Program Director, Real Estate
City: West Lafayette
Job Description:
Job SummaryReporting to the Senior Director/Academic Director, the Program Director serves as the senior operational and external-facing leader of the program. This highly visible role will drive industry engagement, advance student success, and strengthen Purdue's reputation as a destination for real estate education and talent development.
This role is ideal for a strategic relationship-builder who is passionate about connecting students with opportunities, engaging industry partners, and helping develop the next generation of leaders in commercial real estate.
What You'll Be Doing- Building and growing relationships with commercial real estate professionals, employers, alumni, donor partners, and industry leaders to expand opportunities for Purdue students.
- Connecting students with internships, mentorships, networking opportunities, industry projects, and full-time career pathways through strategic employer partnerships.
- Leading signature program experiences, including case competitions, industry speaker series, networking events, career treks, receptions, and professional development programs.
- Collaborating with faculty, school leadership, advancement, marketing and communications, and the Purdue Real Estate Advisory Council to advance program priorities and strengthen industry engagement.
- Identifying emerging industry trends and market opportunities to help shape program strategy, partnerships, and future growth initiatives.
- Supporting fundraising, sponsorship, and donor engagement efforts that enhance student experiences and program impact.
- Monitoring and reporting key program outcomes, including student engagement, internship placement, employer participation, and career success metrics.
- Providing leadership and supervision for program staff while fostering a collaborative, student-centered culture focused on excellence and innovation.
A cover letter is required to be fully consideredWhat We're Looking For: Education and ExperienceQualified candidates will need:
- Bachelor's degree.
- Eight years of experience in strategic planning, partnership development, project management, and leadership in an industry or academic context.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends and to travel domestically as required.
Skills needed:
- Demonstrated record of building partnerships, particularly in real estate, development, or a related industry sector.
- Demonstrated record of building and sustaining partnerships with senior external stakeholders.
- Experience managing budgets, vendors, and complex multi-stakeholder initiatives.
- Supervisory experience.
- Excellent written and oral communication, including the ability to represent the program credibly in front of senior industry, donor, and university audiences.
- Ability to coordinate numerous projects simultaneously and to maintain momentum across a broad external portfolio.
- Effective people manager who can develop staff and address performance concerns directly.
- Ability to work with a high degree of independence while exercising disciplined judgment about escalation.
- Strong project management, budget management, and analytical skills.
- Ability to work effectively with faculty on shared initiatives while respecting the academic mission of the program.
- Ability to effectively work with faculty, advisory council members, donors, alumni, corporate partners, and students
What is helpful:
- An advanced degree in a relevant field such as business, real estate, public administration, planning, architecture, engineering, or economics.
- Direct experience in commercial real estate development, investment, or economic development.
- Familiarity with Indiana real estate markets and Indiana institutional relationships.
- Prior experience in a higher education, foundation, or nonprofit setting.
- Experience with advisory councils, donor stewardship, or alumni engagement.
- Professional credentials in real estate, planning, or finance.
Additional Information:- To learn more about Purdue's benefits summary CLICK HERE
- The salary for this position ranges from $98,100 to $136,500 annually, based on experience and skills.
- Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
- A background check will be required for employment in this position
- FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
- Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions immediately
Career StreamProfessional 5
- Pay Band S085
- Job Code #20003743
Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php
