Portia Grant
CHILDRESS KLEIN
Charlotte
1
Certification
26
years of professional experience
Commercial real estate executive with more than 20 years of progressive leadership overseeing financial operations, property management, asset strategy, and organizational performance for institutional-quality office portfolios exceeding 10 million square feet. Experienced leading multidisciplinary teams across accounting, property management, engineering, parking operations, and administration while partnering with institutional owners, joint venture partners, lenders, investors, and executive leadership to maximize portfolio performance. Known for combining financial expertise with operational leadership to improve profitability, streamline processes, manage complex development and redevelopment initiatives, and deliver exceptional service to owners and tenants. Recognized as a collaborative leader who builds consensus, develops high-performing teams, and successfully leads organizations through growth, change, and complex business challenges.
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Work History
Director – Office Property Operations & Finance
26 Years 2 Months- Lead financial and operational strategy for one of the Southeast's largest institutional office portfolios, overseeing more than 10 million square feet of Class A commercial office assets.
- Provide executive leadership across accounting, finance, property operations, capital planning, parking operations, and strategic initiatives while partnering directly with ownership groups, executive leadership, institutional investors, lenders, and third-party partners.
- Facilitated collaboration among senior leaders to drive organizational success.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams across accounting, property management, engineering, parking operations, and administrative support.
- Develop annual operating budgets, capital budgets, business plans, and long-range financial forecasts.
- Provide executive financial guidance to partners, ownership groups, and senior leadership.
- Cultivated collaborative relationships with institutional owners, tenants, lenders, attorneys, consultants, and joint venture partners to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Mentor and develop high-performing professionals while creating opportunities for career advancement.
- Directed portfolio strategy to maximize value and returns for stakeholders.
- Managed financial oversight for institutional-quality commercial office assets including:
- Developed accurate financial statements to inform business decisions.
- Developed detailed budgets to support organizational planning and resource allocation.
- Implemented strategies to optimize cash flow and ensure liquidity.
- Performed financial analysis to assess asset worth for investment decisions.
- Property tax strategy
- Capital planning
- Internal controls
- Monitored compliance standards to mitigate risks and uphold integrity.
- Operational performance
- Implemented strategies that advanced organizational objectives and growth.
- Expanded accounting and financial services, enabling organizational growth and effectively managing increased portfolio complexity.
- Led multiple enterprise accounting system conversions and technology modernization initiatives.
- Implemented company-wide electronic purchase order platform.
- Developed automated Accounts Payable and contract workflow processes.
- Streamlined operational processes that improved efficiency across multiple business units.
- Integrated new technologies to streamline financial operations and ensure continuity in service delivery.
- Executive Project Leadership
- Directed or provided executive financial leadership for several high-profile commercial real estate projects including:
- Lowe's Tech Hub
- Duke Energy Center
- Wells Fargo Cultural Campus
- LPL Financial Southeast Corporate Headquarters
- Showcased diverse leadership capabilities across multiple functions.
- Court-appointed receiverships involving distressed commercial real estate assets
- Joint venture accounting and ownership reporting
- Surface parking development and operations
- Commercial redevelopment projects
- Asset acquisition and transition planning
- Contract negotiations
- Financial due diligence
- Business development proposals
- Property tax appeals resulting in significant owner savings
- Portfolio Financial Management
- Executive Reporting
- Investor Reporting
- Property Operations
- Commercial Leasing Support
- Capital Project Oversight
- Asset Performance Analysis
- Development Support
- Owner Relations
- Financial Modeling
- Risk Management
- Process Automation
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency across multiple commercial properties.
- Managed budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Education
Master of Business Administration - MBA
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Skills
Real estate management
Portfolio management
Property management
Financial strategy
Portfolio asset management
Capital budgeting
Financial Reporting
Budgeting
Risk Management
Distressed Asset Management
Development & Redevelopment
Joint venture oversight
Stakeholder engagement
Strategic Planning
Operational Excellence
Process improvement
Financial Analytics Tools
Technology integration
Financial Systems Integration
Process Streamlining
Procurement Optimization
Team Leadership
Cross-functional leadership
Executive communication
Property Accounting
Contract Management
Microsoft Excel
Power BI (if applicable)
Microsoft Office Suite
CTI
Colonial
Accomplishments
- Oversight of court-appointed commercial real estate receiverships and stabilization of distressed assets.
- Leadership of both finance and property operations, demonstrating cross-functional executive management.
- Negotiation and management of joint venture structures with institutional partners.
- Oversight of parking operations, ancillary revenue strategies, and commercial service agreements.
- Leadership in business development, including proposals, management presentations, and client pursuits.
- Supervision of cross-functional teams beyond accounting (property managers, engineers, parking professionals, and administrative staff).
- Experience presenting to ownership groups, lenders, investors, and executive committees.
- Quantifiable achievements (portfolio value, annual operating budgets managed, capital project values, property tax savings, technology implementation savings, or revenue improvements).
Affiliations
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- North Carolina Association of CPAs (NCACPA)
Certification
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- North Carolina
Timeline
Director – Office Property Operations & Finance
CHILDRESS KLEIN
06.2000 - CurrentRead More
Strayer University
Bachelor of Science from Accounting
Read More
Strayer University
Master of Business Administration from MBA
Read More
SELECTED CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- More than 20 years of commercial real estate leadership.
- Financial leadership for 10+ million square feet of institutional office assets.
- Directed accounting and operational support for several of Charlotte's premier office developments.
- Successfully led multiple enterprise software implementations.
- Expanded organizational accounting capabilities to support continued company growth.
- Built and mentored high-performing accounting and operations teams.
- Led financial oversight for complex joint ventures and institutional ownership structures.
- Managed court-appointed commercial real estate receiverships requiring complex financial reconstruction and operational stabilization.
- Developed financial strategies supporting acquisitions, redevelopment, and operational improvements.
- Recognized as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, owners, and business partners.
- Oversight of court-appointed commercial real estate receiverships and stabilization of distressed assets.
- Leadership of both finance and property operations, demonstrating cross-functional executive management.
- Negotiation and management of joint venture structures with institutional partners.
- Oversight of parking operations, ancillary revenue strategies, and commercial service agreements.
- Leadership in business development, including proposals, management presentations, and client pursuits.
- Supervision of cross-functional teams beyond accounting (property managers, engineers, parking professionals, and administrative staff).
- Experience presenting to ownership groups, lenders, investors, and executive committees.
- Quantifiable achievements (portfolio value, annual operating budgets managed, capital project values, property tax savings, technology implementation savings, or revenue improvements).
BOARD LEADERSHIP
- Board Member
- Florence Crittenton Services