Director, Real Estate Development

Forum Asset Management; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent Benefits

Competitive Total Rewards

Salary CAD 150k-180k (CAD)

Job summary

Forum Asset Management in Toronto seeks a Director, Real Estate Development to lead day-to-day development projects from site acquisition through entitlements to construction. You will work with the Investment Team to ensure budgets, accuracy, and returns are achieved.

Based in our Toronto office, you will manage external consultants, liaise with municipal staff, and drive feasibility studies, due diligence, and market research using AI tools to speed decision-making.

Qualifications

• Degree in urban planning, real estate development, or a related discipline; a graduate degree or accreditation is an asset.
• Approximately 7+ years of progressively senior Canadian private-sector development planning and project management experience.
• Experience in mid- to high-rise mixed-use, multi-residential, or condo development from acquisition to entitlement and construction.

Responsibilities

• Establish the project vision for each development and communicate it to internal teams, external partners, and the public.
• Lead and manage projects through the development process from site acquisition to entitlements, permitting, and construction.
• Build and manage project budgets and forecasts, including approving consultant invoices against budget and timing.
• Hire and lead consultant teams to produce materials for development reviews and public meetings.
• Prepare, submit, and manage development approvals (OPAs, ZBLAs, SPAs, building permits).
• Oversee day-to-day management of development projects from feasibility through completion; support other Real Estate divisions.

Skills

Leadership & Team Management

Budget & Forecasting

Stakeholder Engagement

AI Tools in Planning

Development Process Knowledge

Education

Degree in urban planning or real estate development

Graduate degree or professional accreditation (asset)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

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.

Forum is a values-led, high-performance organization. We embrace agility and innovation, and we strive to foster a team culture grounded in integrity, collaboration, humility, and results. Our growth is fueled by our ability to identify structural real estate themes and deliver strategies that balance income, impact, and long-term value creation.

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 judgement 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 Your Career

• 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 skills and industry knowledge. We believe in Best Idea Wins and foster an entrepreneurial environmentwhere your input has real impact.
• Diverse and 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 and Learns: Regular opportunities to connect, learn, and exchange knowledge with peers across the business.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage:

Forum uses AI tools on a limited basis to support administrative tasks in the recruitment process, such as organizing applications and identifying basic keywords. These tools do not make or influence hiring decisions, which are made entirely by human reviewers.

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]

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A few words about us

Forum is an investor, developer and asset manager operating across North America for over 30 years, focusing on real estate, private equity and infrastructure, with a strategic concentration in housing. We are committed to creating value that benefits our stakeholders and the communities in which we invest, delivering what we call our Extraordinary Outcomes.

About Forum Asset Management

The enterprise value of our assets under management currently exceeds $3.9 billion. We're proud to have delivered meaningful alternative asset returns since 2002, while positively impacting over 25,499 lives.