At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence.
We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go.
Join EY and help to build a better working world.
Would you like to work for a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction, and advisory services with over 250.000 people around the world? Would you like to be part of a global Supply Chain Services - Real Estate Services team that employs innovation and technology to disrupt the status quo and generate business value? Would you like to play a role in building a better working world every day? If so, you will want to read this.
About Supply Chain Services
Our global Procurement team includes more than 300 people working across 31 countries. We are relentless trendsetters, employing the latest in innovation and technology to better service the business. In a world of disruption, we embrace transformation and work to find best-in-class services and suppliers to help us stay ahead of the curve. We are responsible for sourcing across four categories of spend:
- Real Estate (including Workplace Services and Real Estate Technology and Innovation)
- Technology Sourcing & External Content
- Travel, Meetings & Events (including Brand, Marketing and Communications)
- Talent
The opportunity
The Regional Real Estate Leader serves as the senior strategic advisor for the UK&I real estate portfolio, responsible for aligning workplace, portfolio, capital investment and location strategies with EY's business objectives, workforce priorities and financial goals.
The role leads the development and execution of the UK&I Real Estate Strategy, overseeing approximately 1.4 million square feet of office accommodation across ~28 locations and supporting annual occupancy expenditure of approximately £112 million. The portfolio includes major headquarters investments, workplace transformation programmes, lease transactions, workplace experience initiatives and sustainability objectives.
Acting as the primary interface between business leadership, operations, talent, finance, technology and external partners, the Regional Real Estate Leader ensures that real estate decisions deliver measurable value, support talent attraction and retention, optimize financial performance and provide a future-ready workplace experience.
This role combines portfolio strategy, capital planning, governance, stakeholder engagement and execution leadership to drive long-term value across one of EY's largest and most visible regional portfolios.
Your key responsibilities
Portfolio Strategy & Business Alignment
- Develop and execute an EY UK&I Real Estate Strategy aligned with EY's business, workforce and growth priorities.
- Advise EY UK&I Executive Leadership on portfolio optimization, location strategy and future workplace requirements.
- Translate global workplace strategy into regional portfolio plans and investment roadmaps.
- Develop evidence-based recommendations balancing financial performance, employee experience, sustainability and operational effectiveness.
Portfolio Management
- Maintain strategic oversight of the EY UK&I real estate portfolio.
- Lead lease renewals, acquisitions, disposals, relocations and portfolio optimization initiatives.
- Monitor workplace utilization, occupancy costs and market opportunities, this includes regular benchmarking of the market.
- Identify opportunities to reduce risk, increase flexibility and improve portfolio performance.
Capital Projects & Workplace Transformation
- Sponsor major workplace, relocation and refurbishment programmes.
- Lead business case development for significant capital investments.
- Ensure projects align with approved scope, budget, schedule and business outcomes.
- Oversee governance processes, investment approvals and benefits realisation.
Financial Leadership
- Own regional real estate financial planning, forecasting and performance reporting.
- Develop investment strategies supporting long-term portfolio objectives.
- Manage occupancy costs, capital investment priorities and portfolio efficiency programmes.
- Drive value creation through effective capital deployment and commercial negotiations.
Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Establish robust governance across real estate transactions and capital programmes.
- Ensure compliance with EY procurement, independence, legal and regulatory requirements.
- Manage portfolio risks and mitigation strategies.
- Provide executive reporting and portfolio performance insights.
Stakeholder Leadership
- Act as the trusted advisor to the EY UK&I business leadership on real estate matters.
- Build strong relationships with Service Line leaders, CBS functions and Global Real Estate teams.
- Influence strategic decisions through data, market intelligence and scenario planning.
- Create alignment across diverse stakeholder groups with competing priorities.
Supplier & Partner Management
- Lead relationships with brokers, workplace consultants, legal advisers.
- Ensure suppliers deliver against contractual, financial and performance expectations.
- Promote innovation and continuous improvement across the supplier ecosystem.
People Leadership
- Lead a multidisciplinary team through a matrix structure.
- Understand resourcing requirements and plan effectively.
- Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture.
The successful candidate will demonstrate
Strategic Leadership
- Ability to connect real estate strategy to wider business, talent and financial objectives.
Commercial Acumen
- Strong understanding of portfolio economics, lease structures, capital investment and business case development.
Executive Influence
- Ability to build trust and influence senior stakeholders without direct authority.
Change Leadership
- Proven experience leading complex transformation programmes in multi-stakeholder environments.
Data-Driven Decision Making
- Ability to translate market intelligence, portfolio analytics and workforce trends into actionable recommendations.
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree/qualification in Real Estate, Construction, or related discipline.
- Professional qualification such as MRICS or equivalent would be beneficial.
- 10+ years leadership experience within corporate real estate, workplace strategy or portfolio management.
- Experience managing complex and diverse portfolios.
- Strong commercial, contractual and negotiating capability. A solid knowledge of Associated legal requirements.
- Demonstrated experience developing real estate business cases and securing executive approval.
- Demonstrated experience of managing in a matrix organisation.
- Digitally proficient with a good understanding of real estate technology platforms. Adept in using Microsoft Office.
Supervision Responsibilities
- Day to day management of one part-time payments resource and one contracted resource.
- Manages and oversees regional team(s) – inclusive of extended teams e.g. Corporates Services, Brokers, PMs etc
- Manages supplier / vendor and service provider relationships
What We Offer You
At EY, we’ll develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences. We’ll empower you in a flexible environment, and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learn more.
To help create an equitable and inclusive experience during the recruitment process, please inform us as soon as possible about any disability-related adjustments or accommodations you may need.
EY | Building a better working world
EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.
Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.
EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
UKI Regional Real Estate Leader employer: EY
EY is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture in Birmingham, providing employees with the opportunity to lead complex tax engagements for prestigious multinational clients. With a strong emphasis on professional development, EY offers extensive training and growth opportunities, ensuring that you can advance your career while making a meaningful impact in the dynamic field of corporate tax.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land UKI Regional Real Estate Leader
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like EY.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like EY? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit EY's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the UKI Regional Real Estate Leader role at EY, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at EY
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where EY operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to EY. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at EY.
