Director, Real Estate Development

Jobless; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent Benefits

Competitive Total Rewards

CAD 150k-180k salary range

Employee Match Program

Learning & Development Opportunities

Diversity & Inclusion

Job summary

Forum Asset Management is seeking a Director, Real Estate Development to lead day-to-day development activities in Toronto, from site acquisition through entitlements to construction. Based in our Toronto office, you will coordinate with the Investment Team and external consultants to ensure projects meet budgets, timelines, and target returns.

The role requires a university degree in urban planning or real estate development, 7+ years of Canadian experience, and a track record in mid-to

Qualifications

• Degree in urban planning, real estate development, or related discipline; graduate degree an asset.
• 7+ years of Canadian private-sector experience in development planning and project management.
• Experience advancing mid- to high-rise mixed-use or condominium development from acquisition through entitlement to construction.
• Proven ability to lead external consultant teams and manage multi-project budgets.
• Strong history of relationship-building with municipal staff, community groups, and officials.
• AI-savvy with ability to use tools for planning, feasibility, and zoning analysis.

Responsibilities

• Define the project vision and communicate it effectively to internal teams, external partners, and the public.
• Lead development through site acquisition to entitlements, permitting, and construction.
• Build and manage project budgets and forecasts, approving consultant invoices against budget.
• Hire and lead consultant teams for development applications and public meetings.
• Prepare and manage approvals such as OPAs, ZBLAs, SPAs, and building permits.
• Oversee day-to-day development progress and provide cross-divisional support.
• Navigate policy, agreements, and legal documents related to development.
• Prepare quarterly development reports and update senior management.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Stakeholder management

AI-enabled analysis

Budgeting

Leadership

Education

Urban planning or real estate development degree

Graduate degree asset

Tools

Word

Outlook

Excel

Job description

Location: In-Office, 181 Bay Street, Toronto

Work Schedule: Full-time, in-office (5 days/week)

About Forum:

Delivering Extraordinary Outcomes through Investment.

Forum Asset Management is a North American investor, developer, and asset manager with a 30+ year track record of delivering long-term value through real estate, private equity, and infrastructure investments. We are a purpose-driven firm committed to sustainability, responsible investing, and making a positive impact in the communities where we invest.

With over $3.9 billion in AUM, Forum is one of Canada's most dynamic investment platforms. In 2024, we completed the country’s largest real estate transaction through our acquisition of Alignvest Student Housing, making us the largest owner and developer of Purpose-Built Student Accommodations (PBSA) in Canada. Our open-ended Real Estate Income and Impact Fund (REIIF) is now over $2.9 billion, backed by a $4.0 billion+ development pipeline that spans coast to coast.

Forum is also building one of the fastest-growing self-storage platforms in Canada, focused on acquiring, developing, and operating institutional-grade storage facilities in undersupplied urban markets.

REIIF Overview:

Forum Real Estate Income and Impact Fund (REIIF), Forum’s flagship private REIT, is a sector-leading Fund investing in institutional-quality purpose-built student housing, as well as multi-family rentals and furnished apartments, in supply-constrained markets across Canada.

Launched in December 2021 with gross assets totaling $200M, REIIF ended 2025 at ~$2.8B of gross assets. REIIF has grown through its access to Forum’s proprietary development pipeline and through the recent acquisition of Alignvest Student Housing REIT. REIIF’s portfolio includes 32 assets spanning coast to coast, making it the largest owner of Purpose-Built Student Accommodations (PBSA) in Canada.

Position Overview:

Forum Asset Management is seeking a Director, Real Estate Development to lead the day-to-day execution of development projects through municipal approvals, entitlements, and construction, reporting to the Vice President, Real Estate Development. Based in our Toronto office, this role will be a key member of the Real Estate Development team and will contribute to executing Forum’s growing development pipeline, ensuring projects are appropriately evaluated, budgets are adhered to, and target returns are achieved.

