Director of Real Estate

General Description

Leads the strategic planning, acquisition, and management of real estate assets, right-of-way, easements, and other property interests that enable Toho Water Authority to deliver critical infrastructure, support community growth, and achieve its long-term organizational objectives. Serves as Toho's subject matter expert on all real estate matters, providing executive-level leadership and strategic guidance to ensure property acquisition and land management activities align with Toho's capital improvement program, operational priorities, and future service demands. Develops and executes comprehensive real estate strategies that position Toho for sustainable growth while protecting its property interests and maximizing the value of its real estate portfolio. Directs complex negotiations, oversees consultant and appraisal services, coordinates legal actions related to property acquisition, and fosters collaborative partnerships with property owners, governmental agencies, consultants, and community stakeholders to achieve successful project outcomes. Works closely with Engineering, Planning, Construction, Legal, GIS, Public Records, and Executive Leadership to proactively identify opportunities, mitigate project risks, and integrate real estate solutions throughout the lifecycle of capital projects from initial planning and route selection through construction and long-term asset management. Through visionary leadership, sound business judgment, and innovative problem-solving, ensures Toho secures and manages the property interests necessary to build and maintain the infrastructure that serves today's customers while preparing for the needs of future generations.

Essential Functions

• Develops, implements, and oversees Toho's real estate, right-of-way, and property acquisition strategy to support the Capital Improvement Program, Infrastructure Renewal and Replacement (R&R) Program, operational initiatives, and long-range organizational growth.
• Plans, directs, and manages the acquisition of fee simple property, easements, rights-of-way, licenses, and other property interests necessary to support capital projects and utility operations while balancing project schedules, costs, and stakeholder interests.
• Leads complex negotiations with property owners, developers, governmental agencies, utilities, and other stakeholders to successfully acquire property rights while maintaining positive public relationships and protecting Toho's interests.
• Provides strategic real estate guidance to Executive Leadership, Engineering, Planning, Construction, Operations, GIS, Public Records, and other departments regarding property ownership, easements, land use, access rights, and real estate-related matters.
• Collaborates with project teams during planning and design to evaluate potential pipeline routes, facility locations, property constraints, and acquisition requirements to minimize project risks and support efficient project delivery.
• Directs and oversees right-of-way consultants, appraisers, surveyors, title companies, environmental consultants, and other professional service providers, ensuring quality work products, regulatory compliance, budget adherence, and timely project execution.
• Develops appraisal scopes of work, evaluates appraisal reports, and interprets surveys, title commitments, environmental reports, zoning information, plats, maps, legal descriptions, and other technical documents to support informed acquisition decisions.
• Coordinates eminent domain activities with the General Counsel's Office and outside legal counsel by providing technical expertise, acquisition documentation, valuation support, and project coordination throughout the condemnation process.
• Partners with the General Counsel's Office to resolve complex real estate matters, protect Toho's property interests, and ensure legal compliance throughout acquisition, disposition, and property management activities.
• Coordinates with local governments, regulatory agencies, and consultants to obtain land use approvals, entitlements, development agreements, and other authorizations necessary to support Toho projects.
• Develops and maintains comprehensive real estate, acquisition, and right-of-way management systems that provide accurate project tracking, reporting, document management, and integration with Toho's Capital Improvement and R&R Programs.
• Establishes policies, procedures, standards, and best practices governing real estate acquisition, property management, right-of-way administration, and related business processes to promote consistency, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Prepares and presents agenda items, recommendations, and reports to Executive Leadership regarding property acquisitions, dispositions, easements, contracts, and other real estate matters requiring approval.
• Represents Toho before property owners, public agencies, community organizations, consultants, and other external stakeholders, serving as Toho's primary point of contact on strategic real estate initiatives.
• Develops, administers, and monitors departmental budgets, consultant contracts, schedules, and performance metrics to ensure effective stewardship of public resources and successful project outcomes.
• Evaluates emerging trends, legislation, technologies, and industry best practices related to real estate, right-of-way acquisition, land management, and public infrastructure to continuously improve organizational effectiveness and support Toho's strategic objectives.
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED issued from an approved administrator.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in real estate acquisition, right-of-way, land management, property negotiations, or a related field.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Class E Driver's License.

Desirable Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Public Administration, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Surveying, Law, or a closely related field.
• Comprehensive knowledge of real estate acquisition principles, right-of-way processes, easement acquisition, property valuation, title review, and land management practices.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards governing real estate transactions, eminent domain, property rights, and public infrastructure projects.
• Ability to negotiate complex real estate transactions while balancing organizational objectives and stakeholder interests.
• Ability to interpret surveys, plats, legal descriptions, title commitments, appraisal reports, zoning maps, environmental reports, engineering plans, and related technical documents.
• Strong understanding of project management principles and the integration of real estate activities into capital improvement projects.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare Board agenda items, executive reports, and presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to establish collaborative relationships with elected officials, property owners, consultants, governmental agencies, legal counsel, and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and effectively resolve complex and sensitive issues.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel and talk or hear.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to stand; walk and bend, kneel, squat, or crawl.
• Must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Environmental factors include indoor, flat surface, noise, sitting with occasionally walking and standing.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Medical Insurance
• Employee Onsite Wellness Center
• 401(a) and 457 Retirement Plans
• Retirement Match
• Group Basic Life Insurance / AD&D
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Paid Sick Time / Sick Bank
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account Program
• Dependent Care (FSA)
• Longevity and Christmas Bonuses
• Tuition Reimbursement