Description
Title: Director of Real Estate Solutions - Market
Employee Status: Full Time – Exempt
Salary: Salary Grade 7
Starting range of $ – $ | Cleveland
Reports to: Senior Vice President of Real Estate Solutions
Department: Core Business Solutions – Real Estate Solutions
Location: Cleveland, OH
Hybrid: In office: T/W | WFH: M/Th/F
Department Purpose: Facilities expertise is a critical resource that’s often beyond the reach of nonprofits serving communities with limited resources. IFF works hard to change that. For more than 25 years, IFF has specialized in creative Real Estate Solutions (RES) that help nonprofits achieve their growth goals and best serve their communities. IFF’s clients include human services agencies, supportive housing providers, schools, health clinics, arts organizations, and community centers. RES takes the time to understand the nonprofit leadership’s vision and become their trusted advisor when it comes to making real estate decisions with more confidence. RES also works closely with municipalities and community-serving groups to help provide solutions to nonprofits in under-resourced communities. Because the needs of nonprofits are unique, RES has developed a specialized team of real estate specialists to support nonprofits in every step of the way, from the early stages of a project to feasibility analysis, facility condition assessments, site search and due diligence for property acquisition, all the way through construction and project closeout. RES also collaborates internally across departments to build nonprofit capacity in targeted sectors and through programmatic initiatives. RES is part of IFF’s Core Business Solutions which is a cross-cutting team that sits at the nexus of nonprofits, communities, and IFF technical knowledge. The group provides thought leadership and expertise to drive corporate strategy across markets. The primary business units in Core Business Solutions are Capital Solutions, Real Estate Solutions, Community Development Solutions, Home First, Legal and Compliance.
The Organization
IFF is a mission-driven lender, real estate consultant, and developer that helps communities thrive. Key to our success has been a deep sense of purpose, a broad perspective, and a relentless focus on achieving positive results. Across the Midwest we help clients from every sector, including human service agencies, health centers, schools, affordable housing developers, and healthy food grocery operators. Staff contribute extensive business experience and an unrivaled connection to the mission of IFF to the clients we serve.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Partnering to create thriving communities is at the heart of everything we do. We leverage knowledge, capital, and resources to advance equitable and transformational outcomes in under-resourced communities, guided by our commitment to be an inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive institution that honors communities as asset-rich and as experts in their own stories.
Basic Job Function
The Director of Real Estate Solutions provides broad level oversight, leadership and relationship management for IFF’s real estate consulting activities within their region. The Director has direct leadership responsibility for cultivating and securing business and participating in the development of strategies to strengthen and grow the activities of the department in alignment with the strategic plan. The Director works in collaboration with leaders and staff from Core Business Solutions to lead the implementation of the market plan and other initiatives and strategies.
The Director works closely with the Senior Vice President of Real Estate Solutions (SVP) to provide leadership and ensure the efficient and successful operation of the department. The Director divides his or her time between managing staff and projects, working on multiple real estate projects simultaneously; and participating in departmental planning meetings for projects and staff resource scheduling. The Director has primary responsibility for maximizing the efficiency of real estate services in order to achieve financial goals and maintain a high level of staff performance, quality of service and consistency of output.
Requirements
Core Position Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provides leadership and strategic oversight of the RES function and team in market, independently managing and developing the team, acting as the market operational and performance leader providing support to the SVP of RES in leading and growing the department, executing business strategy, and improving day-to-day operations in market:
- Supervises assigned staff including scheduling and job assignment, counseling and coaching, staff development and training, performance evaluation, and professional development, and, if necessary, disciplinary actions, in accord with the IFF’s personnel policies and procedures and with input and support from the SVP of RES and Directors of Consulting, and Executive Directors as applicable. Take corrective action when needed by utilizing iRevu feedback, direct verbal feedback, and written feedback. Maintain up-to-date performance files for all team members. Openly seek feedback from other IFF colleagues whose work is impacted by the work of the RES team.
- Ensures all aspects of project management for each project including scheduling internal and external meetings, following project steps that have been delineated, managing project team members, and ensuring project goals and milestones are being met with high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Maintains and uses IFF systems for customer, project, and program reporting/compliance requirements and ensure the team is doing the same.
- Ensures work products, transitions, staff assignments, program-level contracts budgets and schedules meet standards for quality and timeliness and, if needed, works with individual staff to improve in coordination with the Directors of Consulting and Executive Directors, as applicable.
- In partnership with the SVP of RES and other key department leads, undertakes regular and thorough program and system reviews, performance measurements, talent management strategies, and financial analyses of all RES functions, grounded in the strategic plan, and recommends changes to improve productivity, efficiency, efficacy, and use of resources.
- Identifies, establishes, and maintains relationships with key influencers and others who may be referral sources for the market.
- Provides proactive leadership for and invests in the growth and development of the RES team ensuring professional development and growth plans are in place and the team is set up for success.
- Actively participates in the annual planning process and periodically initiates in- depth planning and analysis to support growth and improve allocation of resources with a primary focus in market.
