Ian Obrien

About Ian Obrien

Ian O’Brien advises occupiers on complex corporate real estate strategy across office, logistics, distribution, and manufacturing asset classes. Based in Seattle, he helps executive teams align real estate decisions with broader operational, labor, capital, and supply chain priorities. With more than a decade of consulting and operator experience, Ian brings an occupier-first perspective grounded in execution. He leverages AI-enabled tools, advanced quantitative analysis, and proprietary research to model scenarios, evaluate tradeoffs, and translate complex market, labor, and infrastructure dynamics into clear, decision-ready recommendations for C-suite leaders, investment committees, and boards. His work integrates site selection, portfolio strategy, contract negotiations, workforce analytics, financial structuring, incentives, and supply chain advisory. Ian is known for strong written and oral communication skills, presenting analytical findings and performance outcomes clearly to senior leadership while leading cross-functional teams through complex transactions. His advisory approach emphasizes clarity, accountability, and data-driven decision-making to reduce risk, improve performance, and support long-term growth in an increasingly complex real estate landscape.Notable projects include- North American HQ for a global shipping firm- Portfolio strategy and contract negotiation for a national logistics firm with a 13 million square foot portfolio- A build-to-suit facility for a global appliance manufacturer- A development for a national cold storage 3PL- Contract negotiations for a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility on behalf of a defense contractor.Ian is enrolled in the Masters of Supply Chain, Transportation, and Logistics program at UW and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Lewis and Clark College. Outside of his professional role, he is dedicated to fostering community engagement and sustainability. He is an active volunteer and supporter of Treehouse, a nonprofit serving youth in foster care, The Healing Center, a nonprofit that helps people experiencing grief, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and Water1st International, a nonprofit that builds clean water infrastructure in the poorest communities in the world. He also enjoys music, sailing, skiing, and exploring the outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.

Experience

1. Director

   Savills North America

   Jul 2022 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

   Savills is a leading, occupier-focused corporate real estate advisory with 700+ owned and associate offices and more than professionals globally, delivering integrated advisory, transaction, and technology-enabled solutions across the real estate lifecycle.At Savills, Ian advises corporate occupiers on complex real estate strategy with a focus on office, logistics, distribution, and manufacturing facilities. His work encompasses site selection, portfolio strategy, contract negotiations, and capital deployment decisions, helping clients align real estate with broader operational, labor, energy, and supply chain objectives.Ian leverages advanced quantitative analysis, AI-enabled tools, and proprietary Savills research to evaluate markets, model scenarios, and assess tradeoffs across labor availability, infrastructure, port dynamics, incentives, and cost structures. He regularly synthesizes large, complex data sets into clear, decision-ready insights for C-suite executives and senior leadership teams, supporting investment committees, board-level discussions, and long-range planning initiatives.With more than 10 years of senior leadership development and talent management experience, Ian brings a disciplined, collaborative approach to advising clients and leading cross-functional teams. He is recognized for strong written and oral communication skills, translating technical analysis into compelling narratives that drive alignment and action across stakeholders.Ian is deeply engaged in managing outcomes and measuring results, routinely analyzing performance against client objectives and presenting findings to senior leadership to inform future strategy. His advisory work emphasizes clarity, rigor, and execution, delivering tailored, data-driven solutions that enhance operational efficiency, manage risk, and support long-term growth in an increasingly complex industrial real estate landscape.

Education

• George School

  High School Diploma

• University of Washington

  Master's degree, Supply Chain, Transportation, and Logistics

• Lewis & Clark College

  Bachelor of Arts - BA

Skills

• Retail
• Entrepreneurship
• Account Management
• Sales
• Project Planning
• Operations Management
• Budgets
• Marketing Strategy
• Strategy
• E-Commerce
• Customer Service
• Crm
• Logistics
• International Shipping
• New Business Development
• Strategic Planning
• Business Development
• Digital Marketing
• Public Relations
• Business Strategy
• Production Planning
• Product Development
• Advertising
• Online Advertising
• Event Planning