Position description

Type of assignment

Full-time Regular

Function

Support function - Facilities & Real Estate

Job title

Head of Real Estate DACH (m/f/x)

Job description

The Head of Real Estate DACH is responsible for the strategic and operational management of the company's logistics and office real estate portfolio across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
The role ensures that the real estate footprint supports business growth, operational efficiency, cost optimization, and sustainability goals, while aligning regional execution with the European real estate strategy.

A variety of tasks are waiting for you, amongst others:
• Define and execute the DACH Sub-Region real estate strategy in line with business objectives and the European real estate framework,
• Manage end-to-end lifecycle of logistics and office properties (site selection, leasing/acquisition, development, optimization, exit),
• Continuously review portfolio performance, utilization, costs, and risks; recommend consolidation, expansion, or divestment actions,
• Lead real estate initiatives for warehouses, distribution centers, hubs, and cross-dock facilities,
• Partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, and Network Planning to ensure facilities meet current and future operational needs,
• Oversee new site developments, expansions, and major refurbishments, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery,
• Manage the Sub-Regional office portfolio, including headquarters, regional offices, and flexible workspace concepts,
• Drive workplace strategy initiatives (e.g., hybrid work, space optimization, modern workplace standards),
• Ensure office locations support talent attraction, collaboration, and productivity,
• Lead lease negotiations, renewals, acquisitions, and disposals, supported by external advisors where required,
• Manage capital expenditure planning and execution for real estate projects,
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to required quality and compliance standards,
• Own real estate budgets for DACH Sub-Region, including OPEX and CAPEX,
• Deliver cost transparency, savings initiatives, and value creation across the portfolio,
• Prepare business cases and investment proposals for regional and European leadership approval,
• Ensure compliance with local regulations, zoning, ESG standards, health & safety, and corporate governance requirements across DACH Sub-Region,
• Manage real estate-related risks, including lease obligations, market exposure, and regulatory changes,
• Act as the key real estate interface for the MD DACH Sub-Region, Regional leadership teams, and European Real Estate function,
• Collaborate with Finance, Legal, HR, Operations, Procurement, and Sustainability teams,
• Manage relationships with landlords, developers, brokers, consultants, and public authorities,
• Build, lead, and develop the DACH Sub-Region real estate team (direct and dotted-line resources),
• Foster strong alignment with the European Real Estate organization, sharing best practices and standards.

Applicant's profile

You bring along:
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Engineering, Architecture, or a related discipline,
• Minimum 10 years of experience in corporate real estate, logistics/industrial real estate, or a related field,
• Proven track record managing logistics and office real estate portfolios in the DACH Sub-Region,
• Strong experience in lease negotiations, site development, and large-scale real estate projects,
• Experience working in a matrix organization with regional and functional reporting lines with excellent stakeholder management and communication skills at senior leadership level,
• Strong strategic and commercial mindset with hands-on execution capability,
• Deep understanding of DACH real estate markets, especially logistics/industrial assets,
• Financial acumen with the ability to build and challenge business cases,
• High level of independence, resilience, and decision-making ability,
• Fluent German and English required; French would be a plus,
• Certification on RICS, MRICS, etc. would be a plus.

Working time (%)

100