Active Searches

Position Description:

With a rapidly expanding portfolio of Data Centers, our client is seeking an Associate to focus on the oversight and management of Data Center developments throughout the U.S.  The Associate will be based in the Washington, DC office and play a key role in a high performing team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Overseeing asset business plan development and implementation for Data Centers including development oversight, sales/dispositions, potential follow-on acquisitions, refinancings, and leasing
• Execute development plans by coordinating with architects, engineers, contractors, or other consultants as needed to ensure that construction projects proceed according to schedule
• Work with Data Center Analyst to build, maintain, and monitor financial models in Excel
• Create, monitor, track and interpret project data including due diligence materials, contracts, schedules, budgets, and cash‐flows on an on‐going basis
• Work on special projects including hold-sell analysis and evaluation of refinancing
• Conduct market and data center sector assessments and making recommendations based on results
• Interact with joint venture partners, tenants, and third-party service providers and help to manage those relationships
• Author investment committee memos, executive reports, presentations, and offering materials
• Assist in other special projects and assignments as they may arise from time‐to‐time

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in an analytically rigorous Real Estate development role, including exposure to real estate finance and capital strategy, preferably with experience working in a private equity firm
• Must like a fast‐paced, multi‐tasking environment
• Advanced Excel experience, strong analytical and financial modeling skills including preparing Excel pro-formas, an in‐depth understanding of financial modeling including cash‐on‐cash returns, IRR analysis, and discounted cash flow
• Strong organizational skills with an ability to perform tasks and achieve results independently and as part of a team, consistently meet deadlines and prioritize multiple assignments effectively in a dynamic work environment
• Ability to present information in both oral and written form in a clear and concise manner
• Data Center experience is not required but a plus; interest in Data Center sector is required
• MBA in real estate, finance, or related area and/or Bachelor’s degree in real estate, finance or business

To learn more about this position, contact: Christine Pinkerton | (919) 679-9149 | cpinkerton@crownsearch.com

Position Description:

The Senior Vice-President (SVP) of Organizational Development is a key leadership position, serving as a strategic leader who drives organizational effectiveness, fosters employee development, and maximizes the overall growth and performance of the company.  The SVP helps to evaluate the company’s structure, as well as its processes and workflows, to determine areas that require optimization while collaborating with the top executives and driving efficient strategies. In addition, the SVP of Organizational Development plays a crucial role in the management of talent as well as human resource management. They work closely with the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and their team to design and implement talent management programs including leadership development, succession planning, and performance management while fostering a positive company culture, and ensuring that the organization has the right talent to achieve its goals.

Roles & Responsibilities

As a Senior Vice President, Organizational Development, key responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership:

• Create and execute a comprehensive Learning and Development (L&D) strategy that aligns with the company’s business goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to identify training needs and priorities, identifying areas for improvement and development.
• Monitor and analyze industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to ensure L&D initiatives remain innovative and effective.

Operations Training Engagement and Delivery Strategy:

• Serve as the primary contact for business stakeholders concerning long-term, high-level L&D initiatives.
• Collaborate with operational leaders to ensure training programs promote operational excellence and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring alignment of training programs with business needs.
• Partner with business training teams to execute a training delivery strategy that ensures consistent and high-quality training across the company.
• Establish metrics and KPIs to assess the effectiveness of training programs and their impact on business performance.
• Prepare and present regular reports on L&D activities, achievements, and areas for improvement to leadership.
• Maintain and coordinate periodic reviews of policies and procedures for on-site personnel.
• Oversee review and implementation of process improvement submissions.

 Team Management:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Oversee the recruitment, training, and development of staff.
• Employ servant leadership style, helping to unify the teams at all locations.

Instructional Design:

• Oversee the design and development of engaging and effective learning programs, including e-learning, instructor-led training, and blended learning solutions.
• Assist in and oversee the design and coordination of annual leadership conferences and assist department leaders with periodic division training events.
• Assist senior management in designing and managing quarterly and annual employee recognition events.
• Promote consistency across all locations for L&D initiatives and projects.

LMS System Administration:

• Manage the administration of Workday LMS system and other related technologies.
• Help source, develop, and edit learning content for the LMS platform, including managing relationships with LinkedIn Learning, Edge2Learn, and other third-party educational content developers.
• Direct the efficient operation and continuous improvement of LMS systems and processes.

Qualifications & Work Experience

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree in human resources, Learning, and Development, Organizational Development, Education, Business Administration, or a related field, and have 8-10 years of experience in Learning and Development, including at least 5 years in a leadership role. They should demonstrate proven expertise in instructional design, L&D system administration, and training delivery strategies, with a successful track record in designing and delivering training programs for diverse populations. The candidate must possess excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, along with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities and the flexibility to travel to various company locations as needed.

