Job Description

The Strategic Operations, Analysis and Research sector of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Facilities Lease & Relocation Manager is responsible for the strategic management and administration of the SOAR Sector’s real estate portfolio, including lease administration, facility operations coordination, relocations, consolidations, occupancy planning, and related financial and compliance activities across multiple business units and geographic locations, with primary responsibility for facilities located throughout the National Capital Region.

Essential Functions:

Real Estate & Lease Administration

• Support development of lease business cases, occupancy strategies, and documentation of need
• Support resolution of lease disputes and landlord/tenant issues
• Provide guidance regarding lease obligations, risks, operational impacts, and critical lease dates
• Maintain lease files, records, abstracts, and historical documentation
• Track lease expirations, renewal options, notice periods, and other critical lease milestones

Facility Relocation & Consolidation Management

• Lead and coordinate office relocation and facility consolidation projects across facilities in the National Capital Region
• Develop and manage relocation schedules, milestones, and transition plans
• Coordinate with stakeholders including operations, Corporate IT, security, HR, facilities vendors, movers, architects, contractors, and landlords
• Coordinate move logistics and occupancy readiness activities
• Develop communication and transition plans to minimize operational disruption
• Support post-occupancy transition activities and facility closeout efforts

Construction & Manufacturing Facility Build Management

• Coordinate and support construction, renovation, and manufacturing facility buildout projects
• Serve as the primary coordination point between ARA stakeholders, landlords, architects, engineers, contractors, and vendors
• Support planning and execution of specialized manufacturing, laboratory, classified, or technical workspace requirements
• Review construction schedules, budgets, drawings, and project milestones to ensure alignment with operational requirements
• Coordinate permitting, inspections, occupancy readiness, and turnover activities
• Track project risks, action items, and change orders to support schedule and budget objectives
• Support oversight of Tenant Improvement construction activities and contractor performance
• Coordinate furniture, equipment, infrastructure, and operational readiness activities associated with facility buildouts
• Support transition from construction completion through operational occupancy

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field
• Knowledge and understanding of leases, including how they impact company financials and legal implications critical terms.
• Minimum 5 years of experience
• Must be willing and able to get a government security clearance
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to have frank conversations and negotiate effectively
• Business acumen and attention to detail
• Must be a US Citizen

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with and knowledge of ASC842 lease standard
• Use of advanced tools (e.g., PowerBI, AI) to improve business processes

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2000 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership fosters greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the ­­­­ Facilities, Lease & Relocation Manager position.