VP, Development, Real Estate

Olympia Development of MI LLC; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Olympia Development of Michigan seeks a senior real estate development leader to oversee comprehensive development, entitlements, financing and management of mixed-use projects in Detroit's District area.

The role requires extensive experience in development, strong leadership, and robust negotiation skills to drive value, manage risk, and ensure project success across teams and partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Development is required.
• Ten years of progressive development experience in mixed-use real estate.
• Seven years of managing real estate/urban development projects with budgets and schedules.

Responsibilities

• Lead development for ODM-controlled real estate projects from pre-development to completion and stabilization.
• Oversee acquisitions, construction, upgrades and rehabilitation of sites.
• Coordinate with internal/external consultants through pre-development, financing, due diligence and construction phases.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Relationship building

Project management

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Development

Master’s Degree in Real Estate Development

Tools

Real estate databases

Microsoft Office

Job description

Summary: Responsible for all planning, organizing, development and control of strategic plans to reactivate and oversee the management of mixed‑use real estate and facilities in The District Detroit with a particular focus on co‑development opportunities with other third‑party developers. This position will represent the organization with outside developers, contractors, potential leasers, investors or other individuals that guarantee the success of the project. The position will ensure efficiencies and profitability for all developmental and real‑estate management initiatives. The position will appropriately handle confidential and proprietary information and will operate with discretion and autonomy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the entire development process for Olympia Development of Michigan (ODM) controlled real estate projects including: Pre-development: Feasibility; Entitlements and incentives; Capitalization; Leasing.
• Development: Design and construction; Completion and stabilization.
• Maximize land development value in a manner that best serves the overall operational objectives of the enterprise.
• Oversee acquisition and construction of new sites as well as upgrades and rehabilitation of existing sites.
• Oversee internal and external consultants throughout pre‑development, entitlement, financing, due diligence and construction phases.
• Negotiate and procure contractor services on behalf of the client.
• Accountable for project capital and expense budgets and monitoring ongoing public financing obligations and covenants and ensure alignment with the overall development strategy.
• Responsible for implementation of development strategies to ensure cost, schedule, performance and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Real Estate Management: Full responsibility for all areas of the mixed‑use real estate process, including entitlement process, site/land control, feasibility, financial entitlement, and implementation.
• Assess market conditions and develop real estate strategies consistent with achieving ownership objectives and attaining optimum performance levels.
• Direct assigned development teams to ensure proper real estate development execution and regulatory compliance.
• Negotiate strategic development deals/agreements and serve in a liaison role between Olympia Development, leasers, investors and city officials.
• Anticipate risks that will impact organizational objectives and implement strategies to mitigate and manage those risks.
• Lead cross‑entity functions to ensure high quality relationships between disciplines/operational areas (i.e. Legal, Finance, Community Relations, etc.).
• Develop and implement operating guidelines that are consistent with best practices.
• Manage potential tenant relationships and attraction and retention of tenants.
• Optimize tenant‑related services, whether in house or outsourced, and negotiate and procure contractor services on behalf of the client.
• Implement and oversee strategies and processes to manage the operating and capital budget and reduce future operating costs.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Development.
• A degree in another related degree may be considered.
• A minimum of ten (10) years’ progressive experience directing development and managing a mixed‑use real estate development, including a thorough understanding of real estate strategies, planning, transactions and facilities operations.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of managing real estate/urban development projects, including timelines, budgets and resources.
• In‑depth knowledge and previous experience of the local downtown Detroit real estate market, including the highest and best utilization for the area.
• Evidence of knowledge and understanding of real estate development finances.
• Demonstrated understanding of the acquisition and due diligence process including entitlements, zoning, environmental issues and incentives.
• Evidence of being a strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement processes and plans.
• Evidence of planning acumen, analytical expertise and long‑term strategic outlook with proven results.
• Evidence of a successful leadership track record with high ethical standards.
• Evidence of highly developed persuasion, relationship building and interpersonal skills that results in the evidence of trust from peers, public and private stakeholders and company ownership/leadership.
• Strong leadership, planning, management and organizational experience, directing the outcome of multiple, complex projects.
• Demonstrated communication effectiveness in all forms and the ability to educate and inform broad audiences with evidence of well‑developed influencing and negotiation skills Proficient at real estate databases, Internet and Microsoft applications.
• No employment or contractual restrictions due to existing confidentiality and/or non‑competition agreement and ability and willingness to sign a confidentiality and non‑competition agreement with the Olympia Development of Michigan.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Master’s Degree in Real Estate Development or related field.
• Membership in a community organization or board and understanding of community‑driven initiatives.
• Experience applying lean processing methodologies.
• Experience in planning development and tax incentives for historical structures.

Working Conditions

This position will work in an office environment and will visit outdoor locations and travel occasionally. All items listed above are illustrative and not comprehensive. They are not contractual in nature and are subject to change at the discretion of Olympia Development of Michigan.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Olympia Development of Michigan is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to that individual’s race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Company will strive to provide reasonable accommodations to permit qualified applicants who have a need for an accommodation to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a job interview) if so requested.

PRIVACY POLICY

Ilitch Companies and our colleagues are committed to being the best in all that we do - whether it's providing a delicious, quality meal from Little Caesars, delivering fresh food to our Little Caesars restaurants, baking quality food products at Champion Foods, supporting world‑class teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers or offering unforgettable live entertainment at top‑rated venues like Little Caesars Arena, the Fox Theatre, Pine Knob and other area locations. Olympia Development of Michigan is dedicated to improving the lives of people who live, work, and play in Detroit and beyond. Through catalytic developments, innovative design and construction, and inclusive placemaking, Olympia Development provides and creates jobs, needed housing, and opportunities for Detroiters. The company continues to develop The District Detroit, the heart of the city’s sports and entertainment district. The District Detroit unites world‑class theaters, three multi‑use sports facilities, restaurants, retail, residential, educational, and commercial office developments. This includes Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park, the Fox Theatre, the Little Caesars World Headquarters, the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University, and the soon to be built University of Michigan Center for Innovation.