Strategic Leader, Industrial Growth & Leasing

GVW Group; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Job summary

Ruddell Group in Birmingham, AL seeks a Head of Industrial Growth & Leasing to scale the Southeast industrial platform. You will lead leasing across assets, build tenant demand before development, and drive occupancy and NOI growth while shaping future expansions.

The role requires a commercially minded operator who excels at relationships, pipeline creation, and market intelligence to execute strategic opportunities. Relocation support is available.

Qualifications

• Proven track record leasing industrial assets and creating tenant demand.
• Experience leading leasing strategy across a portfolio.
• Ability to build relationships with executive leadership and decision-makers.

Responsibilities

• Lead leasing strategy across the existing portfolio and maintain occupancy targets.
• Develop tenant development and business generation initiatives to build pipeline.
• Strengthen market development through brokers, sites selectors, and ED organizations.
• Advise leadership on growth strategy and development timing.

Skills

Industrial leasing

Business development

Negotiation

Relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree in real estate or business

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Head of Industrial Leasing

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.

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 thecompany'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

We recognize that successful candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds, including:

• 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 & Long-Term Upside

Ruddell Group offers a highly competitive compensation structure designed to reward transaction execution, portfolio performance, and long-term value creation.

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 just20 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 maybe requiredto 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:
Autocaris 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