Role Overview for Head of Real Estate Development, Commercial with a National Developer – Tampa, FL
JRG Partners is proud to represent a premier, privately-held national developer in their search for a Head of Commercial Real Estate Development. Based in their thriving Tampa, Florida office, this executive leadership role offers a unique opportunity to spearhead the company’s growth and shape the commercial landscape across the Southeast. Our client is a top-tier developer with a multi-billion dollar portfolio, renowned for delivering landmark office, industrial, mixed-use, and retail projects that define communities and drive economic growth. This is not merely a management position; it is a strategic role for a visionary leader who will take ultimate ownership of the entire development lifecycle, from initial site identification and acquisition through to stabilization and disposition.
As the Head of Commercial Real Estate Development, you will be the driving force behind the regional development strategy. You will leverage your deep market knowledge and extensive network to uncover and capitalize on new opportunities, building a robust pipeline of high-profile projects. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will have significant autonomy and the full backing of a well-capitalized and agile organization. You will be responsible for building and mentoring a best-in-class development team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and excellence. The ideal candidate is a master dealmaker, a sophisticated financial analyst, and an inspiring leader with a proven track record of bringing complex, large-scale commercial developments to life. This is a career-defining role for an individual looking to make a lasting impact on a leading national platform and the dynamic Tampa Bay region.
Key Responsibilities of Head of Real Estate Development, Commercial with a National Developer – Tampa, FL
The Head of Commercial Real Estate Development will have a broad and demanding set of responsibilities, encompassing the full spectrum of the development process. Success in this role requires a blend of strategic vision, financial acumen, and hands-on execution. Key duties include:
Strategic Planning and Market Analysis
Develop, refine, and execute the comprehensive development strategy for the Tampa and greater Southeast region. Conduct continuous, in-depth market research to identify emerging trends, submarket opportunities, and potential risks. Present strategic plans and project proposals to the executive leadership team and investment committee.
Deal Sourcing, Underwriting, and Acquisition
Proactively source new development opportunities through an extensive network of brokers, landowners, and industry contacts. Lead the underwriting process, creating complex and sophisticated financial models (including Argus and Excel) to assess project feasibility, determine profitability, and structure deals. Oversee all aspects of the due diligence process, including environmental, geotechnical, legal, and financial reviews. Negotiate letters of intent, purchase and sale agreements, and other critical legal documents.
Entitlement and Government Relations
Serve as the primary lead for navigating the complex and often lengthy entitlement process. Develop and execute strategies for securing all necessary zoning approvals, variances, permits, and other governmental entitlements. Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with local government officials, planning departments, and community stakeholders. Represent the company at public hearings and community meetings.
Financial Management and Capital Structuring
Take full ownership of project budgets and pro-formas, from initial conception through to final closeout. Lead efforts to secure project financing, including negotiating term sheets and loan documents with a variety of capital sources such as senior lenders, mezzanine providers, and equity partners. Provide regular, detailed financial reporting to investors and senior leadership.
Design, Pre-construction, and Value Engineering
Oversee the selection and management of the entire project team, including architects, engineers, consultants, and general contractors. Lead the design process to ensure the final product aligns with market demands, brand standards, and financial objectives. Drive the value engineering process to optimize project costs without compromising quality or design intent.
Construction and Project Management Oversight
Provide high-level executive oversight of all construction activities. Work closely with internal and external construction management teams to ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and safety. Proactively identify and mitigate project risks.
Leasing and Marketing Strategy
Collaborate with internal and third-party leasing and marketing teams to develop and implement effective strategies to attract and retain tenants. Provide input on marketing collateral, lease negotiations, and overall positioning of the assets in the marketplace to ensure rapid stabilization.
Team Leadership and Mentorship
Recruit, hire, train, and mentor a high-performing team of development professionals (including associates, project managers, and analysts). Foster a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and results-oriented team culture. Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and support the professional growth of your team members.
Requirements for the Head of Real Estate Development, Commercial with a National Developer – Tampa, FL
This is a senior executive position requiring a seasoned professional with a deep and comprehensive background in commercial real estate development. The qualifications below are essential for success.
Professional Experience
A minimum of 15-20 years of progressive, hands-on experience in commercial real estate development, with a significant portion of that time spent in a leadership capacity.
Proven Track Record
A verifiable and impressive portfolio of successfully completed, large-scale commercial development projects (office, industrial, and/or mixed-use), preferably with individual project values exceeding $100 million. Must be able to demonstrate a history of leading projects from site acquisition through stabilization.
Market Expertise
Deep and nuanced understanding of the Tampa Bay and Central Florida commercial real estate markets is strongly preferred. Experience across the broader Southeast U.S. is also highly valued.
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Real Estate, Finance, Business Administration, Urban Planning, Architecture, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree (MBA or MSRE) is highly preferred.
Financial Acumen
Expert-level proficiency in complex financial modeling, pro-forma analysis, deal structuring, and project finance. Mastery of Microsoft Excel and Argus Enterprise is mandatory.
Leadership and Communication
Exceptional leadership and team-building skills. The ability to inspire, motivate, and manage a diverse team of professionals is critical. Must possess superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively to a variety of audiences, from institutional investors to local community groups.
Negotiation Skills
A master negotiator with a proven ability to successfully navigate complex, high-stakes transactions and agreements with landowners, lenders, tenants, and government bodies.
Industry Engagement
An established, high-quality professional network within the Tampa real estate community. Active membership in industry organizations such as NAIOP (the Commercial Real Estate Development Association) or ULI is highly regarded.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier talent and offers a compensation and benefits package commensurate with the seniority and impact of this role. The package includes:
- A highly competitive base salary.
- A significant annual performance-based bonus tied to individual and company success.
- A lucrative Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) with direct participation in project-level profits, providing substantial wealth-creation opportunities.
- Comprehensive and premium health, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents.
- A 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match.
- A substantial Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick leave, and company holidays.
- An executive car allowance and expense account.
- Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage.
- A professional development allowance to support continuing education and industry engagement.
- Relocation assistance for an exceptional candidate, if required.
How to Apply
This is an exclusive and confidential search conducted by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary real estate development executive with the experience and drive to lead a premier development platform in one of the nation’s most dynamic markets, we encourage you to apply.
To be considered, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant project experience. Our team is dedicated to connecting transformative leaders with exceptional opportunities. We look forward to reviewing your qualifications.
