Within broad parameters and in accordance with general organizational requirements and accepted practices, manages and promotes the real estate economic development program for the Greenville City Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) and the City of Greenville in alignment with the President & CEO. Proactively identifies strategic opportunities to achieve City and GCEDC economic development priorities, including through City-owned real estate, such as affordable housing, entrepreneurship, and other avenues. Strategically coordinates and facilitates a wide variety of public-private development projects ranging from mixed-use to retail to corporate headquarters to R&D/innovation districts. Routinely conducts in-depth analysis and reporting, including (but not limited to) detailed underwriting models, financial scenarios, etc. with extensive applied knowledge regarding Cap Rates, ROI, IRR, Net Present Value, Yields, etc. Along with the CEO, acts as a direct liaison and seasoned negotiator as is appropriate between the City and private developers and real estate brokers; and, effectively conveys the needs and desires of stakeholders to City officials. Develops and implements strategic initiatives to support the City’s vision for downtown and major corridors, encouraging high quality growth and development to broaden the tax base for downtown and targeted areas within the City limits. Identifies and works with GCEDC and various City departments on improvements to the Central Business District and beyond. Manages the development and maintenance of databases for the City’s current and constantly evolving inventory of retail, office, distribution and advanced manufacturing space/sites (i.e., CU-ICAR Campus), as well as prospective strategic sites for future development – that can be professionally packaged and routinely presented to potential developers and investors. Utilizes skills to analyze complex problems and identifying solutions. Consistently establishes and maintains positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and effectively reports and presents facts, analysis, and recommendations in both oral and written form. Supervises assigned personnel. Reviews and approves outdoor dining, sidewalk, and construction encroachment permits.

 Essential Functions

  % of Time

• Develop and Manage Comprehensive Real Estate Strategy for City-Owned and Privately-Owned Real Estate: Proactively identify strategic opportunities to achieve City and GCEDC economic development priorities, including through City-owned real estate, such as affordable housing, entrepreneurship, and other avenues; and, strategically coordinates and facilitates a wide variety of public-private development projects ranging from mixed-use to retail to corporate headquarters to R&D/innovation districts. Routinely conduct in-depth analysis and reporting, including (but not limited to) detailed underwriting models, financial scenarios, etc. with extensive applied knowledge regarding Cap Rates, ROI, IRR, Net Present Value, Yields, etc. Meet regularly with real estate community, business owners, and other interested groups. Work with economic development staff to research and report economic statistics by compiling, analyzing and tracking trends. Study the health of downtown and overall city tax base. Provide appropriate information to aid in decision making, such as maps and statistical data. Stay abreast of issues on living and working in urban areas. Plan for development by managing master plans.

35%

• Recruit, Promote, and Manage Public-Private Development Projects: In alignment with the CEO, proactively manage, catalyze, coordinate, and facilitate desired/targeted public-private development projects within the City limits of Greenville. Act as an expert and primary liaison between the city and private developers and brokers; strategically convey the needs and desires of targeted stakeholders to city officials. Effectively and strategically coordinate efforts from various departments relative to real estate development projects. Assist developers, brokers, businesses, residents, architects, contractors, and other stakeholders in execution of projects. Work with potential tenants and brokers to explore citywide real estate options. Explain city policies and procedures to outside entities as they relate to project development. Write and negotiate development agreements.

30%

• Promote Downtown District: Develop and implement strategic real estate development initiatives to support the City’s downtown vision, as well as the vision for major corridors and development nodes, encouraging high quality growth and development to broaden the tax base for the City. Take the lead and proactively ensure momentum and progress with regard to continued downtown and corridor revitalization development strategies. Assist the community in updating downtown’s vision and overall citywide development plan. Conduct surveys to ascertain demand and public opinion on city development activities.

20%

• Conduct Downtown Master Planning: Assist with planning and prioritizing City capital improvements in the downtown area. Identify and work with city City staff on improvements to the downtown area. Identify and recommend property acquisitions and sales. Facilitate and recommend parking solutions for downtown development.

