R9255 VP, Development, Real Estate

About the Role

Responsible for all planning, organizing, development, and control of strategic plans to reactivate and oversee the management of mixed-use real estate and facilities in The District Detroit, with a focus on co-development opportunities with third-party developers. This position represents the organization with outside developers, contractors, potential lessees, investors, and other stakeholders to ensure project success. The role ensures efficiencies and profitability for all developmental and real estate management initiatives while handling confidential and proprietary information with discretion and autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the entire development process for Olympia Development of Michigan (ODM) controlled real estate projects, including:
  • Pre-development: Feasibility, entitlements, incentives, capitalization, and leasing.
  • Development: Design and construction, completion, and stabilization.
• Maximize land development value in alignment with the enterprise’s operational objectives.
• Oversee acquisition and construction of new sites, as well as upgrades and rehabilitation of existing sites.
• Oversee internal and external consultants throughout pre-development, entitlement, financing, due diligence, and construction phases.
• Negotiate and procure contractor services on behalf of the client.
• Accountable for project capital and expense budgets, monitoring public financing obligations and covenants, and ensuring alignment with the overall development strategy.
• Implement development strategies to ensure cost, schedule, performance, and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Real Estate Management:
  • Full responsibility for all areas of the mixed-use real estate process, including entitlement, site/land control, feasibility, financial entitlement, and implementation.
  • Assess market conditions and develop real estate strategies consistent with ownership objectives and optimal performance.
  • Direct assigned development teams to ensure proper real estate development execution and regulatory compliance.
  • Negotiate strategic development deals/agreements and serve as a liaison between Olympia Development, lessees, investors, and city officials.
  • Anticipate risks impacting organizational objectives and implement mitigation strategies.
  • Lead cross-entity functions to foster high-quality relationships between disciplines (e.g., Legal, Finance, Community Relations).
  • Develop and implement operating guidelines aligned with best practices.
  • Manage tenant relationships, including attraction and retention.
  • Optimize tenant-related services, whether in-house or outsourced, and negotiate contractor services on behalf of the client.
  • Implement strategies to manage operating and capital budgets and reduce future operating costs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Development or a related field.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience directing development and managing mixed-use real estate projects, including a thorough understanding of real estate strategies, planning, transactions, and facilities operations.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience managing real estate/urban development projects, including timelines, budgets, and resources.
• In-depth knowledge of the local downtown Detroit real estate market, including highest and best utilization for the area.
• Demonstrated understanding of real estate development finances.
• Experience with acquisition and due diligence processes, including entitlements, zoning, environmental issues, and incentives.
• No employment or contractual restrictions due to existing confidentiality and/or non-competition agreements; ability and willingness to sign a confidentiality and non-competition agreement with Olympia Development of Michigan.

Skills

• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement processes and plans.
• Planning acumen, analytical expertise, and long-term strategic outlook with proven results.
• Successful leadership track record with high ethical standards.
• Highly developed persuasion, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills, fostering trust among peers, public/private stakeholders, and company leadership.
• Strong leadership, planning, management, and organizational experience, directing multiple complex projects.
• Effective communication in all forms, with the ability to educate and inform broad audiences; well-developed influencing and negotiation skills.
• Proficient in real estate databases, internet research, and Microsoft applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Real Estate Development or a related field.
• Membership in a community organization or board, with an understanding of community-driven initiatives.
• Experience applying lean processing methodologies.
• Experience in planning development and tax incentives for historical structures.

Working Conditions

This position works primarily in an office environment but may require visits to outdoor locations and occasional travel.