Associate General Counsel/Real Estate Property Manager

As North Carolina’s urban research university, UNC Charlotte is a diverse and inclusive institution with local-to-global impact that transforms lives, communities, and industries through access and affordability, exemplary bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional programs, scholarship, creative work, innovation, and service. The Office of Legal Affairs provides comprehensive legal advice and assistance on matters involving or affecting UNC Charlotte to the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, the other senior administrators of the University, and through them, to the University’s faculty and staff.

Primary Purpose of Position

Attorneys in the Office of Legal Affairs provide comprehensive legal advice and assistance to UNC Charlotte, and have challenging, wide-ranging practices that often require handling multiple unrelated—and often unfamiliar—matters concurrently. The Associate General Counsel/Real Property Manager must be able to complete complex projects both independently and with direction from the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and General Counsel, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and Deputy General Counsel, and the Senior Associate General Counsels, with a focus on the real estate interests of the University. This role also serves as the University’s Real Property Manager, coordinating all real property-related reporting to the UNC System Office and State Property Office, and overseeing both transactional and property management functions as they relate to University-held assets.

Summary of Position Responsibilities

• Managing UNC Charlotte’s real property portfolio as the University’s Real Property Manager, including coordination with the UNC System Office and State Property Office for submitting real property reports related to its Millennial Campus and associated entities and endowment fund.
• Chairing and convening the campus property review committee.
• Preparing materials for the Board of Trustees (BOT) and coordinating with the UNC System Office for Board of Governors (BOG) approvals, ensuring records are maintained in various real property reporting systems.
• Reviewing, redlining, and negotiating real estate documents and transactions, including development agreements, land acquisition, subdivision, zoning, easements, rights of entry, rights of way, leases, licenses, co-location, and public way rights.
• Drafting and reviewing complex commercial contracts, corporate entity documents, and filings.
• Overseeing University property management functions, including managing leases where the University is the landlord, coordinating with Facilities Management for services (e.g., custodial, maintenance), and handling financial tasks such as rent collection.
• Maintaining relationships with external brokers, including managing brokerage contracts and overseeing advertisements/proposals in the leasing process.
• Collaborating with Facilities Management to obtain real property surveys, environmental reports, and title policies for University acquisitions.
• Managing legal documents for multiple real estate and construction projects on expedited schedules.
• Facilitating discussions of land and property issues with appropriate administrators, directors, faculty, staff, and program areas.
• Collaborating with Business Affairs to establish goals, policies, standards, and procedures for real property acquisition, planning, development, and use.
• Assisting Business Affairs and Research in managing leased and licensed spaces and establishing related policies and procedures.
• Assisting University associated entities in real property transactions.
• Maintaining organized and complete records of all real property matters.
• Maintaining good working relationships with campus partners for successful contract negotiations and real property transactions.
• Consulting and advising the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and General Counsel, as well as other senior administrators, on applicable laws, regulations, and UNC System policies related to real property.
• Assisting with long-range planning for the University’s real property holdings and related matters.
• Preparing presentations and leading special project initiatives related to land and property matters.

Minimum Education/Experience

• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• At least five (5) years of legal practice experience in real estate transactions, including contract review, drafting, and negotiation (e.g., leases, easements, development agreements).

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• In-depth understanding of and experience with a university’s real property transactions, including applicable policies, procedures, and practices, as well as the preparation and submission of reports to governance bodies.
• Proven experience in managing commercial property transactions, including brokerage and property management services, either in-house or through external contractors.
• Prior in-depth real property practice experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department, with demonstrated ability to handle transactions such as land acquisition, leasing, and disposition of real estate.
• Experience in North Carolina government land management, including oversight of acquisitions and dispositions, ensuring compliance with statutes, contracts, and land use laws.
• Experience coordinating long-range development planning for public land and preparing materials for governance boards to secure approvals.
• Proven ability to review and assess real property appraisals, considering factors that affect the value of the property and making informed recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex legal principles and real estate matters clearly to senior administrators, staff, and faculty.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate with a wide variety of stakeholders, including Facilities Management, Business Affairs, external brokers, and university leadership.
• High moral and ethical standards that reflect honesty, integrity, and reliability in professional practice.
• Strong work ethic, self-starter mentality, and ability to manage multiple deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to engage and include individuals of diverse backgrounds, identities, and abilities, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Necessary Certifications/Licenses

• Must have a current license to practice law in North Carolina, or obtain such license within one year of employment.
• Must be currently licensed in good standing without any instances of suspension, revocation, censure or other adverse events in any jurisdiction.

Preferred Certifications/Licenses

Special Notes to Applicants

• UNC Charlotte Benefits Information:
• Finalists will be subject to a criminal background check.
• Review of applications will begin immediately. While the position will remain open until filled, applications received on or before November 17, 2024 will receive priority consideration.

Posting Open Date

10/08/2024

Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Proposed Hire Date

01/06/2025

If time-limited please indicate appointment end date

Contact Information

Please contact Melanie White, Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and General Counsel, at with any questions.