Director, Leasing and Strategy, Real Estate & Workplace

About the position We’re seeking a Director of Leasing & Strategy to lead high-impact initiatives and shape the strategic direction of OpenAI’s global real estate portfolio. This role will lead the real estate strategy and transactions team, oversee complex transactions, assess new opportunities, manage portfolio risk, and ensure leasing decisions align with OpenAI’s long-term business and growth objectives. The ideal candidate brings deep leasing expertise, strong financial acumen, and the ability to build scalable systems, operate effectively in ambiguity, and translate complex tradeoffs into clear executive decisions and durable outcomes. This role is based in San Francisco, CA. We use a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office per week and offer relocation assistance to new employees.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive global real estate strategy balancing cost, flexibility, speed, and long-term growth.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team while building strong cross-functional partnerships across regions.
• Own end-to-end lease transactions (strategy → site selection → negotiation → execution) and secure best-in-class outcomes.
• Act as a senior thought partner to executives, shaping high-stakes decisions with clear, data-driven recommendations.
• Develop portfolio strategies, financial models, and scenario analyses to inform investment decisions and tradeoffs.
• Build scalable frameworks, playbooks, and operating mechanisms that improve speed, quality, and consistency.
• Drive company-wide real estate decisions aligned to broader business, talent, and infrastructure strategy.
• Oversee portfolio governance (expirations, risk, obligations) and ensure proactive, disciplined execution.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and reporting in partnership with Finance and Accounting, ensuring strong controls.
• Drive alignment across Legal, Workplace, Finance, Security, EHS, and other stakeholders on transactions and operations.
• Build analytics and reporting systems to improve visibility, prioritization, and portfolio performance.
• Establish strong external partnerships (landlords, brokers, operators) and leverage AI/tools to enhance execution and outcomes.

Requirements

• 8–12+ years of experience leading corporate real estate transactions across commercial office and industrial/warehouse environments; in-house experience strongly preferred.
• Advanced expertise in lease negotiation and interpretation, portfolio strategy, financial modeling, and risk assessment.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams in fast-paced environments, while producing clear, executive-ready recommendations and decision materials.
• Strong communication and judgment, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, influence stakeholders, and independently solve complex problems.
• Ability to balance long-term strategic planning with hands-on execution, moving seamlessly from portfolio strategy to detailed transaction and lease review.
• Proficiency with AI-enabled tools, Google and Microsoft Suites, and lease administration systems.

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