The Hottest Openings; Insightful Commentary

I was amazed to read an article, in the latest issue of Business Week , entitled, “The Professor is a Headhunter.” The article exposed a growing trend involving corporate recruiters bypassing the campus career office and making “contributions” to a professor’s program or research project in consideration for recommendations on their best students, or those who the professor feels would excel in the company’s environment. The practice even extends to teaching assistants who recommend undergrad stars. These are typically not direct payments, but the article frames a growing movement that appears to have some troublesome blurry lines. I bring this story to your attention because it highlights a fact that we have discussed before: there is serious, and mounting, competition for top young undergraduate and graduate student talent. The big investment banks, consulting companies and Fortune 500s are well-oiled recruiting machines prepared to pull out all the stops to hire the best and the brightest, as compared with real estate’s halfhearted, and often non-existent, campus recruiting efforts. This is important food for thought as the new school year approaches.

Job Opportunities GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. Interiors Project Manager–Headquarters Project (NEW YORK CITY) This position is responsible for overseeing some portion of the design and construction for two million sf of space which will be comprised of six podium trading floors, three amenities floors and approximately 30 office floors. CB RICHARD ELLIS Manager of Operations/Corporate Real Estate Transactions (SEATTLE) Manages and supervises a team of transaction managers and support staff handling all aspects of leased surplus property dispositions, lease renewals and lease acquisitions nationwide. AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES Development Director (SHELTON, CT) The position is responsible for managing all phases of the development of multifamily rental communities. PFIZER Integrated Facilities Management Global Lead (NEW YORK CITY) The hire is responsible for ensuring the successful implementation and ongoing success of a global Integrated Facilities Management Strategy and supporting infrastructure across all company sites. SELECTLEADERS Financial Analyst–Chicago (CHICAGO) The financial analyst provides support by collecting, analyzing and summarizing a variety of financial information, and preparing routine and ad hoc financial reports. NEW YORK CITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP. Project Manager–Real Estate Developmen (NEW YORK CITY) The project manager will be responsible for overseeing and managing several real estate development projects. ERNST AND YOUNG Senior Analyst Transaction Real Estate, Boston (BOSTON) This position typically serves as a member of multiple client engagement teams, where the individual will assist with real estate advisory engagements within a fast-paced, service-oriented business environment. REXFORD Director of Operations/Senior Portfolio Manager (LOS ANGELES) The company seeks a qualified candidate to assume oversight responsibility for property management, construction management and leasing. Promotions OPUS WEST CORP. (SACRAMENTO and PLEASANTON, CA) The company promotes seven employees. Greg Cashen is made project manager in the Bay Area while Jeff Smith rises to vice president of construction for Northern California. In Sacramento, Tom Schaal is promoted to vice president of real estate from senior director. Also in Sacramento, David Smith goes to senior manager of real estate; Steve Vannatta, director of construction; Cindy Olsen, senior project manager; and Steve Boitano, project manager. New Hires CHASE MERRITT (NEWPORT BEACH, CA) Chris Dornin joins as chief investment officer. He previously was a vice president for Buchanan Street Partners. IVY REALTY (MONTVALE, NJ) James P. Dow joins as COO. He most recently was managing director and head of asset management for Barrow Street Capital. SPECTRUS REAL ESTATE GROUP (DALLAS) Rob Agathon is named central regional vice president of sales. He most recently was general sales manager for Moore Wallace, an RR Donnelly Co., where he oversaw a 125-employee team. COLLIERS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY REAL ESTATE GROUP (SEATTLE) Chris McDougall and Drew Kossen begin as senior account manager and associate broker, respectively. MARCUS & MILLICHAP CAPITAL CORP. (FORT WORTH) Scott E. Walton starts as director to lead loan originations for the office. He previously was vice president at Willow Bend Capital Commercial in Fort Worth and BMC Capital LP in Dallas. STRATUS (LOS ANGELES) Jennifer Stripe joins as a research and planning consultant. She previously was associate director at the University of California, Los Angeles’ center for student development and well being. ML REALTY PARTNERS (ITASCA, IL) Nancy Kozinski starts as a director to oversee leasing and management for part of the Midwest portfolio. She most recently was a senior property manager for Equity Office Properties. CB RICHARD ELLIS (WASHINGTON, DC) Jeffrey Barlow and Megan Pawlowski come aboard as senior real estate managers for the asset services team. Barlow most recently was with ProLogis while Pawlowski had been general manager for Glenborough LLC. Emma Hoyer starts as senior real estate manager in the Baltimore office after working with Liberty Property Trust in Columbia, MD.