Additionally, they will have expertise in designing and implementing strategies to enhance organizational effectiveness, drive change management, and foster cultural transformation. They should be capable of providing strategic direction, leading cross-functional teams to align human resources initiatives with organizational goals, and collaborating effectively with key stakeholders, including senior executives, to drive organizational change. It will be beneficial to have understanding of contemporary organizational development practices and trends, including talent management, performance management, and employee engagement strategies.

To learn more about this position, contact: Jen Sheldon | (219) 921-1363 | jsheldon@crownsearch.com

Position Description:

The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Investment Management will initially be focused on capital raising for two funds; affordable and market.  They will be tasked with growing the investor base with qualified institutional investors. The SVP will be responsible for working with investors after the initial outreach by helping to guide and close them for new institutional funds and separately managed accounts, with ongoing portfolio management responsibilities.

The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal savvy that is supported by a solid technical understanding of the multi-family sector and excellent written and oral communication skills.  As a key member of the investment team, this person will manage existing relationships as well as establish targets for new relationships, carefully crafting the messaging and customizing an approach for potential investors.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITIES:

• Deep experience with capital raising and portfolio management
• Thorough familiarity with institutional investment processes and its various participants
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong project management/task prioritization capabilities
• Precise attention to detail that is thoughtfully applied to content and deliverables
• Ability to travel

EDUCATION – EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field and significant relevant real estate experience
• Strong working knowledge of multi-family investment and/or institutional capital raising

COMPETENCIES:

• Collaborative Mindset: It is imperative the person has the ability to work within a team oriented structure and value being a member of a high performing team.
• Decision Quality: Making sound and timely decisions that keep the assigned initiatives advancing.
• Drives Results: Consistently achieving results, even under challenging circumstances.
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of colleagues through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Business Insight: Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to help advance the organization’s goals.
• Strategic Mindsight: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: Self-starter mentality with the ability to serve as a brand ambassador, presenting the value proposition of the company as a trusted name with solid sponsorship.

To learn more about this position, contact: Jen Sheldon | (219) 921-1363 | jsheldon@crownsearch.com

Position Description:

Master Planning Scope

• Utilizing a strong understanding of mixed-use master planning that includes retail, multifamily, hospitality, office, healthcare, education and industrial/manufacturing, develop and/or refine the master plan vision and strategy, ensuring alignment with company goals and market demands over time.
• Ensure feasibility studies, market analyses, and site assessments are properly done to inform planning decisions.
• Assist in evaluating site feasibility and updating the project proforma in order to determine the overall highest and best uses.
• Develop and help execute marketing and sales strategies to attract buyers and tenants for land parcels.
• Foster relationships with city, state and federal agencies, commercial real estate brokers, developers, and other key market players.
• Oversee and help update project business plans including budgets and schedules with the input of Construction Manager and Development Manager.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track project progress and outcomes.
• Provide regular updates and detailed reports to client’s senior management and other stakeholders.
• Assist project company and client personnel in preparing ICOM memos.

Infrastructure Implementation

• Oversee the development of a comprehensive infrastructure implementation plan, including roads, wastewater, utilities, public transportation, and green spaces.
• Ensure the integration of smart city technologies and sustainable practices in infrastructure planning.
• Optimize project returns through mindful phasing of horizontal improvements.

Project Management Leadership

• Lead a high-performing team of internal and external professionals, including architects, engineers, planners, and project managers.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment, promoting professional growth and development.
• Lead a project team including helping define consultant scopes and contract negotiations.
• Develop project entitlement strategies and lead the coordination of such efforts with internal team and local jurisdictional agencies.
• Promote and integrate sustainable design principles, renewable energy solutions, and innovative technologies throughout the community in ways that are accretive to project performance.
• Ensure the community’s development adheres to appropriate practices in environmental stewardship and resource efficiency taking into consideration all relevant project goals.
• Identify potential risks and challenges associated with the project and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure proactive problem-solving and conflict resolution to maintain project momentum.
• Act as the primary project company spokesperson for the community, representing the project in relation to the media, investors, government instrumentalities and other stakeholders.
• Foster strong relationships with community leaders, residents, and local organizations to ensure the project takes into account community needs and manage their expectations.
• Utilizing in depth product knowledge, coordinate with the planning, marketing and architectural team to develop the optimal product offering.
• Provide assistance with project capitalization strategies and efforts.
• Generally manage the development process including:
• Entitlements
• Design
• Permitting
• Contract tracking and administration
• Schedule and budget updates
• RFI review and management
• COR negotiating and tracking
• Review equity funding and bank draws
• Prepare and provide updates to Managing Directors for use with ICOM
• Manage ongoing communication with partners and lenders
• Manage updates to business plan including re-underwriting and ad hoc analyses

Marketing

• Assist sales/leasing team with marketing efforts including site tours, tenant coordination and required improvements.

