Director of Leasing Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Director of Leasing roles sit squarely within H-1B visa specialty occupation territory, requiring a bachelor's degree in real estate, business, or a related field. Employers file a Labor Condition Application before sponsoring, and green card pathways via PERM are common at this seniority level.
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Get Access To All JobsThe Director of Real Estate and Leasing
Department of Facilities, Operations, and Auxiliary Enterprise
Position Summary:
The Director of Real Estate and Leasing, within the Department of Facilities, Operations, and Auxiliary Enterprises, provides strategic leadership and oversight of the real estate portfolio supporting UTHealth Houston and UT Physicians. As UTHealth Houston continues to expand its clinical enterprise and presence throughout the Houston area and beyond, this newly established role will play a key part in advancing real estate strategies that support organizational growth, operational priorities, and financial objectives.
The Director leads real estate planning and transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, lease negotiations, renewals, expansions, development opportunities, portfolio planning, and asset performance. The role also supports clinical expansion by identifying and evaluating real estate opportunities aligned with evolving organizational and operational needs.
Serving as a strategic partner to executive leadership and key stakeholders, the Director collaborates across legal, finance, clinical and operational teams, property management, and external real estate partners to drive informed decision-making and successful execution of real estate initiatives.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative and experienced real estate leader with expertise in lease management, negotiations, portfolio strategy, and stakeholder engagement. The Director will also lead and mentor a team, sharing expertise and fostering accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
Position Key Accountabilities:
- Directs negotiations for external leases, renewals, amendments, expansions, terminations, and related transactions with property owners, landlords, developers, and brokerage firms. Ensures transactions align with institutional priorities, expansion plans, and approved financial parameters.
- Identifies and evaluates real estate opportunities; leads due diligence; and negotiates purchase, sale, and lease agreements that support institutional priorities, expansion plans, and long-term growth objectives.
- Partners with executive leadership and key stakeholders to align real estate strategy, leasing activity, and portfolio planning with the University's operational, financial, and long-term business goals.
- Manages the organization's real estate assets by monitoring critical lease dates, compliance requirements, financial performance, and space utilization to optimize portfolio value and operational effectiveness.
- Collaborates with legal, finance, clinical departments, operations, property management teams, and brokerage partners to support sound real estate decisions, timely transaction execution, and alignment with institutional objectives.
- Manages Human Resources activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection; hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
- Responsible for the design, execution and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded; financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Certification/Skills:
- Interpersonal, technical, and writing skills.
- Extensive knowledge of parking management and revenue control systems.
- Ability to structure, negotiate, and execute complex commercial lease agreements and related real estate transactions.
- Ability to analyze market data, evaluate property valuations, review financial models, and assess the business impact of real estate decisions.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to operate a state vehicle in accordance with institutional policies and applicable driver clearance requirements.
- Work may involve handling biohazardous, chemical, and radiological materials, as well as operating associated equipment. Required safety training and appropriate engineering and administrative controls including the use of personal protective equipment must be followed.
- Driver License (DL) by State of Texas required
- Real Estate Sales Agent by Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) preferred
- Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) preferred
- Certified Retail Real Estate Professional (CRRP) preferred
- Comparable Real Estate Credential preferred
Minimum Education:
Bachelor's Degree of Business Administration, real estate, finance, urban planning, or a related field required. Master's Degree of Business Administration, real estate, finance, urban planning, or a related field preferred.
Minimum Experience:
7 years of progressively responsible experience in commercial real estate, leasing, portfolio management, site selection, acquisitions, and related real estate operations required. Experience supporting healthcare, higher education, academic medical center, or other complex multi-site organizational environments preferred.
Physical Requirements:
Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.
Security Sensitive:
This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.
Residency Requirement:
Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.
The Director of Real Estate and Leasing
Department of Facilities, Operations, and Auxiliary Enterprise
Position Summary:
The Director of Real Estate and Leasing, within the Department of Facilities, Operations, and Auxiliary Enterprises, provides strategic leadership and oversight of the real estate portfolio supporting UTHealth Houston and UT Physicians. As UTHealth Houston continues to expand its clinical enterprise and presence throughout the Houston area and beyond, this newly established role will play a key part in advancing real estate strategies that support organizational growth, operational priorities, and financial objectives.
The Director leads real estate planning and transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, lease negotiations, renewals, expansions, development opportunities, portfolio planning, and asset performance. The role also supports clinical expansion by identifying and evaluating real estate opportunities aligned with evolving organizational and operational needs.
Serving as a strategic partner to executive leadership and key stakeholders, the Director collaborates across legal, finance, clinical and operational teams, property management, and external real estate partners to drive informed decision-making and successful execution of real estate initiatives.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative and experienced real estate leader with expertise in lease management, negotiations, portfolio strategy, and stakeholder engagement. The Director will also lead and mentor a team, sharing expertise and fostering accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
Position Key Accountabilities:
- Directs negotiations for external leases, renewals, amendments, expansions, terminations, and related transactions with property owners, landlords, developers, and brokerage firms. Ensures transactions align with institutional priorities, expansion plans, and approved financial parameters.
- Identifies and evaluates real estate opportunities; leads due diligence; and negotiates purchase, sale, and lease agreements that support institutional priorities, expansion plans, and long-term growth objectives.
