About Cognizant Corporate
Cognizant Corporate is a global community united by a shared purpose: to make a meaningful impact. We are committed to excellence and driven by outcomes that matter. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work, and our forward-thinking mindset fuels continuous learning, innovation, and growth.
At Cognizant, careers transcend titles. We empower our people to think strategically, inspire others, and lead with purpose – always guided by our core values. Join us in shaping future of business.
Role Purpose
- The Senior Manager – Real Estate Business Partner, Americas shall be responsible for leading the strategic alignment between business objectives and real estate initiatives across the region.
- This role shall serves as the primary advisor to senior business stakeholders, ensuring real estate decisions support organizational growth, financial performance, operational continuity, and an exceptional workplace experience.
- The position shall oversee end‑to‑end portfolio strategy, space planning, transactions, governance, and financial stewardship across offices, sites, and related facilities within the Americas.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Real Estate Partnership
- Act as the chief liaison between business units and the corporate real estate function, translating business needs into real estate strategies and actionable plans.
- Lead regional portfolio planning efforts, including consolidations, expansions, relocations, lease renewals, and long‑range occupancy strategies.
- Provide strategic insights to executive leadership based on market trends, workforce evolution, and operational requirements.
- Portfolio & Workplace Management
- Oversee the performance, utilization, and operational efficiency of the Americas real estate portfolio.
- Drive workplace solutions that support productivity, hybrid work models, employee engagement, and brand representation.
- Partner with Workplace Services, Facilities, Project Delivery, IT, and HR to ensure smooth execution of space‑related initiatives.
- Transactions & Financial Stewardship
- Lead lease negotiations, site acquisitions, dispositions, and transaction due diligence in collaboration with internal teams and external brokers.
- Develop business cases, financial models, and ROI assessments for capital projects or real estate investment decisions.
- Own regional real estate budgeting, forecasting, cost optimization, and financial reporting.
- Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Ensure all real estate activities adhere to internal policies, financial controls, regulatory requirements, and legal standards.
- Identify portfolio risks, develop mitigation strategies, and proactively manage compliance and audit readiness.
- Maintain accurate records, approvals, and documentation in alignment with corporate governance processes.
- Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build trusted relationships with senior leaders across HR, Finance, Legal, Procurement, Operations, and Technology.
- Communicate portfolio strategy, project pipelines, key decisions, and financial impacts to leadership and regional teams.
- Lead change management efforts for new real estate initiatives, workplace transitions, and strategic programs.
- Vendor & Partner Management
- Manage relationships with external brokers, landlords, consultants, and third‑party service providers to ensure high‑quality service delivery.
- Oversee contract negotiations, performance metrics, and compliance standards for all real estate partners.
Key Interfaces
- General Counsel
- Global & Regional CRE Leadership
- Legal, Ethics & Compliance
- Finance & FP&A
- Procurement & Vendor Management
- Security, EHS, BCM, and Risk teams
Key Metrics / Success Indicators
- Portfolio cost optimization and financial performance.
- Successful execution of major real estate transactions and workplace projects.
- Occupancy accuracy, utilization effectiveness, and workplace satisfaction scores.
- Timeliness and quality of business case submissions and reporting.
- Stakeholder satisfaction and leadership alignment.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business Administration, Architecture, Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
- 10+ years in corporate real estate, portfolio management, or related fields.
Proven leadership experience managing multi‑site portfolios across the Americas.
- Strong track record of real estate strategy execution, financial analysis, and large‑scale stakeholder management.
Critical Skills & Competencies
- Expertise in portfolio strategy, lease negotiation, and financial modeling.
- Strong understanding of workplace strategies, market evaluation, and capital planning.
- Proficiency in real estate systems, project management tools, and financial analysis software.
- Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
- Excellent communication and executive‑level presentation skills.
Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence without authority.
- High attention to detail and strong decision‑making capabilities.
- Ability to manage ambiguity and navigate complex organizational structures.
