Real Estate & Construction
The Real Estate and Construction sector is a dynamic and vital part of the economy. In France, it represents the leading industrial sector, accounting for 10.5% of the national GDP in 2023.
Employing over 2 million people, it is a sector with strong ripple effects on other economic activities.
Key Industry Challenges
Key Industry Challenges
Real estate is also a cornerstone of French household wealth, accounting for 62% of their assets. It attracts substantial investments both nationally and internationally, particularly in office, residential, logistics, and commercial sectors. These areas have a significant ripple effect on other industries such as construction materials, logistics, and financial services.
Moreover, real estate plays a strategic role in the ecological transition, as buildings represent 44% of energy consumption and 25% of CO₂ emissions in France. Energy renovation and sustainable construction therefore mobilize significant resources to address climatic, social, and economic challenges.
Impacts on organisations
Impacts on organisations
The real estate and construction sector in France faces several major challenges. First, rising construction costs—including materials, energy, and labor—combined with increasing interest rates, put pressure on developers and households, slowing down real estate projects.
Second, the ecological transition requires massive energy renovations to improve building performance, reduce their carbon footprint, and comply with new regulations such as the ZAN (Zero Artificialization Net) and rules targeting “energy-inefficient” buildings.
Additionally, the digitalization of the sector is transforming practices through tools like BIM modeling, virtual tours, and management platforms, demanding significant investments in technology and skills.
Major Recruitment Challenges
The Real Estate and Construction sector is currently experiencing an unprecedented crisis, marked by a sharp decline in job offers and widespread uncertainty. Paradoxically, despite this decrease, business leaders with recruitment needs face major difficulties in attracting and convincing talent.
This disconnect highlights a dual challenge: on one hand, identifying profiles capable of supporting the sector amid significant transformation, and on the other, persuading candidates who are often hesitant to take risks in an unstable economic environment.
Faced with these complex issues, it is essential to focus on talents who can not only confront current challenges but also bring fresh energy to support the new cycle unfolding for the sector.
Our Expertise & Approach
Our Expertise & Approach
Considered as market leaders, with extensive networks, a passion for industry developments, and a presence at all major professional trade shows, the Consultants of the Real Estate & Construction practice possess deep market knowledge and proven expertise in sourcing and assessing experts, managers, and senior executives within the sector.
The inherent strength of this department within a generalist firm lies in its ability to guide clients through the full spectrum of their recruitment challenges. While primarily focused on operational roles within the Real Estate & Construction practice, they also cover support functions such as CFO, HR Director, IT Director, Legal Director, and more. This approach combines our sector expertise with the functional know-how of our Specialist Consultants, ensuring a comprehensive and tailored solution to meet our clients’ needs.
Moreover, the Real Estate & Construction practice has chosen to safeguard its clients’ interests by maintaining a focused team, which limits off-limits and consequently offers a wide hunting ground during talent searches.
Business cases
Head of Asset Management (M/F)
Real estate asset management company • France / Paris
A real estate asset management company, AMF-authorized and specialized in office properties, approached us to assist in recruiting a Director of Asset Management. Until then, Asset Management responsibilities were handled by the fund management team. As the organization grows, it became necessary to appoint a dedicated leader for the Asset Management department, to build the entire structure, recruit teams, and organize the activity.
Chief Operating Officer (M/F)
Commercial real estate company• France / Paris
Our client, positioned among the leading Shopping Center operators in Europe, entrusted us with a strategic recruitment: their National Operations Director, a member of the Executive Committee. As a market leader, our extensive network greatly helped us identify the ideal candidate.
Managing Director (M/F)
Real Estate Consulting Firm • France / Paris
Our client is a real estate consulting firm specializing in hospitality, originally Anglo-Saxon, with a presence in about ten European countries. Following a departure, we were mandated to recruit the Managing Director for the French office. The main challenges of this recruitment were primarily managerial, due to significant turnover in this position, but also business-oriented, aiming to open new markets and continue developing an institutional client portfolio.
Area Director (M/F)
Real Estate Development• France / Lyon
Our client, a regional developer operating in three regions in France, wished to expand by establishing a presence in a fourth region. Unfamiliar with this territory, they approached us to provide our insight into the local market (compensation, achievable targets, key players, etc.) and to help build their new team. We successfully recruited their Regional Director, Development Director, and Program Director.
Real Estate Director (M/F)
Large Industrial international • France / Paris
Our client, a large industrial group with an international presence, asked us to recruit their Real Estate Director covering France and the Benelux region. This Director, reporting directly to the Executive Committee, currently oversees asset management, facility management, as well as all aspects of construction projects and real estate expansion strategy.