- Partners with executive leadership and key stakeholders to align real estate strategy, leasing activity, and portfolio planning with the University's operational, financial, and long-term business goals.
- Manages the organization's real estate assets by monitoring critical lease dates, compliance requirements, financial performance, and space utilization to optimize portfolio value and operational effectiveness.
- Collaborates with legal, finance, clinical departments, operations, property management teams, and brokerage partners to support sound real estate decisions, timely transaction execution, and alignment with institutional objectives.
- Manages Human Resources activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection; hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
- Responsible for the design, execution and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded; financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Certification/Skills:
- Interpersonal, technical, and writing skills.
- Extensive knowledge of parking management and revenue control systems.
- Ability to structure, negotiate, and execute complex commercial lease agreements and related real estate transactions.
- Ability to analyze market data, evaluate property valuations, review financial models, and assess the business impact of real estate decisions.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to operate a state vehicle in accordance with institutional policies and applicable driver clearance requirements.
- Work may involve handling biohazardous, chemical, and radiological materials, as well as operating associated equipment. Required safety training and appropriate engineering and administrative controls including the use of personal protective equipment must be followed.
- Driver License (DL) by State of Texas required
- Real Estate Sales Agent by Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) preferred
- Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) preferred
- Certified Retail Real Estate Professional (CRRP) preferred
- Comparable Real Estate Credential preferred
Minimum Education:
Bachelor's Degree of Business Administration, real estate, finance, urban planning, or a related field required. Master's Degree of Business Administration, real estate, finance, urban planning, or a related field preferred.
Minimum Experience:
7 years of progressively responsible experience in commercial real estate, leasing, portfolio management, site selection, acquisitions, and related real estate operations required. Experience supporting healthcare, higher education, academic medical center, or other complex multi-site organizational environments preferred.
Physical Requirements:
Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.
Security Sensitive:
This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.
Residency Requirement:
Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Director of Leasing Jobs
Frame your degree for specialty occupation
H-1B eligibility hinges on a direct link between your degree field and leasing leadership. A real estate, business administration, or finance degree maps cleanly. If your degree is adjacent, gather coursework transcripts showing property management or contract law modules.
Target REITs and institutional property managers
Large real estate investment trusts and institutional multifamily operators file LCAs regularly for Director-level roles. Search Migrate Mate to find employers with verified sponsorship history in property management and leasing operations, filtered by role and location.
Verify prevailing wage before negotiating offers
Your employer must certify your salary meets the DOL prevailing wage for your metro area before filing the LCA. Run the OFLC Wage Search using the property and real estate manager occupation category to know the Level III or IV threshold before your offer conversation.
Anticipate the PERM timeline at Director level
Many employers sponsor Directors of Leasing for EB-2 or EB-3 green cards through PERM. DOL's recruitment audit requirements mean PERM filings routinely take 12 to 18 months before an I-140 can be filed, so raise green card sponsorship intent during the offer stage.
Document portfolio scale to satisfy RFE risk
USCIS sometimes issues Requests for Evidence questioning whether leasing roles meet specialty occupation standards. Prepare documentation showing the complexity of your portfolio: unit counts, mixed-use assets, revenue figures, and direct reports, all of which establish professional-level decision-making authority.
Use H-1B portability once your petition is filed
If you're already in H-1B status and receive a competing offer, you can start with the new employer as soon as the new petition is filed with USCIS. You don't need approval first, which gives you real leverage when negotiating between two sponsoring employers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Director of Leasing role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS requires that the position normally require a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field. Director of Leasing roles typically require a degree in real estate, business administration, or finance, and the management of complex lease portfolios supports the professional-level determination. Roles overseeing large multifamily or commercial assets are well-positioned for approval.
What visa types are available for a Director of Leasing seeking U.S. sponsorship?
H-1B is the primary work visa for Director of Leasing candidates, subject to an annual cap and selection process. Australians may qualify for the E-3 visa, which has its own annual allocation and no lottery. Canadian and Mexican nationals can explore TN visa status under the USMCA, provided the role aligns with a listed profession. EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM is common at this seniority level.
How do I find employers who sponsor Director of Leasing roles?
Migrate Mate lists U.S. employers with verified LCA sponsorship history, searchable by role and location. This lets you focus your applications on property management companies, REITs, and real estate developers that have already demonstrated willingness to sponsor, rather than approaching firms with no documented history of doing so.
What degree does an employer typically require for H-1B sponsorship in this role?
Most sponsoring employers specify a bachelor's degree in real estate, business administration, finance, or a closely related field. Some accept a degree in urban planning or economics if coursework is property-focused. USCIS will scrutinize the connection between your degree field and the leasing function, so a general management degree without property-specific coursework can generate a Request for Evidence.
Is a Director of Leasing role eligible for a green card through PERM?
Yes. Employers can sponsor Directors of Leasing for employment-based green cards, most commonly under EB-2 for roles requiring an advanced degree or EB-3 for those requiring at least two years of experience. DOL's PERM labor certification process requires a formal recruitment test before the application is filed with USCIS. Country of birth affects how long you'll wait on a priority date after PERM approval.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Director of Leasing jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.