10%

• Review and Approve Encroachment Permits: Review and approve outdoor dining, sidewalk, and construction encroachment permits. Recommend improvements to encroachment process to reduce review time for businesses. Identifies additional areas in the city for encroachments to foster economic development.

5%

Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in real estate, business administration, economics, public administration, planning or related field.

• Over six (6) years of direct professional experience in real estate brokerage and/or development. 

• Master's degree in a related field.

• Thorough knowledge of urban planning and downtown development program management, real estate and commercial development procedures, and public sector development procedures.

• Licensed real estate professional.

• AICP certification.

• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License.

• State and federal laws and guidelines governing the acquisition of real estate for public use.

• State and federal laws and guidelines governing the disposition of real estate by public entities.

• Principles and practices of public or institutional real estate management.

• Principles and practices of economic development business retention and expansion techniques.

• Principles and practices of project management as it relates to real estate activities – acquisition, disposition, leasing, and other conveyances (e.g., easements).

• Readily conduct in-depth analysis and reporting, including (but not limited to) detailed underwriting models, financial scenarios, etc. with extensive applied knowledge regarding Cap Rates, ROI, IRR, Net Present Value, Yields, etc.

• Plan, pursue, negotiate, and close on real estate transactions. 

• Plan, organize, supervise, and direct the work of a professional/technical staff and consultants involved in one or more major real estate activities. 

• Conduct real estate purchase and lease negotiations with property owners. 

• Interpret real estate technical information (deeds, easements, surveys, environmental reports, maps, plans, contracts, and agreements, etc.). 

• Exercise independent judgment and initiative in developing long and short-range plans. 

• Work independently with limited supervision.

• Analyze situations accurately and pursue effective courses of action. 

• Recognize and be sensitive to political environments and situations.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, including the preparation of complex technical reports and presentations. 

• Demonstrate tact and courtesy in frequent dealings with subordinate and peer employees, associated agencies, and the public. 

• Analyze and interpret policy and procedural guidelines and to apply this understanding to tasks. 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including members of City departments and management, contractors, potential investors, business/civic associations, state and federal agencies, professional consulting firms, developers, economic development agencies, property owners, vendors, co-workers, and supervisors.

• Effectively manage complex interpersonal interactions that may be contentious and involve confidential discussions or situations. 

• Use effective judgment and discretion in discussing problems, presenting information, resolving issues, handling sensitive or confidential matters, and making appropriate recommendations.

• Apply a high degree of independent, logical, evaluative, and/or professional thinking to originate and develop procedures, techniques or ideas within the parameters of a broad conceptual outline. 

• At an advanced level, read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical journals and procedures, financial reports, legal documents, and governmental regulations as well as legal descriptions, maps, drawings, and construction plans.

• At an advanced level, write and negotiate development agreements, policies, contracts, speeches, formal presentations, and/or technical and legal documents and correspondence and compose emails in a clear and professional manner.

• Perform complex financial calculations.

• Operate general office equipment to include scanner, printer, copier, telephone, and computer with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Utilize specialized software and systems to include ArcGIS, Adobe, mapping system, and digital camera software necessary for economic development.

Primary Work Location:  Office environment and development sites throughout the City.

Protective Equipment Required:  None.

Environmental/Health and Safety Factors:  

Relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.

Physical Demands:  

Continuously requires fine dexterity, vision, hearing, and talking. Frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, and handling. Occasionally requires lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing/pulling, twisting, bending, and foot controls. Light strength demands include exerting up 10 pounds frequently and up to 20 pounds occasionally.

Mental Demands:  

Frequently requires time pressures, frequent change of tasks, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, and noisy/distracting environment. Occasionally requires emergency situations, irregular schedule/overtime, and tedious or exacting work.

The City of Greenville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Prospective and current employees should contact Human Resources to request an ADA accommodation.

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.