The role of a Certified Chief Operating Officer – Real Estate (CCOO-RE) is fundamental in overseeing the day-to-day operations, asset performance, and service delivery across complex real estate portfolios. The Chief Operating Officer in real estate is responsible for translating the company’s strategic vision into operational reality, ensuring that property management, leasing, tenant services, construction, compliance, and asset maintenance are executed with efficiency, consistency, and profitability. As real estate portfolios diversify across asset classes, geographies, and investment models, the need for operational excellence and seamless coordination across internal teams and external partners has never been more critical. The Certified Chief Operating Officer – Real Estate (CCOO-RE) certification is a globally respected credential that affirms a professional’s expertise in operational execution, cross-functional leadership, and asset value optimization.

The CCOO-RE certification, awarded by the American Institute of Real Estate Management (AIREM), represents the highest standard of professional achievement in real estate operations and organizational execution. This credential validates a candidate’s ability to lead enterprise-wide real estate operations, improve asset performance, implement technology solutions, manage regulatory compliance, and enhance the tenant experience. Certified professionals are recognized as operational leaders who ensure that real estate organizations function efficiently, respond to market dynamics, and deliver measurable business results.

Certification Program Objectives:

• Lead operational strategy and execution across property portfolios, asset types, and regional markets.
• Oversee property management, facilities maintenance, leasing, occupancy planning, and capital project delivery.
• Implement standard operating procedures (SOPs), performance metrics, and operational reporting systems.
• Manage risk, legal compliance, and vendor relations while ensuring high service quality and tenant satisfaction.
• Align operational infrastructure, staffing, and budgeting with the company’s strategic goals and investment priorities.

Certification Eligibility Criteria:

To be considered for this certification, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Possess a Master’s degree from a recognized institution.
• Have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience at a senior management level.

Note: Exceptional candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree with at least 15 years of senior management experience may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Certifying Assessment / Examination:

To earn the Certified Chief Operating Officer – Real Estate (CCOO-RE) certification, candidates must undergo a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation designed to assess their ability to manage large-scale real estate operations, optimize asset performance, and lead multi-disciplinary teams. This ensures the candidate’s readiness to deliver operational excellence across the property lifecycle.

As part of this assessment, candidates may be required to deliver a 30-minute executive presentation incorporating operational strategy, property performance metrics, process improvement initiatives, vendor and staff management, and tenant satisfaction models. This will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session to evaluate their ability to balance day-to-day execution with long-term asset performance.

For candidates pursuing a C-Level Professional Certification, this assessment may be substituted with a comprehensive examination consisting of 80 multiple-choice questions to be completed within a 3-hour timeframe. This examination rigorously evaluates knowledge in real estate operations, portfolio optimization, risk and compliance management, tenant service delivery, and facilities management.

The assessment methodology ensures that the American Institute of Real Estate Management (AIREM) maintains the highest standards of professional certification, recognizing professionals who demonstrate outstanding leadership in real estate operations.

Certification Modules:

• Module 1: Operational Strategy, Portfolio Performance, and Service Excellence
• Module 2: Property and Facilities Management, Leasing Operations, and Capital Project Oversight
• Module 3: Compliance, Risk Management, Health & Safety, and Regulatory Adherence
• Module 4: SOPs, Technology Platforms, Budgeting, and Vendor Management
• Module 5: Executive Leadership in Operational Agility, Talent Management, and Tenant Experience

* The modules of the certification are constantly updated and are subject to change.

Who Should Do This Certification:

The Certified Chief Operating Officer – Real Estate (CCOO-RE) certification is ideal for senior real estate professionals responsible for operational delivery, asset optimization, and tenant satisfaction across dynamic and diversified real estate portfolios.

• Experienced Real Estate COOs and Asset Operators: COOs and senior operations executives overseeing complex real estate functions across asset classes will benefit from strategic validation and structured operational frameworks.
• Aspiring Operations Leaders: Property managers, operations directors, and asset coordinators preparing for executive roles in real estate operations will gain the knowledge and tools to lead effectively at scale.
• Institutional Portfolio Managers: Executives managing REITs, private equity portfolios, or institutional-grade properties seeking to enhance operational efficiency and reporting will find value in the certification’s approach.
• Construction and Facilities Managers: Professionals leading capital projects, building operations, and tenant improvement works can broaden their impact through holistic portfolio operations understanding.
• Consultants and Property Operations Advisors: Advisors supporting property owners, real estate funds, or developers with operational restructuring, cost control, or process optimization will benefit from increased credibility.
• Public Sector and Infrastructure Operations Leaders: Government and municipal property managers overseeing large public real estate assets or housing authorities can adopt best practices aligned with international operational standards.

Earning the CCOO-RE certification signifies your leadership in delivering operational efficiency, tenant satisfaction, and property performance across the real estate value chain. Whether you manage high-density portfolios, coordinate large service teams, or ensure compliance and profitability, this certification empowers you to lead with excellence at the heart of real estate operations.