Jennings Real Estate Corporation (JRE) began with two brothers, an idea and a shared ambition to build a great real estate company. What started as an entrepreneurial vision has grown into a team of more than 25 people, with active development projects and a real estate portfolio of more than one million square feet under management across Ottawa and Halifax.
That growth has been guided by four core values: understanding the value of reputation, always improving, being solution-oriented, and doing the right thing. These principles shape how JRE approaches its relationships, people, properties and partnerships.
At JRE, employees are encouraged to contribute ideas, take initiative, and find better ways of doing things. Direct access to leadership and collaboration across different areas of the business gives team members opportunities to learn beyond their individual roles and see the impact of their work. Working together from JRE’s downtown Ottawa office helps ideas move quickly, challenges get solved collaboratively, and relationships develop naturally.
That connection extends beyond day-to-day responsibilities. Monthly team lunches provide time to celebrate milestones and achievements, while employee-driven Lunch & Learn sessions encourage new ideas, perspectives and continuous development. Throughout the year, the team comes together for sporting events, summer outings, industry gatherings, charity initiatives and site tours of JRE properties and projects.
Always improving also means investing in people. JRE supports job-related education, professional designations, specialized training, and continuing development. Employees are encouraged to expand their knowledge, embrace new technology, and look for better solutions, while professional judgment and personal accountability remain central to the company’s approach.
JRE also recognizes that a rewarding career extends beyond the work itself. Comprehensive benefits, retirement savings matching that increases with tenure, flexible schedules and respect for personal time reflect the company’s commitment to supporting its people and recognizing their contributions.
As JRE continues to grow, the entrepreneurial spirit that started the company remains. Employees have the opportunity to contribute to a growing organization, take on new challenges, and build meaningful careers alongside colleagues who care about doing great work.
For JRE, building a great company means protecting the reputation earned through every interaction, continually improving, finding solutions, and doing the right thing.
Workplace Culture
What we do for fun: The year begins with a night out in a private suite at an Ottawa Senators hockey game. Summer involves team outings such as bowling, rafting or golf, alongside monthly company-provided lunches.
How we recognize achievements and milestones: Personal milestones, such as employee birthdays and work anniversaries, are celebrated during team lunches. We also bring everyone together to recognize professional achievements, project successes, and the everyday contributions that drive our shared success.
How we give back to the community: Corporate giving includes a donation-matching program where the company matches charitable contributions made by its workforce.
Best Practices to Emulate: Ottawa business owners should look closely at how this real estate firm ties long-term employee retention directly to wealth accumulation goals. Instead of offering static perk packages, the company increases its corporate retirement savings plan contributions when workers cross major service milestones. This financial incentive scales upward alongside structural vacation increases. This model transforms a standard tenure acknowledgement into a tangible asset for the employee. Small businesses often struggle to compete with public sector pensions, but this targeted escalation strategy proves that a boutique firm can build sustainable loyalty by directly funding the long-term financial security of its existing workforce.
Company Profile
Name: Jennings Real Estate Corporation
Address: 141 Laurier Ave. W, Suite 602, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5J3
Website: www.jre.ca
HR Leader: Christian Jennings and Ken Jennings
Industry: Real estate
Employees in Ottawa: 25
Number of Stat Holidays: 10 days
Medical Benefits Absorbed: Comprehensive employer-supported medical coverage
Dental Benefits Absorbed: Comprehensive employer-supported dental coverage
Vision Benefits Absorbed: Employer-funded vision care coverage
Retirement Plans: Group RRSP with employer matching contributions that increase based on employee tenure
Remote Work: Office-based collaborative work environment
Workplace Fitness: On-site fitness and shower facilities, along with secure bicycle storage, make it easier for employees to incorporate wellness and active commuting into their daily routines.
Professional Development: JRE supports continuous learning and professional growth by providing financial assistance for successfully completed job-related education and development opportunities. This includes post-secondary courses, real estate development programs, professional designations and certifications, technical training, industry-specific systems training, skills development, and continuing education.