This role sits within Forum's growing development business, which is building a multi-billion-dollar pipeline of sustainable adaptive re-use and ground-up projects across Canada. The Director will manage a portfolio of specific projects and consultant teams through the development process, from site acquisition through municipal entitlements to construction, working closely with the Investment Team to keep projects grounded in sound planning principles and market realities. The role also supports due diligence and feasibility work, including highest and best use analysis, on new site acquisitions. This posting is for an existing vacancy at Forum.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Establish the project vision for each development and communicate it effectively to internal teams, external partners, and the public.
• Lead and manage projects through the development process, from site acquisition to municipal entitlements, permitting, and construction.
• Build and manage project budgets and forecasts, including approving and processing consultant invoices against approved budget and timing.
• Hire and lead consultant teams to produce materials for internal review, development applications, and public meetings, including critical review of plans, reports, and studies.
• Prepare, submit, and manage development approvals such as OPAs, ZBLAs, Section 37 agreements, draft plans of subdivision, SPAs, minor variances, and building permits.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of development projects from feasibility through completion, and provide development support to other Real Estate divisions including project management, asset management, and investments.
• Navigate and negotiate development-related policy, agreements, and legal documents.
• Prepare quarterly development reports and present periodic status updates to senior management.
• Monitor and report on changes to municipal planning regimes affecting Forum properties, as well as adjacent applications in key markets.
• Build and maintain relationships with municipal agency staff, neighbourhood associations, BIAs, and other local stakeholders.
• Represent Forum with industry associations and at conferences and career-building events to build relationships and market profile.
• Support the training, mentoring, and professional development of team members, and contribute to continuous improvement of internal development processes.
• Identify practical ways to use AI tools, such as for planning research, feasibility modelling, or zoning and market analysis, to speed up project execution and improve the quality of decisions.

Candidate Profile:

• Degree in urban planning, real estate development, or a related discipline; a graduate degree or relevant professional accreditation is an asset.
• Approximately 7+ years of progressively senior Canadian private-sector experience in development planning and project management; experience across multiple provinces is an asset.
• Direct experience advancing mid- to high-rise mixed-use, multi-residential, or condominium development projects from acquisition through entitlement and into construction.
• Proven track record leading external consultant teams and managing multi-project budgets on time and on budget.
• Strong history of building relationships with municipal and review agency staff, community groups, and elected officials and their staff.
• Ability to assess and communicate real estate risk and opportunity, and to present complex information clearly and accurately to senior management.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias for ownership, sound judgment under competing priorities, and comfort operating in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• AI-native instincts are considered a strong asset - comfort using AI tools to accelerate market research, feasibility analysis, zoning review, or reporting, paired with a builder mentality that is always looking for a better way to execute.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across internal teams, external consultants, and municipal officials; proficient in Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Invest in Yourself:

• Excellent Benefits – A top-tier insurance program designed to keep you healthy, active, and supported, plus a $1,000 annual wellness credit.
• Competitive Total Rewards – We value our team members and offer a well-rounded package that includes competitive pay, paid time off, and performance-based incentives.
• Compensation – We are committed to supporting your success and are offering a salary range of $150,000 – 180,000 CAD for this position.
• Employee Match Program – Invest alongside Forum with access to a matching contribution program.
• Learning and Development Opportunities – Access support for professional designations, TTI behavioural assessments, and quarterly learning forums to grow your skills and industry knowledge. We believe in Best Idea Wins and foster an entrepreneurial environment where your input has real impact.
• Diverse & Inclusive Team – We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to maintaining the highest standards of equity and inclusion.
• Employee Referral Program – Receive a generous bonus when your referral joins our team.
• Social Impact - Enjoy paid volunteer days and opportunities to participate in team-led community initiatives.
• Quarterly All Teams – Sessions with your colleagues across the business to share insights, celebrate success, and spotlight culture.
• Lunch & Learns – Regular opportunities to connect, learn, and exchange knowledge with peers across the business.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage:

Forum uses AI tools to support the screening and assessment of applications for this role. These tools inform, but do not replace, the judgment of our human hiring team, who make all final hiring decisions.

Forum Commitment:

At Forum, we encourage diversity. We are committed to an inclusive workplace that reflects our belief that diversity is central to building a high-performing team. Forum is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices. Should you require an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment process, please let the recruitment team know [e-mail]