Chief Facilities and Real Estate Officer (CFREO)

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is partnering with Heidrick & Struggles to conduct this search. To ensure a confidential and equitable process, all application materials must be submitted directly through Heidrick & Struggles. Candidate information will be handled with the utmost discretion, and only those who apply via Heidrick & Struggles will be considered for this position. Please submit your application to cfreonyuad@heidrick.com. 

Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates. In line with UAE regulations, Emirati candidates are encouraged to apply.

NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) seeks to appoint a Chief Facilities and Real Estate Officer (CFREO) reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO).  

The Chief Facilities and Real Estate Officer (CFREO) is the senior executive responsible for the strategic stewardship, sustainability, and transformation of NYU Abu Dhabi’s physical campus and real estate assets, ensuring that the University’s world-class facilities and infrastructure enable its academic, research, and community mission.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and serving as a key member of NYUAD’s university leadership team, the CFREO oversees the strategic planning, development, operations, and optimization of the University’s built environment — encompassing Auxiliary Services (Dining, Hospitality, Retail), Logistics & Operations (Mailroom, Transportation, Campus Logistics), and Capital Projects & Planning (Design, Construction, and Master Planning).

The CFREO shapes and executes a long-term Facilities and Real Estate Strategy aligned with NYUAD’s institutional vision, sustainability commitments, and post-expansion growth priorities. The role combines visionary leadership with operational excellence, ensuring that every aspect of the campus environment reflects NYUAD’s values of innovation, inclusivity, sustainability, and student experience.

Job Responsibilities:

Strategic Vision and Leadership:

• Lead the design and implementation of an integrated Facilities and Raeal Estate Strategy aligned with NYUAD’s long-term academic and operational goals
• Advise senior leadership on capital planning, infrastructure investments, and sustainability transformation
• Represent NYUAD in high-level forums and government liaison related to real estate and infrastructure development

Capital Projects and Master Planning:

• Oversee the planning, design, and execution of large-scale construction and renovation projects
• Ensure project governance, financial discipline, and design excellence
• Champion campus master planning that supports growth, innovation, and accessibility

Facilities Operations and Asset Management:

• Direct the operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of all campus facilities, ensuring safety, reliability, and compliance with international standards
• Drive digital transformation in facilities management through smart technologies and performance analytics

Auxiliary and Hospitality Services:

• Oversee dining, housing, hospitality, retail, and other auxiliary services to enhance the campus experience, optimize commercial value, and strengthen community engagement
• Lead contract negotiations and performance oversight for key service partners

Strategic Partnerships and Stakeholder Relations:

• Represent NYUAD in facilities and real estate planning and asset procurement discussions with NYU’s Government Partner and local stakeholders, outsourced facilities management and dining contractor to name a few
• Serve on and play a leading role in the Joint Real Estate Committee of NYUAD

Real Estate and Campus Logistics:

• Manage all real estate assets, acquisitions, leases, and campus logistics
• Develop strategies for optimal space utilization and community/commercial partnerships that maximize value and align with institutional objectives

People and Organizational Leadership:

• Build and inspire a multidisciplinary team across facilities, logistics, and project management
• Promote a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous learning. Ensure talent pipelines, succession planning, and alignment with NYUAD’s DEIB and safety values

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Facilities Management, Real Estate, or a closely related discipline
• Professional certiication such as PMP, RICS, IFMA CFM, or LEED AP preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in capital project governance, sustainability, and lifecycle asset management

Required Experience

• 15+ years of progressive experience in facilities, capital projects, and real estate leadership roles
  Proven success in executive-level management of complex, multi-site, or global operations — ideally in higher education, large-scale healthcare, or mixed-use institutional settings
• Track record in leading major capital programs exceeding USD 250M, managing large vendor contracts, and driving organizational transformation
• Strategic acumen in master planning, campus design, and infrastructure investment
• Deep understanding of sustainability frameworks, environmental compliance, and energy efficiency
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and partnership management skills across public and private sectors
• Ability to navigate complexity with diplomacy, foresight, and financial discipline
• Demonstrated success leading multicultural, multidisciplinary team
• Superior communication and presentation skills
• Able to influence and inspire at executive level

Preferred Education

• Master's Degree MBA, MArch, or MS in Engineering or Real Estate

NYU Abu Dhabi is a degree-granting research university with a fully integrated liberal arts and science undergraduate program in the Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Engineering. NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU New York, and NYU Shanghai, form the backbone of NYU’s global network university, an interconnected network of portal campuses and academic centers across six continents that enable seamless international mobility of students and faculty in their pursuit of academic and scholarly activity. This global university represents a transformative shift in higher education, one in which the intellectual and creative endeavors of academia are shaped and examined through an international and multicultural perspective. As a major intellectual hub at the crossroads of the Arab world, NYUAD serves as a center for scholarly thought, advanced research, knowledge creation, and sharing, through its academic, research, and creative activities.