GRE Commercial Lead

Head of Global Real Estate Strategy & Transactions

Troy, MI

Help shape the future of mobility.

Why join Aptiv? You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge applications, develop breakthrough technologies, and deliver innovative solutions to some of the world’s leading automotive brands. See your work come to life on the road—helping make mobility safer, greener, and more connected. Ready to shape the future of mobility with us?

This is a newly established position and will have the unique opportunity to develop high performing payroll processes at the new US global headquarters in Troy, Michigan for a new public company to be spun out from Aptiv in 2026.

YOUR ROLE

• Lead the commercial and financial strategy for global real estate operations, supporting portfolio optimization, capital planning and lease administration.
• Partner with internal teams (finance, legal, procurement, facilities) and external vendors to drive value across real estate transactions and service agreements.
• Manage global supplier relationships and performance across FM, construction, and CRE partners, ensuring cost efficiency and SLA adherence.
• Oversee budgets, forecasts, and contract negotiations for owned and leased properties, aligning with enterprise objectives.
• Support executive decision-making with analytics on total cost of ownership, occupancy metrics, and scenario modeling.

Key Responsibilities

Real Estate Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Support and execute global real estate strategy, ensuring alignment with business growth and operational needs.
• Oversee site selection, lease negotiations, acquisitions, and divestitures to optimize portfolio performance.
• Conduct financial modelling for lease vs. buy, stay vs. relocate, and asset disposal opportunities.
• Evaluate property transactions, ensuring competitive lease renewals and strategic protections for the organization.
• Assess occupancy trends and develop long-term plans for efficient space utilization.
• Develop and implement real estate transition plans related to mergers, acquisitions, and spin-offs, ensuring minimal operational disruption.

Financial Oversight & Transactions

• Oversee a global real estate portfolio exceeding $300M for facilities, construction, and lease costs.
• Direct OPEX & capital management of 6 corporate locations & 20+ subordinates and contractors.
• Develop and execute short-, mid-, and long-term financial plans to optimize the real estate portfolio.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through strategic negotiations, benchmarking, and vendor management.
• Conduct financial due diligence for major real estate decisions, including lease commitments and asset valuations.

Facilities, Construction & Workplace Optimization

• Oversee all global construction projects, including planning, technical specifications, budgeting, and execution.
• Establish a standardized approach for site design, workplace standards, and facility maintenance programs for corporate locations.
• Ensure alignment with office work models and optimize workplace design for efficiency.
• Implement a 36-month look-ahead plan for real estate and construction projects.
• Manage capital and expense budgets related to real estate operations and maintenance.

Risk Management, Compliance & Sustainability

• Ensure compliance with local, national, and international real estate regulations.
• Conduct due diligence for leases, acquisitions, and site evaluations to mitigate risks.
• Develop contingency plans for business continuity, including real estate-related disruptions.
• Implement sustainability initiatives such as energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, and green building standards (as applicable).
• Ensure all leases adhere to delegation-of-authority requirements and lease audit standards.

Stakeholder Engagement & Vendor Management

• Serve as a key liaison with senior executives, ensuring transparency in real estate decisions.
• Build and maintain relationships with landlords, brokers, and internal business stakeholders.
• Oversee external vendors, including architects, engineers, and contractors, to support construction and operational initiatives.
• Facilitate benchmarking and market analysis with global brokerage firms to identify real estate trends.
• Partner with legal, finance, and operations teams to ensure real estate transactions align with broader corporate objectives.

Leadership & Team Development

• Support and manage a global real estate team of 20+ and external vendors across Construction, Lease Management, Transactions, and Facility Management.
• Foster collaboration across departments to align real estate initiatives with corporate objectives.
• Promote a high-performance culture, driving innovation and operational excellence.

YOUR BACKGROUND

Key skills and competencies for succeeding in this role are:

• Business/Finance experience in Real Estate transactions within industrial/manufacturing.
• Ability to create business cases
• Extensive experience in corporate real estate, lease negotiations, site selection, and facilities management.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, with expertise in portfolio optimization and capital project management.
• Ability to lead large-scale real estate transactions while driving cost efficiencies.
• Expertise in sustainability initiatives, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong stakeholder management, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• Experience managing real estate aspects of corporate growth and restructuring initiatives.
• Legally able to work in the U.S. without requirement for any type of visa sponsorship/transfer now, or at any time in the future.
• This role requires a strategic leader who can balance high-level real estate planning with operational execution while ensuring financial discipline, risk mitigation, and alignment with corporate objectives.

YOUR BENEFITS AT APTIV:

• Competitive compensation with bonus potential
• Learning and development opportunities
• Discount programs with various manufacturers and retailers
• Recognition for innovation and excellence
• Meaningful work that makes a difference in the world
• Relocation assistance may be available
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Parental leave, etc.)
• Fertility Insurance
• Adoption Assistance
• Pet Insurance

Important Company Update – Please Read Before Applying. On January 22, 2025, Aptiv announced its decision to separate its EDS division to form two separate independent companies:https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/aptiv-announces-intention-to-separate-its-electrical-distribution-systems-business/

This role is within the EDS segment, and you will be joining that segment as it becomes its own entity, with a rich heritage and proven track record as a global leader in low and high voltage power and signal distribution systems. Our solutions are central to enabling the next generation of electrified, automated, and connected vehicles, and we are committed to innovation, sustainability, and engineering excellence.

We are looking for talented individuals who are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of EDS and delivering industry-leading solutions to the world’s top automotive manufacturers.

APPLY TODAY, AND TOGETHER LET’S CHANGE TOMORROW!

“Aptiv is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law”

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Aptiv is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.