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Job Summary

The Harvard Allston Land Company (HALC) is a subsidiary of the University and is overseeing the planning and development for the University's Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) in Allston. Initial focus is to develop 14 acres of the ERC, which will include new infrastructure, streets, open space, mixed-use development of office and lab space, residential units and a hotel and conference center. This initial phase is being undertaken with a private developer partner under long-term ground leases. The next phase will cover an additional, approximately, 22 acres of development that HALC has just begun conversations with the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA).

The Director of Real Estate Development reports to the Chief Executive Officer and is a key member of Harvard Allston Land Company's senior team. The Director manages and directs all aspects of real estate development for HALC in collaboration with the CEO. They will maintain active participation in strategic, operational, organizational, and business planning to ensure implementation of comprehensive aspects of the organization's mission. They will be responsible for all contractual negotiations with designated developers and work with the COO to manage all financial issues and terms as it relates to each long-term ground lease and associated development agreements. The Director in collaboration with university partners will provide technical and professional real estate expertise regarding all aspects of real estate development for HALC. The Director is responsible for managing the relationship with designated developers and HALC's legal counsel during negotiation and construction. This position is expected to monitor and resolve issues that could have an impact of future phases of the ERC.

Position Description

• Manage the day-to-day activities for all HALC real estate projects
• Develop strategies for HALC's overall real estate development program
• Develop, maintain coordinate schedules for project components and a master project schedule in collaboration with HALC's other primary efforts of infrastructure delivery and planning and design
• Work collaboratively with HALC staff and consultants in developing work product and making sure that HALC deliverables and deadlines are consistent with the master schedule
• Develop and maintain a collaborative working relationship with development partners and the broader development industry in Boston
• Lead HALC team on all critical real estate related to marketing to and selecting private sector development partners, preparing RFPs and managing the selection process. In addition to leading the HALC team on all critical real estate negotiations (e.g., development agreements, ground leases, and easements)
• Organize, attend, participate, and be prepared to lead and report out on all project related meetings on topics related to design, engineering, permitting, transportation, community relations, developer negotiations and related legal documents
• Develop, track, and report performance metrics for real estate assets, resolving issues.
• Monitor progress over five years of development and resolve issues that arise
• Coordinate and collaborate with key partners at Harvard (e.g., The Office of the General Counsel, Harvard Real Estate and Harvard University Planning and Design) that contribute to different components of the project
• Develop, maintain, coordinate schedules for project components and a master project schedule in collaboration with HALC's other primary efforts of infrastructure delivery and planning and design.
• Work collaboratively with HALC staff and consultants in developing work product and making sure that HALC deliverables and deadlines are consistent with the master project schedule.
• Provide written and oral briefings along with recommendations to HALC leadership on key project issues to inform decision making
• Conduct regular project status meetings with project team
• May oversee and direct the work of HALC staff that are direct reports.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in one of the following disciplines: Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, Planning, Engineering, Architecture, Law or related field
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in positions of responsibility in a related field

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Advanced degree is preferred
• Previous work on predevelopment coordination on ground up projects
• Previous experience negotiating large-scale real estate transactions with senior / principal level counterparties
• Proven ability to successfully manage multi-faceted projects in a complex setting
• Familiarity with a range of real estate asset types including lab, office, residential, hotel and retail / restaurant uses
• Experience with state and municipal development entitlement processes, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and City of Boston preferred (or similar governments) permitting processes
• Must possess excellent skills in both the financial and real estate arenas to plan, structure, negotiate and provide oversight for HALCs real estate development projects
• Highly familiar with real estate legal contracts (e.g., contracts of sale, leases, ground leases and easements)
• Mature professional with excellent judgment and ability to work independently
• Exceptional communications skills (written and verbal) and intuitive interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage diverse teams of technical and administrative members across all levels of the organization and externally.
• Strong project management skills
• Understands how to communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully

Additional Information

Harvard University supports a hybrid workplace model which will actively support some remote work. Please note hybrid workers must reside in a state where Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA).

Harvard University continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff, and students, as well as the wider community. Please note that all new employees will be required to provide confirmation of primary series COVID-19 vaccination upon hire, as detailed on our COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Webpage. Harvard University Health Services employees and other health care individuals are also required to be up to date on vaccination as described by the CDC. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. Additional information regarding this requirement, exemptions, verification of vaccination status, and other related policies and resources may be found on the University's COVID-19 Information Website.

Salary Grade: 061

Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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