Director, Real Estate & Economic Development, Texas

HR&A Advisors; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 131,600 - 153,779; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Retirement account contributions

Health, dental and vision coverage

Hybrid work model

Job summary

HR&A Advisors, Inc. in Dallas seeks a Director with 8–12 years in government, urban planning, economic development, or related consulting to lead high‑stakes real estate and economic development assignments.

The Director will advise mayors, agency heads, developers, and institutional clients, lead multidisciplinary teams, manage proposals, perform market feasibility, financial analyses, and design strategy while mentoring junior staff in a hybrid work model.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years in government, urban planning, economic development, real‑estate, housing, or public‑policy consulting.
• Master’s degree or equivalent in a related field is preferred but substitution possible with experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex real‑estate, public‑private partnership, and economic‑development strategies.
• Conduct market feasibility, business planning, fiscal, and economic impact studies.
• Design public‑private partnership strategies and analyze public‑policy implications.
• Manage developer solicitations and conduct pro‑forma financial and land‑value analyses.
• Develop inclusive community and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Review and present client deliverables, including reports and presentations.
• Support business‑development activities, writing proposals and cultivating client relationships.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to internal improvement initiatives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical problem solving

Cross‑sector collaboration

Team leadership

Mentorship

Client management

Communication skills

AI tools proficiency

AI data analysis experience

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in city planning, economic development, real estate, public policy, or related field

Job description

About Us

HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee‑owned consulting firm that assists public, private, non‑profit, and philanthropic clients improve the quality of life in cities.

About You

You have 8–12 years of experience in government, urban planning, economic development, real‑estate, housing, or public‑policy consulting. You are a strategic thinker and analytical problem‑solver, passionate about equitable urban development, and adept at cross‑sector collaboration.

The Role

HR&A seeks a Director in Dallas. Remote candidates based in Texas will be considered only if they are willing to travel to the Dallas office regularly.

The Director will advise mayors, agency heads, real‑estate owners, developers, and institutional clients on high‑stakes real‑estate and economic‑development decisions. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex real‑estate, public‑private partnership, and economic‑development strategies.
• Conduct market feasibility, business planning, fiscal, and economic impact studies.
• Design public‑private partnership strategies and analyze public‑policy implications.
• Manage developer solicitations and conduct pro‑forma financial and land‑value analyses.
• Develop inclusive community and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Review and present client deliverables, including reports and presentations.
• Support business‑development activities, writing proposals and cultivating client relationships.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to internal improvement initiatives.

Experience Required

• 8–12 years in government, urban planning, economic development, real‑estate, housing, public‑policy, or similar consulting fields.
• Substantial project‑management experience leading economic‑development, real‑estate, infrastructure, or parks‑and‑open‑space projects and proposals.
• Deep knowledge of Texas city land‑use, economic‑development, stakeholder, political, regulatory, and governmental processes.
• Comfort with real‑estate financial modeling and analysis.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Strong team‑leadership and mentorship abilities.
• Strong client‑management and communication skills.
• Proficiency with common AI tools and appreciation of AI limitations.
• Experience using emerging AI tools to accelerate data analysis and deliverable production.
• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in city planning, economic development, real‑estate, public policy, business, or a related field (a graduate degree may be substituted with additional experience).
• Passion for community development and inclusive urban growth.

Hybrid Work Policy

Employees must work from the office at least three days per week, balancing professional responsibilities with personal commitments while maintaining strong teamwork.

Compensation

Base salary range: $131,600–$153,779, plus a discretionary year‑end bonus. The firm offers an Employee Stock‑Ownership Plan and contributions to retirement accounts, as well as a comprehensive benefits package covering 90–95 % of health‑care premiums plus dental and vision coverage.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.