Research Director, Tavakoli Center for Real Estate

The USC Marshall School of Business is seeking applicants for a Managing Research Director within the newly launched Tavakoli Real Estate Center.  The Research Director will have oversight of the building, assembling, and maintaining a world class database of real estate and urban/spatial data for use by Marshall faculty and students. There is also a teaching component to this role in which the research director will teach one or more classes focusing on the analysis and/or application of real estate data in business contexts.

The Tavakoli Real Estate Center is dedicated to supporting research, curriculum, and career development of the real estate program at the Marshall School.  The most important and immediate objective of the center is to build out the research and data infrastructure which procures, curates, and maintains a wide array of data sets utilized by Marshall real estate students and faculty.  

Responsibilities and Duties

• Building, assembling, and maintaining a world-class database of real estate and urban/spatial data for use by Marshall faculty and students
• Publishing articles directly, and/or in conjunction with Marshall's existing faculty.  These can be either traditional academic research targeting finance/real estate journals or shorter, practitioner-oriented research articles targeted toward Marshall's general real estate community, including students, alumni, and employers. (Examples of recent work can be found here: https://www.marshall.usc.edu/real-estate-analytics-lab-real.)
• Teach one or more classes focusing on the analysis and/or application of real estate data in business contexts.
• Engaging with students and faculty in support of data-based curriculum in the classroom
• Curate, assemble, and transform raw data into forms appropriate to the classroom setting.
• Determines organizational structure, reporting relationships, and short- and long-range program needs based on program goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in general economics, urban economics, or finance with a focus in real estate
• Experience developing curriculum and design concepts
• Proven experience in research, managing sponsored projects
• Proven experience with budget development and control.
• Demonstrated effective consulting, negotiation, and/or development experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
• 7 years of directly related expertise in specialized research and/or programs.
• Experience, knowledge, and familiarity with data from GIS, real estate, location, housing, or commercial transactions
• Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Salary Range

The annual base salary range for this position is $172,398.00 - $178,000.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Funding Restrictions

This position is funded by a gift and may be funded by a subsequent gift. Accordingly, your position is contingent upon receipt of the necessary funding from this or any subsequent gift to continue employment. In the event funding for your position changes and it becomes necessary to adjust your percentage of effort, or it becomes necessary for your employment with the University of Southern California to end, you will receive one (1) month written notification of termination.

Required Documents and Additional Information

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled at any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions*; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses, and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.
• This is a full-time position that will report to the University Park Campus.

Why join the USC Marshall School of Business?

USC is a leading private research university located in Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology, and international business. As the city’s largest private employer, responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic schools and units. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks and be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work.

USC Marshall builds on the unique opportunities that stem from its Los Angeles location on the Pacific Rim, its interdisciplinary and impactful research, the momentum generated by the University of Southern California, and the unparalleled engagement of the Trojan Alumni Family. With ready access to industries defining the new business frontier, including biotechnology, life sciences, media, entertainment, communications, and healthcare, this vast network offers USC Marshall graduates exceptionally strong support for success in the global marketplace.

For more information on the USC Marshall School of Business, visit www.marshall.usc.edu.

Minimum Education: Master's degree Additional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 7 years Addtional Experience Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience Minimum Skills: Directly related expertise in specialized research and/or programs (e.g., counseling, teaching). Experience developing curriculum and with conceptualization and design concepts. Proven experience in research, managing sponsored projects. Demonstrated consulting, negotiation, development, and/or fundraising experience. Proven leadership/management experience, skilled in staff development and networking. Ability to analyze and evaluate data, and present findings. Proven experience with budget development and control. Excellent interpersonal and written and oral communication skills, able to problem solve and lead conflict resolutions. Ability to interpret and apply policies/analyses/trends. Preferred Education: Master's degree Preferred Experience: 10 years with specialized research and/or programs Preferred Skills: Related special education, licensing, or certifications based upon program content and services. Proven ability to lead and guide others.