Vice President, Real Estate Development & Planning

North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization focused on urban development is seeking a Vice President of Real Estate Development & Planning to transform Cleveland's Downtown Lakefront. This leadership role entails overseeing strategic real estate initiatives, guiding capital development, and engaging with various stakeholders to ensure alignment with organizational goals. Candidates should have over 7 years of experience in real estate leadership, strong financial skills, and excellent communication abilities. Competitive salary range of $125,000-$175,000 based on experience.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive real estate development leadership.
• Proven success with complex development and capital planning.
• Strong financial acumen and knowledge of zoning and permitting.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization’s long-term real estate and facilities strategy.
• Oversee comprehensive master planning and feasibility studies.
• Monitor market trends, zoning, and demographic shifts.
• Manage relationships with planners, developers, and consultants.

Skills

Real estate development leadership

Financial acumen

Zoning and permitting knowledge

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder management

Job description

The North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation (NCWDC) is dedicated to transforming Cleveland's Downtown Lakefront into a vibrant and accessible destination for residents,business, and recreation. We are a nonprofit organizationestablishedin collaboration with key regional stakeholders, including the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and the Greater Cleveland Partnership. Our mission is to implement a unified vision for the Lakefront and drive the execution of catalytic projects that will reshape the city.

Position Summary

The Vice President, Real Estate Development & Planning is a strategic, forward-looking leader responsible for guiding the organization’s real estate portfolio, long-range planning, capital development strategy, and major construction projects. This role oversees all aspects of lease and development strategy, master planning, design, development, project management, and real estate operations to ensure alignment with organizational goals, financial sustainability, community impact, and long-term growth.

The VP serves as the organization’s primary expert and advisor on real estate strategy, development partnerships, facilities planning, and land use, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, andin accordance withregulatory, safety, and environmental standards.

The VP will work closely with a master developer,additionaldevelopment teams, a master planner, and theCityplanning department – as well asadditionalstakeholders – to coordinate the development of a new master plan andultimately turnthat plan into reality.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Lead the organization’s long-term real estate and facilities strategy.
• Oversee comprehensive master planning and feasibility studies.
• Partner with executive leadership to align real estate decisions with strategy.
• Monitor market trends, zoning, and demographic shifts to inform planning.
• Lead initiatives from concept through completion, including acquisition and construction.
• Manage relationships with planners, developers, and consultants
• Oversee project budgets, pro formas, funding strategies, and due diligence.

Planning & Design

• Direct capital planning, space studies, and facility assessments.
• Champion sustainability, accessibility, and design excellence.
• Evaluate innovative approaches to environmental stewardship.
• Manage multi-year development and capital budgets.
• Develop cost models, funding plans, and revenueanalyses.
• Secure financing, grants, and partnership support.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

• Build relationships with government, community leaders, and partners.
• Represent the organization in planning meetings and hearings.
• Communicate project impacts and timelines transparently.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive real estate development leadership.
• Proven success with complex development and capital planning.
• Strong financial acumen and knowledge of zoning and permitting.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship skills.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Planning & Visioning
• Stakeholder Management
• Contract Negotiation
• Government & Community Relations
• Hybrid work environment (customizeas needed).
• Occasional evening or weekend hours for Board meetings or key events.

Compensation for this role will bedeterminedbased on the candidate’s skills, experience, and overall qualifications, within the established salary range of $125,000-$175,000.