Requisition ID: 270628
Purpose
Reporting to the VP, Real Estate Strategy & BRM, the Director, Real Estate Strategy is a strategic leader responsible for shaping and advancing Scotiabank's global real estate strategy in alignment with enterprise priorities, business objectives, and regional operating models.
The role provides enterprise-wide strategic decision support through portfolio analysis, external market intelligence, financial modelling, scenario development, and executive-ready recommendations. The Director leads work related to portfolio optimization, market entry and exit considerations, site selection, acquisitions, dispositions, lease strategy, capital planning, and long-term location strategy.
As a trusted advisor to senior leadership, the Director translates complex real estate, market, financial, demographic, and business data into actionable strategies that support sustainable value creation, cost effectiveness, risk mitigation, and the Bank's global growth objectives.
Accountabilities
Global Real Estate Strategy & Portfolio Leadership
• Lead the development of global real estate strategy aligned to the Bank's enterprise objectives, business growth plans, regional operating models, and long-term financial priorities.
• Provide strategic oversight of portfolio optimization, acquisitions, dispositions, lease strategy, site selection, relocations, consolidations, and market entry or exit decisions.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of market trends, demographic shifts, business forecasts, capital requirements, and operating costs to identify opportunities for value creation and risk mitigation.
• Develop executive-ready business cases, scenarios, and recommendations to support strategic real estate decisions and capital investments.
Global Market Intelligence & External Insight
• Establish and lead a global market intelligence capability that provides forward-looking insight into real estate markets, emerging cities, sub-markets, supply and demand dynamics, cost trends, labour considerations, and competitive benchmarks.
• Translate external market data and vendor research into Bank-specific strategic insight that informs growth planning, location strategy, portfolio repositioning, and risk management.
• Monitor economic, demographic, geopolitical, regulatory, and real estate trends to identify emerging opportunities and risks across the global footprint.
• Provide senior leadership with clear market options, strategic implications, and recommended courses of action.
Intelligence Governance
• Act as senior relationship owner for external global market intelligence vendors and advisory partners.
• Define intelligence requirements, data standards, deliverables, and governance expectations to ensure outputs align with Scotiabank's strategic priorities.
• Integrate external market intelligence with internal portfolio, financial, and business information to create a cohesive strategic narrative for executive decision-making.
• Continuously assess vendor performance, relevance, innovation, and value to ensure the Bank maintains best-in-class global market awareness.
Enterprise Partnership, Risk & Leadership
• Partner with Portfolio Management, Finance, Operations, Legal, HR, Technology, and regional leadership to ensure real estate strategies are integrated, feasible, compliant, and value-driven.
• Champion a client-centric culture to deepen client relationships and leverage broader Bank relationships, systems, and knowledge.
• Understand how the Bank's risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in day-to-day activities and decisions.
• Ensure all real estate activities adhere to zoning laws, environmental regulations, internal policies, compliance requirements, and the Bank's risk management framework.
• Create an environment in which the team pursues effective and efficient operations in accordance with Scotiabank's Values, Code of Conduct, and Global Sales Principles, while ensuring appropriate day-to-day business controls are in place to meet operational, compliance, AML/ATF/sanctions, and conduct risk obligations.
• Build a high-performance, inclusive team environment by attracting, retaining, developing, and motivating talent through coaching, succession planning, and clear communication of vision, values, and business strategy.
Reporting Relationships
Primary Manager: VP, Real Estate Strategy & BRM
Direct Reports: To be confirmed
Dimensions
• Leads the development of Scotiabank's global real estate strategy, overseeing a portfolio of 2,100+ locations across 29 countries and approximately $1.3B in capital assets.
• Provides strategic oversight of acquisitions, dispositions, lease strategy, portfolio optimization, market intelligence, and long-term location strategy.
• Conducts analysis of substantial capital and operating budgets to identify cost reduction opportunities, improve portfolio performance, and enhance return on investment.
• Partners with senior leaders across business functions to ensure the real estate portfolio supports enterprise priorities, operational requirements, and long-term strategic goals.
• Ensures all real estate activities adhere to regulatory requirements, internal policies, and the Bank's risk management framework.
Education / Experience / Other Information
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Real Estate, Finance, Economics, Urban Planning, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in real estate strategy, portfolio management, market intelligence, transaction strategy, or management consulting, preferably within a global financial institution or similarly complex organization.
• Demonstrated success aligning real estate strategies with broader organizational goals, enterprise priorities, and financial objectives.
• Proven ability to manage complex international real estate matters, evaluate global market dynamics, and support high-value strategic decisions.
• Deep knowledge of leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, development, construction, operations, valuation, and real estate accounting principles.
• Strong analytical, financial modelling, problem-solving, and strategic planning capabilities, with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear recommendations.
• Demonstrated success in vendor management, contract negotiations, performance assurance, and relationship management with large service providers or advisory partners.
• Well-versed in real estate law, insurance, taxation, appraisal practices, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
• Exceptional communication, executive presentation, stakeholder engagement, and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building capabilities with experience leading geographically dispersed teams.
• Relevant credentials such as IFMA, BOMA, PMP, P.Eng., CFA, or equivalent are considered assets.
Working Conditions
• Work in a standard office-based environment with some flexibility; non-standard hours are a common occurrence.
• The incumbent is expected to rely on good planning and organizational skills to follow up on others to supply information.
Interested?
If your experience is closely related but doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we do encourage you to apply - you might be the right candidate for this or other roles at Scotiabank!
What's in it for you?
Scotiabank wants you to be able to bring your best self to work - and life, every day. With a focus on holistic well-being, our many flexible benefit programs are designed to help support your unique family, financial, physical, mental, and social health needs.
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Location(s): United States : Texas : Dallas
