Associate II, Real Estate & Support

Strategic Real Estate Professional

Join FNBO's Buildings division as a strategic real estate professional who will serve as our lease portfolio expert across our 120-branch network spanning 9 Midwestern states. In this pivotal role, you'll negotiate high-value commercial leases, leverage cutting-edge AI technology to enhance lease administration, and serve as the central authority on our real estate portfolio. You'll build meaningful relationships with landlords, tenants, and internal stakeholders while driving operational excellence and cost efficiency in our real estate operations. This role offers the unique opportunity to blend traditional commercial real estate expertise with innovative technology adoption, making a measurable impact on FNBO's facility operations and bottom line.

About This Role:

1. Lease Negotiation & Administration

• Lead high-stakes lease negotiations for FNBO leased space and third-party tenant agreements, securing favorable terms that balance operational needs with cost efficiency
• Orchestrate seamless move-in processes by coordinating lease execution, security deposits, vendor setup, rent payments, keys, build-out coordination, and tenant improvement allowances
• Partner strategically with Projects, Property, and Security teams to ensure successful occupancy transitions
• Cultivate and maintain productive relationships with landlords and tenants throughout the entire lease lifecycle
• Engage and manage real estate brokers to market vacant space and properties, coordinating showings and optimizing occupancy rates
• Prepare and ensure compliance with intercompany lease documents per Regulation W/23A requirements
• Conduct market analysis to review competitive rent information and adjust lease terms accordingly
• Obtain landlord approvals for major renovations, alterations, and capital improvements
• Manage insurance compliance for all tenant and landlord relationships

2. Lease Database Management & AI Innovation

• Champion the use of AI tools to abstract lease agreements, improving efficiency and accuracy in document processing
• Own and enhance the comprehensive lease database by summarizing key lease terms, critical dates, notice requirements, and rent adjustment schedules
• Ensure 100% compliance with all legal and lease requirements by proactively monitoring and meeting deadlines
• Provide strategic alerts to management regarding upcoming renewals, rent changes, and other key lease milestones
• Support continuous improvement in lease management processes through technology adoption and best practices

3. Financial Administration - Rent Payables & Receivables

• Manage all financial aspects of third-party tenant rent, including adjustments and collections
• Generate and deliver annual operating expense reconciliations for third-party tenants with accuracy and timeliness
• Process and verify all rent payments for leased space, ensuring timely payment and correct amounts in partnership with Accounting
• Review and analyze annual operating expense reconciliations for all leased properties, identifying discrepancies and cost-saving opportunities

4. Business Intelligence & Reporting

• Create and deliver standardized and ad hoc management reporting to support strategic decision-making:
• Annual Lease Schedule
• OCC/Federal Reserve Joint Examination reports
• Rent Rolls and comprehensive lease analytics
• Cost analysis and portfolio performance metrics
• Provide insights through data analysis that inform real estate strategy and budgeting

5. Utility Account Optimization

• Partner with third-party vendors to manage utility account setups for new locations and closures
• Ensure timely processing of all utility invoices and prevent service interruptions
• Analyze utility data to identify cost-saving opportunities and efficiency improvements
• Monitor and minimize late fees and service penalties

6. Contract & Purchase Order Coordination

• Collaborate with Buildings teams and Enterprise Sourcing to establish blanket purchase orders for new vendor contracts supporting recurring services and projects
• Maintain accuracy of all purchase orders when contracts are amended or terminated
• Ensure seamless vendor transitions and uninterrupted service delivery

The Ideal Candidate for This Role:

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, or related field
• 5+ years of commercial real estate lease administration experience, including:
• Negotiating, reviewing, and preparing lease agreements and amendments
• Managing lease portfolios with demonstrated success in securing favorable terms
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel (including complex formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis)
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to interpret complex lease documents and identify key terms and risks
• Exceptional customer service orientation with consultative skills and demonstrated responsiveness to stakeholder needs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for negotiation and stakeholder management

Highly Desired

• Experience with lease administration software (Archibus or similar platforms)
• Demonstrated success leveraging AI tools to enhance lease creation, abstracting, and portfolio management
• Professional certification such as RPA (Real Property Administrator), or paralegal certification
• Financial analysis and budgeting experience related to real estate operations
• Project management experience coordinating cross-functional teams
• Vendor relationship management and contract negotiation expertise

Core competencies & professional expectations

Professional Excellence

• Exhibit professional behavior and be proactive and respectful in all relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Promote positive, constructive, collaborative working relationships with all staff members
• Exercise willingness to serve as a resource to colleagues, sharing expertise and supporting team success
• Practice FNBO values and actively support organizational goals and strategic plans
• Proactively work to improve team and organizational effectiveness through innovation and best practices
• Complete special projects as assigned within established timeframes
• Demonstrate accountability for continuous best efforts to deliver exceptional results

Key Attributes for Success

• Strategic thinking balanced with attention to detail
• Strong business acumen with understanding of financial impacts
• Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic environment
• Integrity and ethical judgment in all dealings
• Solution-oriented mindset with creative problem-solving abilities
• Technology embracing attitude with eagerness to learn new tools

Candidates must possess unrestricted work authorization and not require future sponsorship.

Compensation range (base pay): $63,288.00-$104,425.00

This role may have a specific starting pay within this range.

Final compensation offer to candidate may vary from posted hiring range based upon work experience, education, and/or skill level.

Work Environment:

It is anticipated that the incumbent in this role will work in a hybrid capacity, balancing in-person collaboration three (3) days a week with remote flexibility two (2) days a week. As part of our team, you'll experience the energy and relationship-building of face-to-face collaboration while still enjoying the flexibility of remote workdays. We provide the tools and technology to ensure seamless transitions between work environments, supporting your productivity wherever you are. Please note that work location is subject to change based on business needs.

Benefits Overview:

We offer a variety of benefits designed to keep you and your family physically and financially healthy. Not only do we offer a competitive salary and work-life balance, we offer benefits to match your needs:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• 401k, With Matching Contributions
• Time Off Programs
• Health Savings Account (HSA)/Dependent Care
• Employee Banking
• Growth Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Short-Term/Long-Term Disability Insurance
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