JLL Hires Adam Griff as Managing Director

Griff, formerly a strategy director at Gensler, joins the firm's nonprofit, education and government practice.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration of a cluster of academic buildings around a courtyard, rendered in oxblood, teal, mustard, and cream. — JLL has hired Adam Griff, formerly a strategy director at Gensler, as a managing director in its nonprofit, education and government practice. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

JLL has hired Adam Griff as a managing director in its nonprofit, education and government practice. Griff previously served as a strategy director at architecture and design firm Gensler.

Why it matters

Griff will advise educational institutions and other mission-driven organizations on real estate and institutional strategies. The move comes as higher education undergoes a major restructuring that is forcing institutions to rethink how their campuses support academic missions and financial sustainability.

Griff brings more than 20 years of experience in architecture, master planning and strategic planning to the role. Gensler did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his departure.

The players

JLL

JLL is a global commercial real estate services firm that advises corporations, investors and institutions on property strategy.

Gensler

Gensler is a global architecture and design firm known for corporate, workplace and institutional projects.

The details

Griff will be based in New York and will work alongside David Carlos, head of the nonprofit practice for the tri-state area. At Gensler, he advised organizations on strategy transformations and on optimizing physical environments.

November 3, 2026: Commercial Observer reports Griff's hire by JLL.

Market Landscape

Griff's move reflects competition among real estate and design firms for advisors who can guide universities and nonprofits through space planning under financial pressure. His background at Gensler gives JLL a strategist with institutional-design experience in its nonprofit, education and government practice.

For New York-area educational institutions and nonprofits, Griff's role means a dedicated advisor on real estate and campus space strategy. Organizations weighing campus or facility changes may see new consulting options from JLL's practice.

The takeaway

Institutions facing campus restructuring can benefit from advisors who connect physical space to academic and financial goals. Tracking how firms staff these nonprofit and education practices can signal where demand for institutional strategy is growing.