Director of Industrial Leasing & Business Development

Ruddell Group; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ruddell Group seeks a proven leader to drive leasing performance across its light industrial portfolio in the Southeast. You will develop tenant origination, market intelligence, and strategic growth, creating relationships with growing companies before they search for real estate and converting them into leases, expansions, and long-term partnerships.

The role combines industrial leasing, business development, tenant origination, and strategic growth, with a focus on increasing cash flow,

Qualifications

• Lead leasing strategy across the portfolio.
• Maintain occupancy targets of 95%+.
• Protect rental rates and drive NOI growth.
• Identify expansion opportunities within tenant relationships.
• Develop retention strategies to strengthen occupancy and tenant satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with expanding industrial companies in the Southeast.
• Develop a qualified pipeline of prospective tenants before site searches begin.
• Create anchor tenant relationships for future developments.
• Develop long-term relationships with company executives and decision-makers.
• Identify expansion requirements before they enter the market.
• Strengthen relationships with brokers, site selectors, EDOs, and municipal leaders.
• Stay informed on labour trends, incentives, infrastructure investments and market conditions.
• Identify future development opportunities and target markets.
• Increase visibility and awareness of the Ruddell platform in the region.

Skills

Leasing strategy

Business development

Market intelligence

Relationship building

Strategic growth planning

Job description

Ruddell Group acquires, develops, and operates light industrial real estate throughout the South Eastern United States. Our focus is on industrial parks and buildings generally under 100,000 square feet serving growing; Light manufacturers, advanced manufacturers, assemblers, regional distributors, and business-to-business service companies.

Our portfolio is growing and we are seeking a proven leader who can help drive leasing performance while creating tenant relationships that support future development.

The Opportunity

This role combines industrial leasing, business development, tenant origination, market intelligence, and strategic growth. Success is measured by creating relationships with growing companies before they enter a formal real estate search process and converting those relationships into leases, build-to-suits, expansions, and long-term partnerships.

The Ideal Candidate Will Help Ruddell

• Increase cash flow and portfolio value
• Create a pipeline for future tenants

Key Responsibilities

• Lead leasing strategy across the existing portfolio
• Maintain occupancy targets of 95%+
• Protect rental rates and drive NOI growth
• Identify expansion opportunities within existing tenant relationships
• Develop retention strategies that strengthen occupancy and tenant satisfaction

Tenant Development & Business Generation

• Build relationships with expanding industrial companies throughout the Southeast
• Develop a qualified pipeline of prospective tenants before formal site searches begin
• Create anchor tenant relationships for future developments
• Develop long-term relationships with company executives and decision-makers
• Identify expansion requirements before they become active market requirements
• Strengthen relationships with brokers, site selectors, economic development organizations, and municipal leaders
• Stay informed on labour trends, incentives, infrastructure investments, and industrial market conditions
• Help identify future development opportunities and target markets
• Increase visibility and awareness of the Ruddell platform throughout the region

Strategic Growth

• Advise leadership on future building programs and development timing
• Provide market intelligence that influences investment decisions
• Support public-private partnership initiatives and municipal relationships
• Help shape the long-term growth strategy of the platform

Compensation Includes

• Performance-based cash incentives
• Phantom equity participation
• Potential carried-interest opportunities
• Medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits
• For the right candidate, this role provides a significant opportunity to participate in the growth of an entrepreneurial industrial real estate platform.

Job Duties Disclaimer

The duties and responsibilities outlined here are representative but not exhaustive of the tasks that the employee may be required to perform. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other tasks as necessary to meet business needs.

Autocar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable Accommodations (ADA Compliance)

Autocar complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Employees who require assistance or accommodation should contact Human Resources