Development Director: Strategy, Financing & Delivery

Dormont Manufacturing Co; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Olympia Development of Michigan seeks a Director of Development to lead the development and execution of large-scale real estate projects in Detroit and beyond. This role oversees underwriting, entitlements, incentives, capital structure and the full lifecycle from design through turnover.

You will collaborate with senior leadership, manage budgets, coordinate with public and private stakeholders, and drive strategic capital deployment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate development, business administration, economics, finance or related field.
• 10 years minimum of commercial real estate development sector related experience
• Knowledge of the local Downtown Detroit real estate market
• Proven track record of developing projects through completion.
• Thorough overall understanding of real estate strategies, planning, development, construction, transactions and project management.
• Solid understanding of real estate finance.
• Understanding of acquisition and due diligence process, including entitlements, zoning, environmental issues and incentives.
• Highly persuasive and credible to earn trust of peers, public and private stakeholders and company ownership/leadership.
• Strong leadership, planning, management and organizational experience.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement processes and plans.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including excellent presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior leadership to shape and implement the development strategy for Detroit and future opportunities.
• Provide strategic leadership across all development disciplines, including planning, due diligence and capital structure.
• Oversee creation and management of development concepts, plans and budgets, ensuring on-time delivery.
• Manage acquisition and execution of new ground-up developments and upgrades of existing sites.
• Lead consultants through pre-development, entitlement, financing, due diligence and construction phases.
• Manage ongoing public financing opportunities, obligations and covenants aligned with strategy.
• Liaise with public/private stakeholders, government officials and company leadership.
• Prepare and present to committee members on value creation, risks, budget and design.
• Provide leadership in capital deployment and deal structuring (debt, equity, JVs).

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Project management

Financial analysis

Due diligence

Entitlements

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in real estate development, business administration, economics, finance or related field

Job description

Olympia Development of Michigan seeks a Director of Development to lead the development and execution of large-scale real estate projects in Detroit and beyond. This role oversees underwriting, entitlements, incentives, capital structure and the full lifecycle from design through turnover.

You will collaborate with senior leadership, manage budgets, coordinate with public and private stakeholders, and drive strategic capital deployment.