Capital Markets

• Assist with securing debt and equity financing, as needed.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership track record.
• Significant experience in master planning/land development oversight and entitlements, preferably in Phoenix, but not required.
• Engineering or architectural background a plus.
• Excellent communication skills.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• MBA or advanced degree a plus.

To learn more about this position, contact: Margie Arcangelo | (239) 362-1335 | margie@crownsearch.com

Position Description:

For the first time in our client’s history, they are adding in-house legal representation.  We have been engaged to find an Associate General Counsel to fill this newly created role.  The candidate must be licensed in the state of Virginia and have prior legal experience in the real estate industry.  They will provide legal guidance and support on all contracts, land/lot closings, and loan closings.  They will also lead and coordinate all outside counsel and manage all outstanding legal issues.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Draft and review agreements, contracts, and other legal documents.
• Review and sign off on all contracts, including Boiler Plate Contract Templates and Transfer of Risks with Third Party contracts.
• Negotiate and review terms for land acquisitions.
• Review seller’s documents, and coordinate with seller’s counsel on all land and lot closings.
• Coordinate with bank attorneys and other outside counsel, and review Bank loans for A&D/Builder line, and apartment loans for all loan closings.
• Manage the relationship and rate with title companies, and coordinate title and endorsements.
• Coordinate and manage outside counsel on human resources, trusts, and insurance issues.
• Farm out legal work when necessary and manage outside counsel on all projects.
• Manage all outstanding legal issues.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctorate
• Minimum of 5 years of experience practicing as a lawyer with an emphasis on commercial real estate.
• Business-focused mindset with ability to balance legal risk and business impact.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong problem-solving skills.
• Must have outstanding contract negotiation and drafting skills.
• Must be licensed to practice law in the state of Virginia; additional license in North Carolina is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills, detailed oriented with the ability to juggle multiple tasks.
• Demonstrated poise, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to build effective internal and external relationships.
• Work collaboratively with leadership to achieve business unit objectives.

To learn more about this position, contact: Jon Nowikowski | (412) 339-5376 | jnowikowski@crownsearch.com

Position Description:

Primary responsibilities:

• Drive and execute leasing transactions and renewals while maintaining positive tenant relationships
• Develop broker relationships and oversee selection of third-party listing brokers
• Establish a leasing protocol and structure, and implement best practices across the platform
• Increase net operating income (NOI) and asset value through successful marketing, negotiations, and leasing transactions
• Develop and nurture quality relationships with current and potential customers, gaining a deep understanding of their business and space needs
• Manage leasing activity to maximize portfolio value and build trust with the broker community
• Conduct marketing activities, including customer prospecting, broker and agent marketing, creating presentations, and writing lease proposals
• Develop expertise in market conditions, such as rents, available properties, and economic trends
• Provide relevant information and market data to internal practice groups, including Acquisitions, Development, and Capital Partners

 Qualifications:

• 5+ years of business experience in leasing and asset management, negotiating and executing industrial/office leases/contracts
• In-depth knowledge of market demand and supply, vacancy, absorption, and property-related micro and macro issues
• Professional understanding of building valuation methods, such as income, market, and discounted cash flow
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills, including time management and prioritization
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams
• Relevant real estate industry experience
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills

To learn more about this position, contact: Natasha Brill | (786) 216-7281 | nbrill@crownsearch.com

Position Description:

Reporting to the President, the National Partner will provide leadership to formulate and implement strategies for the management and continued expansion of our client’s industrial business. This position will be responsible for all operational oversight and prioritizing initiatives with a view towards long-term success as a national leader in industrial development.  It is important for this person to have 20 years of experience working through various market cycles.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Partner with the President and the investment committee to establish the strategic direction, goals, and major initiatives of the industrial business
• Oversee all aspects of industrial operations including the development and implementation of business plans, initiatives, project performance, and profitability
• Provide dynamic leadership focused on inspiring teams to outstanding results and excellence while achieving superior financial performance
• Identify, recruit, motivate, and retain top development professionals and staff in a profitable manner
• Take proactive role in raising capital for development projects and managing investor relations in coordination with the efforts of the capital raising team
• Assess risks and opportunities, optimize overall business performance, and ensure that the organizational structure in place supports the company’s strategy
• Manage up and down the organizational chart through leadership and strong communication; prepare and present business plans to senior leadership; oversee, approve, and present division budgets, overhead requests, and capital expenditures for sponsorships and memberships
• Participate as a member of the Investment Committee and control development opportunities going through Investment Committee
• Monitor and approve fee splits and ownership splits for the development team
• Monitor and mentor teammates for long-term growth plans; hire, promote, discipline, construct compensation/participation, and occasionally release teammates for poor performance, as necessary
• Exemplify and further our client’s unique and collaborative team-oriented culture in making it the “right place to be” for clients and team members
• Along with the President and finance staff:
  • Coordinate investment analysis and financial structuring of development projects
  • Participate in the evaluation and underwriting of all industrial projects
  • Lead the review of land acquisition and development decisions from a financial institutional market strategy point of view, supported by the other members of the Investment Committee
• Participate in industry and client events to raise the firm’s profile in the real estate and business communities; position him or herself as a visible and respected thought leader nationally and communicator for the industry
• Oversee national deal level strategy and underwriting
• Lead asset management, sales, leasing and deal pricing efforts

