Real Estate Lead, Americas

Locations: San Jose (Bay Area), RTP, or New York

About the Team

At Cisco, our Workplace Resources (WPR) organization is reimagining the future of work. We design, build, and operate dynamic physical and digital environments that empower our global teams to collaborate, innovate, and thrive. Within WPR, the Real Estate Strategy & Planning team acts as the strategic architect of Cisco’s corporate footprint. We translate evolving business priorities into agile, high-value real estate strategies across both enterprise office hubs and mission-critical technical infrastructure.

About the Role

As the Real Estate Lead for the Americas, you will be the commercial dealmaker and strategic portfolio leader overseeing Cisco’s leased real estate footprint across North and Latin America. Managing an annual real estate budget exceeding $100M USD, you will lead marquee transactions—from large-scale regional hubs (up to 300k+ sq. ft.) to specialized data center facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end lease negotiations, acquisitions, renewals, subleases, and dispositions, crafting creative commercial deal structures that maximize financial value and operational flexibility.
• Partner directly with business leaders and WPR strategists to analyze workplace utilization, anticipate growth, and advise on where and how Cisco should expand, consolidate, or reposition leased properties.
• Develop clear, data-driven financial models (cash flow, P&L, and US GAAP lease accounting) to present compelling recommendations to Senior Leadership.
• Integrate AI tools and modern analytics to streamline lease administration, critical date governance, market benchmarking, and executive portfolio reporting.
• Direct premier brokerage firms, development advisors, and legal counsel to ensure best-in-class execution and adherence to local land-use, environmental, and municipal guidelines.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Design & Construction, Workplace Operations, Legal, Tax, Finance, and Sustainability to deliver seamless project delivery and flawless handoffs.

Requirements

• 9+ years of progressive corporate real estate, transaction management, or property investment experience managing large, multi-market corporate portfolios.
• Demonstrated track record of leading large commercial leases (up to 300k sq. ft.) and complex market strategies across the Americas.
• Strong background navigating diverse commercial markets, with familiarity in tech office dynamics and data center / mission-critical environments.
• Adept at real estate financial modeling, capital budgeting, and translating US GAAP/lease accounting principles into strategic decisions.
• Working knowledge of site due diligence, easements, environmental considerations (such as CEQA/SEPA), and local municipal approval processes.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Real Estate, Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred). Industry designations such as MCR (CoreNet), RICS, or Lean Six Sigma are a strong differentiator.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $148,800.00 to $208,200.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation, equity, or benefits. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

• New York City Metro Area: $148,800.00 – $238,300.00
• Non-Metro New York State & Washington State: $143,600.00 – $211,900.00

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution.
• Paid parental leave, short- and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance.
• Grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment for defined periods of time.
• Paid time away: 10 paid holidays per year, 1 floating holiday, 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness.
• Non-exempt employees: 16 days of paid vacation accrued at 4.92 hours per pay period.
• Exempt employees: flexible vacation time off program with no defined limit.
• 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, with up to 80 hours carried forward.
• Optional 10 paid days per year to volunteer.
• For non-sales roles, eligibility to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.