Company Overview: 

Our client is a private family office based on the north shore of Massachusetts. The office has launched a real estate development division and is looking for a Head of Development to oversee new development opportunities and ensure smooth execution of existing projects in conjunction with a Director of Construction.

Position Overview:

The Head of Development (“HOD”) will be responsible for working directly for the owners to run the predevelopment process for all private and commercial construction projects. This will include projects currently underway, those in the planning and project 'pipeline' phase, as well as all future development.

The HOD will be expected to play a lead role, in conjunction with the owners, in all preconstruction and planning meetings, design management, and communications with general contractors, engineers, architects, subcontractors (where appropriate), landscape designers and lawyers (also where appropriate), zoning and other regulatory agencies. The owners will be actively involved and regularly in attendance, though the Head will often be expected to serve independently as the owners' representative.

The HOD will play a strategic role by working closely with the owners and staff to generate, analyze and transact real estate investment opportunities, seek financing if applicable, and create high level development and construction budgets. The HOD will work together with an in-house Director of Construction during team assembly and provide input where needed on bid packages or other procurement and value engineering exercises that may impact the proforma.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategize and analyze real estate investment opportunities; assist in the origination, underwriting and due diligence of acquisition and investment transactions.
• Manage development models.
• Collect and evaluate project data, including construction cash flow requirements, operating income, and expense projections for project proformas.
• Maintain project budgets and schedules and report on variances.
• Report to ownership on development progress and critical decision points.
• Lead community meetings and outreach initiatives.
• Work in conjunction with owners on consistent communication with communities and submittals for entitlement and zoning related matters.
• Actively engage with internal and external stakeholders and consultants in visioning, design, and implementation of various developments, both ground up and repositioning.
• Work in tandem with Director of Construction to provide any necessary input in day-to-day management, technical direction, supervision, and coordination of design and construction.
• Communicate thoroughly and escalate issues to principals when necessary or relevant.
• Budget accountability - track spending and give feedback.
• Be a team player – collaborate openly with owners and staff and participate in regular meetings.