Director of Real Estate Development

Job Title: Director of Real Estate Development

About Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC)

Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and investment throughout Downtown Jamaica, Queens. Through strategic real estate development, public-private partnerships, commercial revitalization, and community investment, GJDC promotes sustainable development and business expansion while improving the quality of life for residents and stakeholders.

*COVER LETTER REQUIRED WITH RESUME SUBMISSION*

Position Summary

The Director of Real Estate Development is responsible for advancing GJDC’s real estate development, capital projects, and community development initiatives. The Director will manage a diverse portfolio ranging from smaller capital projects to major developments exceeding $200 million in total development costs, including large-scale public-private development initiatives, the repositioning and buildout of GJDC-owned properties, community capital projects, real estate transactions, and real estate development advisory assignments.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director will serve as a key project lead and external representative of GJDC, coordinating with development partners, architects, engineers, contractors, legal counsel, brokers, government agencies, elected officials, community organizations, consultants, and other stakeholders. The Director will also help advance current and future phases of major development initiatives, including land-use and governmental approvals, development strategy, public-private partnerships and joint ventures, and developer solicitation and selection processes.

The Director will work closely with the Director of Property Management on projects that will ultimately transition into GJDC’s operating portfolio, ensuring that operational considerations are incorporated into planning, design, construction, and turnover.

The position requires a professional with a strong understanding of the real estate development process who can lead complex projects, navigate public-sector processes, build strong stakeholder relationships, and advance initiatives from concept through implementation. The ideal candidate will be comfortable managing multidisciplinary teams and development partners, evaluating development strategies and opportunities, and coordinating the approvals, partnerships, and resources needed to move projects forward. The role also requires practical experience with design, permitting, budgeting, scheduling, and construction oversight, particularly for GJDC-led capital projects; however, construction management is one component of the position rather than its primary focus.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Real Estate Development and Public-Private Initiatives: Manage GJDC-led and partnered real estate development projects from early planning through implementation, including feasibility, development strategy, due diligence, land-use and governmental approvals, design coordination, financing milestones, joint ventures, development agreements, construction oversight, and project closeout. Represent GJDC in complex initiatives involving developers, government agencies, elected officials, community stakeholders, legal counsel, and consultants, including future development phases and developer solicitation or selection processes where appropriate.
• Oversee GJDC-Led Capital and Adaptive Reuse Projects: Manage the renovation, buildout, and repositioning of GJDC-owned or controlled properties, including coordination of architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, permitting agencies, budgets, schedules, and construction activities. Work closely with the Director of Property Management to incorporate operational needs and ensure an effective transition to ongoing building operations.
• Identify and Advance New Real Estate Opportunities: Proactively identify and evaluate acquisition, redevelopment, adaptive reuse, commercial, retail, and partnership opportunities that advance GJDC’s mission. Coordinate due diligence, negotiations, and transaction execution with senior leadership, brokers, legal counsel, and other advisors.
• Manage Government, Community, and Stakeholder Relationships: Build and maintain relationships with City and State agencies, elected officials, civic organizations, community groups, business stakeholders, and other partners, and represent GJDC in meetings, presentations, working groups, and public discussions related to assigned projects.
• Support Funding, Development Tracking, and Executive Reporting: Partner with the Director of Resource Development on grants and project funding; maintain GJDC’s development pipeline and GIS-based development map; monitor development activity and opportunity sites; and provide regular project, budget, schedule, risk, and decision updates to the Chief Operating Officer and senior leadership.

Qualifications & Preferred Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, urban planning, architecture, construction management, public administration, finance, economic development, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in real estate development, economic development, public-private development, capital projects, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects and working with government agencies, developers, consultants, community stakeholders, and other external partners.
• Strong working knowledge of the real estate development process, including due diligence, land use, project budgeting, design, permitting, scheduling, construction oversight, and project delivery.
• Experience with public-private partnerships, joint ventures, development agreements, developer RFPs, real estate transactions, adaptive reuse or building renovation projects, and/or GIS and development-tracking tools is preferred.

Compensation: $140,000-$155,000, based on qualifications and experience.

Greater Jamaica Development is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan, professional development opportunities, and other employee wellness and work-life benefits. Eligibility is subject to plan terms and organizational policy.