Associate Director / Director - Real Estate Development

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced real estate professional to join our team to support real estate development and construction activities. The role specifically oversees the renovation or new construction of public charter school facilities. This individual will work with external teams of real estate experts to help schools strategically navigate the development process and ensure on-time, affordable, high quality facilities are delivered to our clients.

This individual should expect to manage 5+ client engagements spanning different phases of work, helping to guide each from project scoping and budgeting through team assemblage, site search, design, permitting, bidding, financing, and construction to successful completion.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate an ability to manage complex projects, think strategically, communicate effectively, and work as a team member both within our Level Field team and with the operator/client and external project teams.

This individual will report to a Managing Director and receive support from junior team members as well as Partners to execute on the day-to-day activities needed for the client engagements.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Project Feasibility & Roadmapping
• Assessment of a single site or a portfolio of properties to meet short- and long-term client growth goals
• Preliminary project sizing based on local market conditions, financing costs, potential acquisition costs, etc.
• Evaluation of multiple acquisition structures and timelines relative to affordability and client needs
• Real Estate Development
• Support with site identification, evaluation, and acquisition negotiation
• Team assemblage of third-party professionals, including architects, attorneys, project managers, and general contractors, via rigorous RFP processes
• Ongoing project leadership and management through design, entitlements, permitting, financing close and construction
• Project budget and schedule development, including pre-construction cash flow estimation
• Contract negotiation support
• Execution of key project milestones in the pre-construction period, including management of entitlements, design, and due diligence workstreams, to deliver on-time financing close and construction start
• Client Support Services
• Support the client from predevelopment through construction to ensure a smooth transition through project phases, and that a successful client turnover is achieved.
• Oversee and ensure the performance of all client vendors, including:
• Architects and engineers
• General contractors and subs
• FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment)
• Low voltage
• Food service program
• Moving company (if applicable)

Qualifications

• A deep commitment to LFP’s mission to serve public charter school operators, their students, and communities.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion values and belief that this is what impacts our work the most.
• A track record of excellent performance at a construction management, owner’s representative, real estate development, or consulting firm, with a history of on-time and on-budget project delivery.
• Strong preference for experience in school construction in the charter school sector.
• Strong analytical skills and creative problem-solving skills.
• Inspiring organizational and self-management skills with the ability to plan and execute effectively, while often remotely located from both clients and LFP team members.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly communicate to a diverse set of stakeholders.
• An entrepreneurial spirit.
• Bachelor’s degree with a focus in real estate, construction, architecture/engineering preferred.
• A graduate degree in a relevant field is optional, but is a plus.
• 5+ years of professional experience in a role requiring strategic problem solving, project management, and real estate development or construction management.
• Experience in an educational or client service role is a plus.
• Ability to travel to client sites and LFP team meetings.

Additional Position Details

• Location: Remote with travel to job sites as needed
• Reports to: Managing Director
• Start Date: As soon as possible
• Compensation: The title and related compensation will be determined by the amount and quality of each candidate’s experience compared to the roles, responsibilities and qualifications outlined for this position.
• For an Associate Director candidate, the expected salary range is from $90,000 - 120,000 per year with eligibility for up to a 10% bonus.
• For a Director candidate, the expected salary range is from $120,000 - 150,000 per year with eligibility for up to a 10% bonus.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

LFP is an equal opportunity employer and encourages resumes from diverse candidates. LFP does not discriminate in any aspect of employment on the basis of race, color, ancestry or national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age.