To learn more about this position, contact: Christine Pinkerton | (919) 679-9149 | cpinkerton@crownsearch.com

Position Description:

Our client is creating a new position of Director of Preconstruction. This position offers a long-term prospective pathway to become one of the senior-most construction executives in the company, with regular interaction with C-suite executives.

Our client owns two office-to-residential conversion projects in pre-development in Washington, DC totaling 1.8M square feet, the first of which is in the construction drawing phase and being actively bid to contractors. They are bidding both to general contractors and subcontractors directly and aim to have the work substantially bought out by the second quarter of 2024. The immediate responsibilities of the role are a successful buyout of the first project with a hands-on approach for each subcontractor, along with a direct engagement for potential direct subcontracts with trades following structure and envelope.  The Director of Preconstruction will be the point of contact and face of the company for Washington, DC general contractors and subcontractors.

The medium-term goal of the DC activities is to grow the skillset, network, and reputation to directly field, contract, and manage all subcontractors on future DC construction projects (if the pool of existing general contractors is deemed not sufficient to meet the end cost and quality goals). To this end, our client expects to be in touch with every aspect and minutia of a hired GC’s scope and buyout to successfully manage the GC and have the relationship and ability to perform the same if called to do so. The Director of Preconstruction will be the vanguard of this  expansion into  Washington, DC; an enterprising individual who has field and office experience, combining leadership traits with the intimate knowledge of the costs which constitute each subcontractor’s scope.

The candidate may be based in either Washington, DC or Philadelphia, with at least 1-2 days per week spent in each Philadelphia and Washington, DC.

Critical skill sets for this role include:

• High level of comfort reading Architectural, Structural, MEP plans
• Ability to create scope sheets, building on a library of what has already been created
• Estimation and takeoff ability
• Ability to create a project budget, building on templates that have been created from past projects
• Knowledge of relevant unit value metrics for all major trades, and the ability to discern unit values resourcefully from subcontractors and dissecting bids
• Ability to create a thorough schedule of values for all trades, building on company library, to ensure proper cost loading and sectoring of the subcontract for billing and managing risk

Critical performance traits for this role include:

• Comfortable taking responsibility for a project and proactively engaging people and resources to achieve the goal of a fully contracted buyout within the budget constraints
• Salesmanship and persuasiveness in engaging valuable subcontractors (i.e. beyond the roster that every GC typically bids to) and engaging them in company’s project to competitively bid
• Ability to interact with smaller subcontractors without administrative staff
• Comfortable presenting both good and bad information, identifying risks along with solutions or mitigation measures
• An entrepreneurial spirit to push past roadblocks and industry norms, not settling for what an institutional GC or Subcontractor finds is comfortable and creating new solutions

To learn more about this position, contact: Jon Nowikowski | (412) 339-5376 | jnowikowski@crownsearch.com

Position Description:

This position will be responsible for establishing the Data Center development business.  Initially this business will be focused within the USA and may eventually expand across North America or a wider geography.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The role will include (but not be limited to) the establishment, overall management, and profitability of the Data Center business, including the following specific tasks:

• Prepare a business strategy, ongoing annual business plans, and annual operating budgets.
• Recruit and manage an appropriate team to execute the strategy and annual business plan.
• Operate a profitable data center business and ensure current cash flow, long-term market value of assets, and overall enterprise value and profitability are maximized for all stakeholders.
• Represent the business to the data center community including brokers and other business stakeholders.
• Oversee deal sourcing, development, construction, and management of operations, and deal exits.
• Work with and leverage capital markets, construction, management, legal, accounting and all other team resources across the platform to maximize financial and business outcomes.
• Ensure that the reputation and credibility of the brand name is retained and enhanced within the real estate and stakeholder community.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Data center development experience for a minimum of 15 years, including experience in determining target markets and locations, site sourcing, financial underwriting, ability to establish program, knowledge and network of consultants to determine building specifications, and familiarity and credibility with sources of equity and debt capital (the ability to raise capital is not essential)
• Undergraduate degree in finance, real estate, or related business field
• Collaborative approach, team player with a focus on analytical and problem-resolution

To learn more about this position, contact: Jen Sheldon | (219) 921-1363 | jsheldon@crownsearch.com