Director, Real Property

Position Overview:

Harris County is the nation’s third-most populous and one of the fastest-growing counties, with recent data showing the highest numeric growth in the country for 2023-2024. The Office of the County Engineer (OCE) is the engine driving Harris County's development, safety, and resilience. Guided by the Harris County Commissioners’ Court, this department is responsible for a vast range of essential projects and services that impact more than 4.7 million residents across the county, including Houston and the surrounding areas.

The Real Property Director plays an instrumental role in advancing the Office of the County Engineer’s objectives by facilitating strategic real estate initiatives. The Director will develop, analyze, and negotiate complex real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and leases on behalf of the Office of the County Engineer. This position drafts, reviews, and issues letters of intent, memoranda of understanding, offer packages, counteroffers, listing agreements, purchase and sale agreements, leases, licenses, operation and maintenance agreements, easements, and right-of-way agreements. With a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach, the Director will ensure the seamless progression of all active projects, carefully evaluating, reviewing, and monitoring each phase.

Job Duties:

• 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.

Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Real Estate, or another relevant field.

Experience:

• 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, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• 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.

Preferences:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Real Estate, or another relevant field.

Experience:

• 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, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• 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.

General Information:

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.

Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.

Salary: Commensurate experience, based on 26 pay periods.

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:

• Most assignments will be performed in an office, meeting, or operations command center environment, but some field work may be required. May be required to work extended work hours during activation of disaster recovery operations for an unspecified length of time (varies based on the extent of the event).
• This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting to 25 lbs., frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and ascending/descending stairs.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

FEATURED BENEFITS:

Medical, vision, and dental insurance.

Wellness.

Professional development opportunities.

Flexible spending accounts.

457 deferred compensation plans.

Retirement pension (TCDRS).

Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).

Disability and life insurance.

Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).