Global Real Estate Manager

AkzoNobel is looking for an experienced Global Real Estate Manager to join its Global Business Services (GBS) organization.

As Global Real Estate Manager, you will play a key role in shaping and optimizing AkzoNobel's global real estate portfolio. You will be responsible for developing and executing real estate strategies that support business objectives while ensuring cost efficiency, compliance, and operational excellence.

Working as part of the Global Business Services Real Estate & Facilities Management organization, you will oversee a diverse international portfolio of more than 1,000 properties across 80+ countries, representing over one million square meters of real estate. You will lead strategic real estate initiatives, including portfolio optimization, office consolidations and divestments, while collaborating with senior stakeholders across the business.

This is a highly visible role that combines strategic thinking with hands-on project execution and offers the opportunity to influence AkzoNobel's global workplace footprint.

About the role

You will lead complex real estate transactions and manage the company's global property portfolio to ensure it continues to support business growth and operational efficiency. A significant part of your role will involve driving real estate divestment projects, coordinating with business leaders, Finance, Legal, Tax, Environmental specialists and external advisors to successfully execute property sales and investments.

You will own the development and execution of country office plans, identifying opportunities to optimize space utilization, consolidate office locations and deliver sustainable cost savings. In addition, you will maintain oversight of AkzoNobel's global lease portfolio, ensuring alignment with business requirements, corporate standards and financial reporting obligations, including IFRS 16 compliance.

As the owner of global location and lease data, you will ensure the integrity and accuracy of real estate information, enabling reliable reporting and informed decision-making. You will also support the continuous development of global real estate standards and governance, helping drive consistency across regions.

Although this position has no direct reports, you will work closely with the Leasing Manager and manage relationships with external brokers, consultants, project managers and other third-party service providers to deliver successful outcomes.

What you will bring

You hold a Master's degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business Administration or a related discipline and have approximately 5-10 years of experience in corporate real estate, either within a multinational organization or a leading real estate advisory firm.

You have a proven track record of managing complex real estate transactions and international property portfolios, with experience coordinating multiple stakeholders across different countries and cultures. Experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment is highly valued.

You combine strong commercial awareness with excellent analytical capabilities and are comfortable interpreting financial data, developing business cases and presenting recommendations to senior leadership. You are confident managing external partners, including brokers, lawyers, environmental consultants and project managers, and know how to influence stakeholders without direct authority.

You are an independent, proactive professional who enjoys driving improvements and delivering results in a dynamic international environment. Experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma would be considered an advantage.

Excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken, are essential.

Why join AkzoNobel?

Joining AkzoNobel means becoming part of an international organization that is committed to innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement. You will have the opportunity to work on high-impact global projects, collaborate with colleagues across more than 80 countries and help shape the future of our workplace and real estate strategy.

We offer a collaborative working environment, opportunities for professional development and the chance to make a meaningful impact within a truly global business.