Project Executive - Federal Lease Development

About the role

NORF Companies is seeking an experienced Project Executive to provide executive leadership and single-point accountability for a major federal lease development project. This position will lead the project from post-award development through financing, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, government acceptance, and transition to operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall execution of the project, including budget, schedule, financing, design, construction, compliance, risk, and closeout.
• Serve as NORF’s principal liaison with federal contracting personnel, government project representatives, lenders, attorneys, consultants, contractors, and ownership.
• Interpret the federal lease and translate its requirements into clear project deliverables, deadlines, responsibilities, and controls.
• Oversee architects, engineers, general contractors, specialty consultants, commissioning professionals, and other project partners.
• Direct the design, permitting, procurement, construction, inspection, commissioning, acceptance, and turnover processes.
• Manage the development budget, cash flow, financing requirements, lender draws, tenant improvement pricing, payment applications, contingencies, and change orders.
• Maintain the project master schedule and ensure timely completion of government submissions, reviews, approvals, inspections, and contractual milestones.
• Lead negotiations and resolution of material design, cost, schedule, contractual, and performance issues.
• Ensure complete and accurate project documentation, including reports, meeting records, formal notices, cost support, schedules, and closeout materials.
• Provide executive leadership with timely forecasts, risk assessments, financial reports, and recommendations.
• Cook up the transition from development and construction to building operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, architecture, engineering, real estate development, finance, business administration, or a related field; equivalent highly relevant experience may be considered.
• At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience in commercial real estate development, construction, institutional development, or owner’s representation.
• At least five years in a Project Executive, Development executive, Program Director, Senior Owner’s Representative, or comparable leadership role.
• Direct lessor, developer, or owner-side federal lease development experience.
• Experience leading at least one federal build-to-suit or major leased development from post-award activities through government acceptance and rent commencement.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal lease processes, including Design Intent Drawings, construction documents, tenant improvement pricing, Notices to Proceed, lease amendments, government reviews, inspections, acceptance, and rent commencement.
• Experience managing complex project budgets, financing, cash flow, lender reporting, contractor payments, change orders, and cost forecasting.
• Experience overseeing multidisciplinary design teams, general contractors, subcontractors, commissioning professionals, and third-party reviewers.
• Strong knowledge of design management, construction administration, CPM scheduling, procurement, quality control, risk management, and project closeout.
• Ability to interpret complex leases, development agreements, construction contracts, technical requirements, and government correspondence.
• Strong executive communication, negotiation, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Able to maintain a regular on-site presence in New Orleans.

Qualifications

• Experience completing two or more federal lease developments through government acceptance and rent commencement.
• Experience with GSA, VA, or comparable federal lease forms and requirements.
• Experience managing environmental compliance obligations under federal lease agreements, including indoor air quality, radon, mold, and water intrusion, remediation, and hazardous materials management.
• Experience with healthcare, institutional, behavioral health, residential, or another highly regulated facility type.
• Familiarity with federal construction labor standards, physical security requirements, commissioning, accessibility, sustainability, and government tenant improvement pricing.
• Experience with New Orleans-area permitting, utilities, construction conditions, and public agencies.
• Relevant professional certification or license, such as PMP, CCM, DBIA, LEED AP, licensed architect, or professional engineer.

Benefits

• Medical insurance with 80% employer-paid employee premium contribution.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Three weeks of PTO.
• Eight paid holidays annually.
• Optional dental and vision coverage.

Pay

Competitive compensation and benefits package.

Schedule

Regular on-site presence in New Orleans.