Head of Industrial Growth and Leasing

GVW Group; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary

Incentives

Phantom equity

Promotion opportunities

Carried-interest

Benefits package

Job summary

Ruddell Group is seeking a Head of Industrial Leasing to scale its Southeast industrial platform. This leadership role focuses on leasing assets, creating tenant demand before development, and shaping future growth with direct collaboration with company leadership.

The ideal candidate will lead leasing, tenant development, market intelligence, and strategic growth, driving occupancy and portfolio value while building long-term relationships with industrial tenants and brokers.

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial leasing and portfolio management.
• Ability to develop tenant pipelines and build-to-suit opportunities.
• Strong relationships with brokers, economic development groups, and corporate clients.

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.
• Build relationships with expanding industrial companies throughout the Southeast.
• Develop a qualified pipeline of prospective tenants before formal site searches begin.
• Generate build-to-suit opportunities.
• Create anchor tenant relationships for future developments.
• Develop long-term relationships with company executives and decision-makers.

Skills

Industrial leasing

Portfolio management

Tenant development

Build-to-suit

Industrial brokerage

Site selection

Economic development

Corporate real estate

Relationship building

Job description

About Ruddell Group

Ruddell Group is building a differentiated industrial real estate platform focused on the growing light industrial sector across the Southeast.We are looking for a relationship-driven operator who can increase occupancy, create tenant demand, originate build-to-suit opportunities, and help shape where we grow next.

Description

Head of Industrial Leasing

Ruddell Group is building a differentiated industrial real estate platform focused on the growing light industrial sector across the Southeast.We are looking for a relationship-driven operator who can increase occupancy, create tenant demand, originate build-to-suit opportunities, and help shape where we grow next.

If you are energized by building relationships, creating opportunities, and making a direct impact on the growth of a company, we'd welcome the opportunity to speak with you.

Build the Leasing Engine of a Growing Industrial Platform

Ruddell Group is seeking a Head of Industrial Leasing to help scale our industrial real estate platform across the Southeast. This is a high-impact leadership role focused on leasing existing assets, creating tenant demand before buildings are developed, and helping drive the next phase of the company's growth. You will work directly with company leadership to increase occupancy, originate build-to-suit opportunities, cultivate relationships with expanding industrial companies, and influence where and how future developments are built. This role is designed for a commercially minded operator who enjoys building relationships, creating opportunities, and turning market intelligence into executed transactions.

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

• Maintain industry-leading occupancy
• Increase cash flow and portfolio value
• Create a pipeline for future tenants
• Support future public-private partnership opportunities
• Shape future development decisions based on real tenant demand

Key Responsibilities

• Portfolio Leasing & Asset Performance
• 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
• Generate build-to-suit opportunities
• 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

Market Development

• 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

Who Thrives in This Role

• Industrial leasing
• Industrial development
• Industrial brokerage
• Build-to-suit development
• Corporate real estate
• Site selection
• Economic development
• Manufacturing business development
• Industrial operations or expansion planning

Most importantly, we are seeking someone who wants to help grow an industrial real estate platform, not simply manage an existing portfolio.

Compensation Includes

• Base salary
• Performance-based cash incentives
• Phantom equity participation
• Development promotes 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.

Location: Birmingham, AL

Regular travel throughout the Southeast is required.

We offer a generous relocation package to help make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible.

• Birmingham is one of the Southeast’s most dynamic and affordable cities, recognized nationally as a growing business hub and an attractive destination for professionals. The area offers a lower cost of living than many major metropolitan markets, a thriving culinary and entertainment scene, and convenient access to lakes, parks, and weekend destinations throughout the region.
• Enjoy the best of both worlds—our Autocar facility is located just 20 minutes from downtown Birmingham, providing easy access to the city’s amenities while maintaining a convenient commute.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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