Job Title
Head of Data Science & Geo Spatial Analytics
Job Description Summary
The Head of Data Science & Geospatial Analytics serves as the firm's lead expert in quantitative, econometric, and geospatial analysis for commercial real estate, driving the development of an integrated, data-driven "Reimagining Real Estate" analytical framework. This role shapes data strategy across public, private, and proprietary sources; advances innovative modeling, forecasting, and geospatial capabilities; and advises on best-in-class quantitative methodologies used throughout the organization. Acting as a strategic thought leader, the position strengthens the firm's analytical brand through research, client engagement, and industry representation, while managing a team of specialized data scientists and overseeing complex cross-functional analytical initiatives. Ideal candidates bring advanced quantitative education, deep expertise in econometrics and ML/AI, strong programming proficiency, and exceptional communication and client-facing skills.
Job Description
Key Objectives:
Multi-disciplinary expert on quantitative and technical matters related to CRE, with strategic advisory to all analytical endeavors as appropriate.
Expert on public and private data sources, including microdata and geospatial associations.
Develop and implement new framework for analyzing real estate markets, with a whole-of-real-estate and whole-of-data approach.
Innovate creative solutions and incubate new analytical methods, tools or products.
Develop & Implement "Reimagining Real Estate" Analytical Framework (50%)
Advise and develop data strategy in partnership with Head of Quantitative Insights & Principal Economist, TDS, PRI and other relevant stakeholders, including appropriate data vendors, public data, and proprietary data. Strategy will include geospatial components, estimation techniques, database structure, normalization and other elements of best-in-class research data planning.
Deploy Places Lens and other appropriate classification layers to data architecture and ensure base level of capabilities from partnership are met (e.g., Risk/Reward matrix, Places Score, HALO, etc.). Partner with the Head of Forecasting as appropriate to ensure consistent analytical product delivery.
Identify opportunities for new research, R&D and innovation that add value to Cushman & Wakefield as well as its clients.
Over time, partner with Head of Quantitative Insights & Principal Economist and team to identify white space in analytical/advisory business where platform can add value to new clients (e.g., CMBS/MBS credit analysts, etc.) and integrate vision into analytical capabilities, research and publication.
Multi-disciplinary Advisor for Technical / Quantitative Analysis (30%)
Strategic Advisor for quantitative methodologies deployed throughout the firm (e.g., best practices for labor analytics employed by Consulting). Partner with Head of Commercial Analytics as needed to integrate methodologies into [automated] practice. Ensure best-in-class methodological documentation practices are followed.
Partner with internal and external technology and data partners to identify strategic opportunities to augment or refine data (e.g., Linnaean) for research/analytical purposes. Where appropriate, lead specific opportunities.
Provide advisory to Head of Quantitative Insights & Principal Economist and team on quantitative endeavors (e.g., key advisor to FVI/FVR and TIME Score methodologies).
Augment Cushman & Wakefield Analytical Brand Value
Expert on macro (economy, financial, demographics) and micro (urban planning/zoning, land-use, regional economy, TOD) reals that affect CRE .
Partner with Think Tank and Americas Research on thought leadership that promotes brand value, with emphasis on novel analytical findings, differentiation and tactical/strategic white papers, often with an academic tilt. [Generally aiming for one report year where Head of Quantitative Insights & Principal Economist team is main author and content is novel analytical findings and strategic implications. Otherwise, support other efforts as appropriate, but not as main author.]
Brand ambassador at industry events and with the media.
Serve as a client-facing resource as a key spokesperson on strategic implications of research findings.
Point of contact for all "RRE" matters
Management and Talent Development
Oversee team of quantitatively-oriented SMEs, including those with strong econometric, ML/AI, and GIS/geospatial orientations
Manage complicated workstreams among self and team, often involving multiple stakeholders across teams.
Requirements:
Ph.D or Master's degree in Economics, Applied Economics, Statistics, Finance, Real Estate, Urban/Regional Planning, Public Policy or in a related field preferred
7-10 years of experience in time-series analysis and forecasting
Experience with architecting and engineering econometric/forecasting modeling infrastructure
Expertise in various econometric modeling techniques, time series analysis, panel data, and ML/AI
Experience with or with managing GIS analysis, geospatial econometric analysis
Proficiency in one or more programming languages (Eviews, R, Python)
Exceptional written and oral communication skills
Excellent presentation skills and client-facing expertise
Ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization in pursuit of business development
Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job @type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate's experience and qualifications.
The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.
The compensation for the position is: $ 204,000.00 - $240,000.00
Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any @type will not be tolerated.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email HRServices@cushwake.com . Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.
INCO: "Cushman & Wakefield"
