• A generous 401k plan
• At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure
• Well-being programs (e.g. mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well-being events, and more)
• Professional Development programs
• Employee discounts
• And more!

Additionally, we have a range of diversity programming including Global Affinity Groups. These groups provide a firmwide platform to share experiences and advice as well as an opportunity to participate in a supportive network with common interests to help make life at the firm even better.

Please click here to view the full job description for this role.

Latham & Watkins is committed to diversity, equal opportunity, sustainability, and pro bono legal services. We draw from a remarkable wealth of talent to create one of the world's leading law firms, and advance these commitments through the work of our Global Citizenship department. Our lawyers, paralegals, and professional staff worldwide comprise a rich mixture of different races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations, cultures, and primary languages. Our diversity makes us who we are. 

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