India’s real-estate industry is evolving rapidly due to the emergence of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and the rising demand for quality office spaces and flexible office spaces. Alongside this, educational institutions are designing new courses and programmes to train students in the emerging fields of real estate and hospitality operations and technologies.
The careers in traditional commercial real estate were those involved in developing properties, building, renting, and selling. Today, with organisations aiming to make their workplaces efficient, sustainable and experiential, the need for skilled people who can work in the areas of workplace operations, customer experience, facilities management, sustainability, technology and business management is increasing.
Specialised courses
This need for interdisciplinary talent has led to the development of specialised courses in real-estate management, facilities management, hospitality management, urban development, workplace strategy, and business operations to provide students with an understanding of the wider landscape and the various jobs that have emerged. Institutions are also focussing on experiential learning through internships, industry-related projects, mentorship programmes, and corporate relationships to provide students with practical exposure and relevant skillsets. Professional certifications have been introduced in areas like project management, sustainability, workplace management, facilities management, and customer experience.
One of the prominent trends is the importance of hospitality education in the field of commercial real estate. Earlier, hospitality graduates sought employment in hotels, travel companies, airlines, and event-planning organisations. But as offices become more experience-driven, several hospitality skills — client engagement, service excellence, operations management, events management, and stakeholder management — are being adapted to a corporate setting.
To meet the demands of the current job market, students need to acquire both technical and interpersonal competencies. While operations and facility management have grown in significance, customer and stakeholder management and communication and networking skills cannot be overlooked. Digital literacy is another crucial competency. Smart buildings, technologies to organise workplaces, and data analysis tools are just a few examples of how modern commercial properties are managed and optimised. Sustainability and ESG considerations are also becoming increasingly relevant.
Range of options
The transformation of commercial real estate is creating a wide range of career opportunities, such as Workplace Experience Manager, Community Manager, Facilities and Operations Manager, Client Relationship Manager, Corporate Hospitality Specialist, Workplace Services Executive, Sustainability Coordinator, and Real Estate Analyst. Additionally, there are other options in property and asset management, as well as flexible workspace management.
Notably, these jobs can be held by graduates with a wide array of academic degrees, such as Business, Hospitality, Engineering, Management, Architecture, and Communications. Increasingly, what counts is not only subject-specific knowledge but also flexibility, teamwork, and a customer-oriented approach.
With India being a magnet for international companies and expanding its presence in commercial real estate, the future of the commercial real estate industry will be determined not only by buildings and infrastructure, but also by the people who manage, maintain, and upgrade these facilities. This means that students who receive an interdisciplinary education covering business, hospitality, real estate, technology, and operations can explore a variety of career prospects in the near future.
The writer is the Regional Managing Director, The Executive Centre.
Published – September 21, 2026 11:00 am IST