About the role
About the Team
At OpenAI, our Real Estate & Workplace (REW) team builds and manages the environments that power our innovation. We create spaces that are efficient, scalable, and aligned with our mission — from strategic leasing decisions to the systems that keep our workplaces running smoothly. Joining this team means helping shape the environments where world-changing technology is built.
About the Role
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.
In this role, you will:
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.
You might thrive in this role if you have:
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.
About OpenAI
OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to a
Aplyr's read
OpenAI is a pioneering AI research organization focused on developing AGI to benefit humanity, attracting talent keen on ethical and innovative AI solutions.
What's promising
- •OpenAI is at the forefront of AI research, driving innovation in artificial general intelligence.
- •The company emphasizes ethical AI development, appealing to those passionate about responsible technology.
- •OpenAI offers diverse roles across engineering, sales, and creative fields, indicating a dynamic work environment.
What to watch
- •OpenAI's rapid growth may lead to organizational challenges and resource strain.
- •The focus on AGI poses inherent risks and ethical dilemmas that require careful navigation.
- •Limited public information about internal culture and work-life balance may concern potential applicants.
Why OpenAI
- •OpenAI's mission to ensure AGI benefits all of humanity sets it apart in the tech industry.
- •The organization combines cutting-edge research with a strong emphasis on ethical AI practices.
- •OpenAI's diverse hiring across global markets reflects its commitment to international impact and collaboration.
Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?
About OpenAI
OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research organization that aims to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity. They develop advanced AI technologies and promote safe and responsible AI practices.
