BURT HIRSCHFELD
San Francisco
Summary
Real estate leader with extensive experience in lease negotiations and strategic planning at City and County of San Francisco. Managed $750M in transactions, enhancing asset performance and stakeholder relationships. Strong analytical and communication skills drive successful project outcomes and organizational growth.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Transaction-focused leadership role
City and County of San Francisco
San Francisco
05.2022 - Current
- Managed commercial acquisitions, dispositions, and lease negotiations for office, warehouse, and land assets.
- Conducted comprehensive market research to identify trends and acquisition opportunities.
- Developed financial models to evaluate potential acquisitions' viability.
- Presented acquisition proposals to executive leadership for review and approval.
- Led due diligence processes, ensuring compliance through oversight of brokers, appraisers, and attorneys.
- Collaborated with developers, planners, and title companies to execute complex transactions.
- Established relationships with industry participants to uncover new opportunities.
- Created legislative frameworks authorizing substantial contractual and financial obligations.
Principal
Independent Corporate Real Estate Advisory & Consulting Services
San Francisco
01.2018 - 12.2019
- Advised executives on complex lease, purchase, and capital project transactions.
- Directed delivery models for construction and tenant improvement projects.
- Served as strategic partner for portfolio expansion and asset optimization.
- Designed scalable organizational models, including workflows and policies.
- Oversaw corporate real estate strategies for diverse client portfolios.
- Facilitated negotiations for commercial leases and acquisitions.
- Managed comprehensive site selection processes to maximize client investments.
- Analyzed market trends to provide clients with informed property valuations.
Assistant Director / Executive Management Team Leader – Real Estate & Facilities Management
Judicial Council of California
San Francisco
01.2004 - 12.2016
- Established and led corporate real estate group managing 21M sq. ft. across 500+ facilities.
- Rolled out revenue optimization initiative utilizing commercial leases, parking agreements, and licensing.
- Executed over 1,200 lease and capital transactions totaling $750M.
- Identified customer needs efficiently to enhance service quality and satisfaction.
- Led cross-functional teams to implement process improvements and optimize workflows.
- Managed stakeholder communications to align project objectives with organizational goals.
- Developed performance metrics to assess project success and operational effectiveness.
- Facilitated workshops promoting collaboration, innovation, and professional development among team members.
Director of Asset Management – West Coast
DRA Advisors, LLC
San Francisco
01.2002 - 12.2004
- Directed property managers, brokers, and architects in managing core and value-add funds across office, warehouse, and retail assets.
- Conducted pre-acquisition due diligence and financial analysis for investment underwriting.
- Advised on retail and mixed-use properties, including Banana Republic, Chico’s, and Il Fornaio.
- Managed investment portfolios to enhance asset performance aligned with strategic goals.
- Analyzed market trends to identify opportunities for asset acquisition or divestiture.
- Executed regular performance reviews of assets to ensure compliance with established objectives.
- Led due diligence processes for potential investments or partnerships within the portfolio.
- Negotiated terms of agreements with external vendors and partners to optimize operational efficiency.
Regional Director of Real Estate / Director of Portfolio Planning
American Express Company / Trammell Crow (CBRE)
San Francisco
01.2000 - 12.2002
- Collaborated with U.S. leadership and global subsidiaries to implement strategies across Americas and Asia-Pacific.
- Transitioned AmEx corporate real estate operations to Trammell Crow, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Guided global transactions and capital projects for multi-region business units.
- Developed strategic plans aligning business objectives with market trends through thorough analysis.
- Managed cross-functional teams to streamline project execution and enhance communication.
- Oversaw budget allocation to optimize resource utilization across multiple regions.
- Maintained relationships with key stakeholders, promoting goodwill and securing support for initiatives.
- Conducted regular performance analyses and resolved escalated customer complaints promptly.
Education
B.A. - International Relations
San Francisco State University
San FranciscoPostgraduate coursework - Real Estate Finance, Valuation, Economics, and Law
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CAMaster of Corporate Real Estate -
CoreNet Global
Skills
- Lease transactions and negotiations
- Property development
- Broker management
- Portfolio and asset management
- Site selection
- Strategic planning
- Acquisitions and dispositions
- CRE due diligence
- Project and construction management
- Budget oversight
- Contract negotiation and compliance
- Workplace strategy
- Facility operations
- Real estate strategy
- Performance analysis
- Effective communication skills
- Strategic thinking and problem solving
- Organization and time management
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Written communication skills
- Planning and troubleshooting
- Data management and analysis
Core Expertise
- Lease Transactions
- Property Development
- Broker Management
- Portfolio & Asset Management
- Site Selection
- Strategic Planning
- Acquisitions & Dispositions
- CRE Due Diligence
- Project & Construction Management
- Budget Oversight
- Contract Negotiation
- Regulatory Compliance
- Workplace Strategy
- Facility Operations
Affiliations
- Court Appointed Special Advocate, Superior Court of California
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Limited
Certification
- California Real Estate License, California Dept. of Real Estate
- Master of Corporate Real Estate (MCR), CoreNet Global
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Transaction-focused leadership role
City and County of San Francisco
05.2022 - Current
Principal
Independent Corporate Real Estate Advisory & Consulting Services
01.2018 - 12.2019
Assistant Director / Executive Management Team Leader – Real Estate & Facilities Management
Judicial Council of California
01.2004 - 12.2016
Director of Asset Management – West Coast
DRA Advisors, LLC
01.2002 - 12.2004
Regional Director of Real Estate / Director of Portfolio Planning
American Express Company / Trammell Crow (CBRE)
01.2000 - 12.2002
B.A. - International Relations
San Francisco State University
Postgraduate coursework - Real Estate Finance, Valuation, Economics, and Law
University of California, Berkeley
Master of Corporate Real Estate -
CoreNet Global