Director, Land Development Entity

Northwest Indiana RDA; Crown Point (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Northwest Indiana Land Development Entity (LDE) Director will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of a region-wide brownfield initiative serving Northwest Indiana. Reporting to the CEO, the Director will lead efforts to identify, assess, remediate, and redevelop environmentally challenged properties into productive community assets.

The role requires hands-on execution, building a sustainable project pipeline, securing grant funding, managing complex partnerships, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental management, civil or environmental engineering, or closely related field.
• Master’s degree and relevant professional certifications are preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in brownfield reclamation and redevelopment or related field.
• Experience with EPA Brownfields Programs and state environmental agencies.
• Experience securing and managing federal or state grants.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Familiarity with Northwest Indiana and regional brownfield issues.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement LDE’s brownfield strategy.
• Identify and prioritize brownfields opportunities that align with regional economic development goals.
• Build organizational capacity and establish operational systems, policies, and performance measures.
• Advise CEO and Board on strategic initiatives, funding opportunities, and program performance.
• Lead brownfields projects from site identification through environmental assessment, remediation, funding, and redevelopment.
• Manage multiple projects with timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations.
• Coordinate consultants, engineers, environmental professionals, legal counsel, developers, and public agencies.
• Monitor project performance and ensure regulatory and funding compliance.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with municipalities, counties, redevelopment commissions, and partners.
• Serve as LDE’s primary representative with local, state, and federal partners.
• Foster collaboration across jurisdictions to advance regional redevelopment priorities.
• Identify, pursue, and secure federal, state, and philanthropic funding opportunities.
• Lead or oversee grant writing, administration, reporting, and compliance.
• Engage residents and community leaders; communicate complex issues clearly.

Skills

Leadership

Grant writing

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

The Northwest Indiana Land Development Entity (LDE) Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of a region-wide brownfield initiative serving Northwest Indiana. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director will lead LDE’s efforts to identify, assess, remediate, and redevelop environmentally challenged properties into productive community assets.

The Director will work collaboratively with the CEO, Board of Directors, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, local governments, developers, property owners, state and federal agencies, consultants, and community partners to advance transformative brownfield redevelopment projects. This role requires both strategic vision and hands‑on execution, with responsibility for building a sustainable project pipeline, securing grant funding, managing complex partnerships, and establishing the organization as a trusted regional leader in brownfields.

Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement LDE’s brownfield strategy.

Identify and prioritize brownfields opportunities that align with regional economic development goals.

Build organizational capacity and help establish operational systems, policies, and performance measures.

Advise the CEO and Board on strategic initiatives, funding opportunities, and program performance.

Lead brownfields projects from site identification through environmental assessment, remediation, funding, and redevelopment.

Manage multiple projects simultaneously while balancing timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations.

Coordinate consultants, engineers, environmental professionals, legal counsel, developers, and public agencies.

Monitor project performance and ensure compliance with regulatory and funding requirements.

Partnership Development

Develop and maintain strong relationships with municipalities, counties, redevelopment commissions, economic development organizations, developers, property owners, and community organizations.

Serve as LDE’s primary representative with local, state, and federal partners.

Foster collaboration across multiple jurisdictions to advance regional redevelopment priorities.

Funding & Resource Development

Identify, pursue, and secure federal, state, and philanthropic funding opportunities.

Lead or oversee grant writing, administration, reporting, and compliance.

Develop funding strategies that leverage public and private investment.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

Engage residents, neighborhood organizations, elected officials, and community leaders throughout the process.

Communicate complex environmental and redevelopment issues in a clear, accessible manner.

Build trust through transparency, collaboration, and responsiveness.

Organizational Development

Establish systems for tracking project outcomes and organizational performance.

Prepare reports and presentations for the CEO, Board, funding agencies, and partners.

Represent LDE at conferences, public meetings, and industry events.

Promote LDE’s mission and regional impact.

Education and Qualifications:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental management, civil or environmental engineering, or a closely related field.
• A master's degree and relevant professional certifications are preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in brownfield reclamation and redevelopment, environmental consulting, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Experience working with EPA Brownfields Programs and state environmental agencies.
• Knowledge of environmental assessment and remediation practices
• Experience securing and managing federal or state grants.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Experience with redevelopment finance, public incentives, and public-private partnerships.
• Familiarity with Northwest Indiana and regional brownfield issues.