The plan has selected four firms for further due diligence and evaluation.
The retirement fund disclosed commitments totaling $850 million in October.
The search is being conducted to replace the plan’s incumbent global growth equity manager, which has been on watch due to underperformance.
The new hire will be joined by other senior real estate team members from his former employer at a later date.
The appointment will go into effect following the departure of Chief Financial Operating Officer Ryan Skor on Jan. 3.
The pension plan terminated a roughly $360.5 million emerging markets equity mandate last month.
The retirement system considered approving its general investment consultant RFP at Friday’s board meeting.
The chief financial operating officer will be leaving “to take another opportunity outside of the agency.”