- Works with market Executive Directors to obtain feedback and support alignment between their work, exceeding customer expectations, and the ability of RES to execute with excellence. Captures new scope development, lessons learned and opportunities for replication and adaptation. Partners with the Social Impact Accelerator, as appropriate, to codify and share learning within RES and across IFF.
- Provides market leadership in support of the SVP of RES.
- Conducts analysis, identifies opportunities, and develops strategies in conjunction with the SVP in order to efficiently meet IFF-wide financial and impact goals.
- Identifies opportunities and undertakes appropriate outreach and business development activities to obtain real estate business.
- Meets with potential clients, conceives of and develops consulting proposals, and follows-up as necessary to obtain contracts.
- Provides formal training, coaching, and technical assistance for current and prospective nonprofit organizations to assist with understanding, evaluating, accessing, and structuring facilities and finance options, including the role of CDFI financing.
- Collaborates with colleagues in Capital Solutions on joint marketing and business development activities to efficiently grow the department for maximal financial viability and effectiveness in meeting IFF-wide goals.
- Provides project management for certain key or strategic projects or initiatives. Directs and completes key aspects of real estate consulting and development projects, as applicable, following project steps that have been delineated, managing project team members, ensuring that project goals and milestones are being met.
- Holds team members accountable for both the quality and quantity of their work.
- Strives to utilize best practice leadership standards that will communicate clearly to all colleagues the mission and vision for Real Estate Solutions and how the mission and vision align with IFF’s mission of strengthening nonprofits.
- Recommends modifications to policies and procedures to improve internal functions and the delivery of quality services to RES’ customers. Ensure implementation and adherence upon approval sharing knowledge and leading practices to enhance the team's skills and performance related to providing real estate consulting services to internal partners and nonprofit customers. Identifies trends and risk issues that may impact department performance.
- Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Promotes an environment of empathy and respect, ensures the inclusion of all team members, and will actively engage in EDI events and learning opportunities.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Performance Measures
- Effective, accurate, coordinated, cross-functional, data-informed management of all dimensions of RES work in market with high internal and external customer satisfaction.
- Successful achievement of Core Business Solutions goals, including meeting RES financial performance and business development goals, overall support of the regional RES team, cultivation of new relationships, and other goals included in the IFF Strategic Plan, the regional Market Plan and other guiding documents.
- Accurate and thorough assessment of strategy, business opportunity, risk issues, optimal solutions, talent and cost management to achieve a high performing and highly satisfied team.
- Strong and effective partnership with leaders across functions with clear and tangible recommendations for innovation, learning, and process improvement.
- Effective adoption, implementation, and ownership of continuous process improvement.
- Cultivation of a culture of openness in information sharing, demonstrating open communication, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge.
- Modeling of personal accountability that promotes ownership and engagement.
- Building and maintaining effective working relationships and a superior level of satisfaction with clients, IFF colleagues, architects, contractors, partners, team members, and others.
- Valuing and supporting differences in others to contribute to an inclusive and equitable work environment. Demonstrate the ability and willingness to communicate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to create a collaborative, collegial, and caring community.
- Achieving a high level of satisfaction with both internal colleagues and external contacts.
- Approaching work with a growth mindset, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement through effort, learning and persistence.
- Approaching work with passion, curiosity and inquisitiveness, proactively seeks solutions to identified issues and challenges relating to assigned projects and departmental processes.
Position Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in real estate development, urban planning, business, finance or similar. Additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Previous Experience
- Ten (10) years of combined and relevant educational (beyond bachelor’s degree) and professional experience required.
- Demonstrated competency in mission aligned program development, real estate development, and transformational community development.
- Two years or more of experience managing staff, and division or department operations preferred.
Special Knowledge & Skills
- Familiarity with nonprofits and adept at learning about a wide variety including charter schools, federally qualified health centers, social service agencies, grocery stores, and community development corporations.
- Understand the basic financial capacity of the borrower, including the ability to review and understand financial statements to help determine the client's risk, ability to continue operations and repay IFF debt.
Additional Requirements
Local and regional travel is required. Early start or extended hours and evening and weekend work should be anticipated. This role requires regularly visiting vacant buildings and construction sites.
Standard Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
- Life Insurance
- Short and long term disability
Work-Life Balance Benefits
- Hybrid workplace
- Summer Fridays
Employee Development Benefits
- Professional development stipend
- Mentorship program
Miscellaneous
- Wellness programs
- Employee assistance
- Referral Bonuses
IFF Does Not Offer The Following
relocation package
100% remote
provide sponsorship to applicants who require or will require a work permit.
Check off only some boxes in the requirements listed above? Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification. So, if you're excited about this role, we encourage you to apply.
Application Instructions: Please visit the Careers section of our website to apply online. Both a resume and cover letter are required.
IFF values equity, diversity, and inclusion as part of its mission to strengthen nonprofits and the communities they serve. IFF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.
