Deputy Director Real Estate Strategy and Development

Massachusetts Port Authority; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 215,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance

Inclusive culture

Growth opportunities

Safe work environment

Support for New England

Positive impact

Community partnership

Environmental protection

Job summary

Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) seeks a Deputy Director Real Estate Strategy and Development to lead high‑profile real estate initiatives across our offices, maritime assets, and waterfront communities. You will shape strategy, drive long‑term value, and manage complex public‑private projects with diplomacy and executive presence.

You will build trusted relationships with government and private partners, mentor teams, ensure sustainable, revenue‑generating growth, and advance Massport’s

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, business administration, architecture/planning, public administration, or related field required.
• 15+ years of leadership experience overseeing complex real estate development, master planning, asset management, or related initiatives.
• Deep expertise in real estate development, finance, and market analysis, including entitlements and feasibility.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management; ability to influence executives and communities.

Responsibilities

• Guide planning, growth, and long‑term value creation of a diverse real estate portfolio.
• Advise across executive leadership, public agencies, private developers, and stakeholders.
• Evaluate opportunities, assess risk, and drive informed investment decisions.
• Lead teams to deliver complex initiatives and strategic growth.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Market analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in real estate

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

The Massachusetts Port Authority is Going Above and Beyond™ for your career. We are a dynamic organization that connects people and businesses to the global community by air, land, and sea. Our employees are essential in moving planes, cargo, and cruise ships safely, efficiently, and sustainably. We are an economic engine, managing real estate assets where people live, work, and play. Together, the properties we own and operate generate $20 billion for the region’s economy.

Massport’s Real Estate and Asset Management (REAM) team is responsible for developing and managing a diverse portfolio, which includes commercial and maritime assets on approximately 450 acres in East Boston, Charlestown, and South Boston. REAM oversees more than 10 million square feet of built assets, ranging from office buildings, hotels, and residential projects to seafood processing plants, shipyards, and marinas. These projects are often built in partnership with private development teams under long-term ground leases. The team is heavily involved in urban and infrastructure planning, architectural design review, place‑making and activation programming, and sustainability and resiliency planning and policy as well as the business side of managing tenant leases and relationships. This work requires extensive coordination and collaboration with the city, state, and federal agencies and non-profit organizations. Three broad priorities drive REAM’s work: generating a sustained revenue stream for Massport to invest in port terminals and support port operations, stimulating economic development and job growth, and creating inviting waterfront communities and spaces. One of our recent initiatives is exploring opportunities and partnerships for Massport to support the growth of “blue economy”, or marine-related, innovative businesses in Boston Harbor.

ABOUT YOU

As a Deputy Director Real Estate Strategy and Development, you are a strategic and influential real estate development leader who combines strong commercial acumen, financial sophistication, and sound judgment to advance complex, high‑profile initiatives that create long‑term value. You excel at building trusted relationships across the public and private sectors, navigating competing interests with diplomacy and credibility, and translating complex challenges into actionable solutions. As a collaborative and people‑centered leader, you inspire high‑performing teams, foster innovation and continuous improvement, and bring the vision, adaptability, and executive presence needed to help shape the future of Massport’s real estate portfolio and strategic growth objectives.

What you will do:

• Strategic leader with the vision and business acumen to guide the planning, growth, and long‑term value creation of a diverse real estate portfolio, balancing organizational priorities with evolving market opportunities and industry trends.
• Trusted advisor and relationship builder capable of working effectively across executive leadership, public agencies, private developers, community stakeholders, and internal partners to advance complex initiatives and achieve shared objectives.
• Sophisticated real estate professional with strong financial, commercial, and analytical expertise, able to evaluate opportunities, assess risk, negotiate favorable outcomes, and drive informed decision‑making in a dynamic and highly visible environment.
• Collaborative and inspiring people leader committed to developing talent, fostering accountability and innovation, and building high‑performing teams that deliver exceptional results while supporting Massport’s strategic vision and long‑term success.

What you offer:

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, business administration, architecture/planning, public administration, or a related field required; Master’s degree or advanced professional degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience overseeing complex real estate development, master planning, asset management, or related initiatives, with a proven track record of managing large‑scale projects, guiding multidisciplinary teams, and driving strategic planning, policy development, and project execution. Experience in both the public and private sectors is highly desirable.
• Deep expertise in real estate development, finance, and market analysis, including land use planning, development entitlements, valuation, feasibility analysis, environmental review processes, and regulatory frameworks. Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex opportunities, assess risk, and support informed investment and development decisions.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build consensus, influence decision‑making, and foster collaboration among executive leaders, public agencies, private sector partners, and community stakeholders. A strong understanding of, and appreciation for, the evolving real estate, planning, and policy landscape of Boston and its waterfront communities is a plus.

WHAT WE OFFER

Collaboration with colleagues at all levels of leadership from all different disciplines, from Aviation to Maritime and beyond. Every day is different at Massport and the breadth of our impact on the Massachusetts region through our facilities provides many opportunities for our employees to grow, learn, and explore the many areas of our business. Our business is all about connecting. We support and take pride in the employees that make those connections possible each and every day.

• Work/life balance
• A supportive and inclusive culture
• Opportunities for growth
• Providing safe, healthy, and secure work environment
• Supporting the people and businesses of New England
• Achieving results and having positive impact
• Being good neighbours in the communities we serve
• Protecting the environment

The salary range for this position is $215,000 to $240,000 annually and will be determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, education, certifications, training, specialized skills, and overall qualifications.

The Deputy Director Real Estate Strategy and Development oversees Massport’s real estate development portfolio and execution of complex commercial, residential, maritime, and mixed‑use development projects, working under the strategic direction of the Chief Development Officer. The position leads development planning, partner selection, financial analysis, stakeholder engagement, and project implementation while managing the Development Unit and collaborating across the organization to advance Massport’s long‑term real estate objectives and maximize asset value.