Director, Global Real Estate Development

Purpose of Position

The Global Real Estate Development Director is responsible for the successful delivery and oversight of all real estate development projects for FlightSafety International and its affiliates. 

This role provides both strategic leadership and hands-on execution in planning, feasibility, due diligence, design, construction, budgeting, and project delivery. The position requires balancing long-term planning with day-to-day execution to deliver high-quality, cost-effective, and timely facilities that support global operations.

The Director leads and develops an internal team of project managers, construction managers, and design/architecture professionals, while also managing external partners worldwide. This position oversees a portfolio of approximately 15 active projects annually—varying in size, type, and global location—with an average annual capital spend of $25–$35 million focused on developing training centers, offices, warehouses, and other commercial properties.

This role reports directly to the Vice President, Global Real Estate Development and works in close collaboration with the Airport Development team and other corporate functions to achieve enterprise goals.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of VP, Global Real Estate Development, oversee the entire global real estate development portfolio for assigned business unit, ensuring projects meet budget, schedule, and quality standards.
• Provide executive-level project reporting and periodic updates as necessary such as project costs, risks, milestones, key decisions, critical path items, supply chain (KPI tracking), key communications with stakeholders, and industry trends.
• Direct and develop a high-performing internal team of project managers, construction managers, and design/architecture professionals.
• Develop and implement best-in-class processes, methods, policies, tools, and standards for global real estate development projects.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage end-to-end project lifecycle: site feasibility, due diligence, design, permitting, construction, FFE installations, turnover to business unit and closeout.
• Lead major projects as the Owner’s Representative, coordinating internal and external teams.
• Review and intake requests for new real estate leases/properties, apply judgement to assess feasibility and alignment with the business needs. Collaborate with the business unit to evaluate if the opportunity should move forward and then partner with Procurement to advance the process.  
• Ensure comprehensive quality assurance and conduct post-occupancy evaluations.
• Establish clear goals, accountability, performance measures, and professional development opportunities for team members.
• Ensure internal teams are aligned with corporate standards, policies, and strategic priorities.
• Manage staffing levels and resource allocation to support global projects effectively.
• Prepare and manage budgets for all projects, detailing hard and soft costs and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• In connection with Finance support, provide regular financial reporting to leadership and finance teams.
• Oversee authorization for expenditure (AFE), invoice approval, and cost coding.
• Negotiate in tandem with Procurement all contracts with suppliers, vendors, and contractors, landlords ensuring favorable terms and compliance with policies.
• Partner with government agencies and local municipalities to secure permits, approvals, incentives, and ensure compliance with local regulations.
• Build, manage, and strengthen relationships with key external partners, including architects, contractors, consultants, developers, and regulatory agencies, to facilitate smooth project execution.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders — operations, finance, legal, procurement, IT, and corporate communications — to align project goals, budgets, and long-term growth initiatives.
• Lead stakeholder engagement planning for projects to ensure alignment on goals, project scope, timing, and ensuring proactive communication and change management with impacted business units and employees.
• Implement standardized processes for project management, including cost tracking, KPI dashboards, and supplier performance and ensure compliance with policies and procedures. 
• Ensure compliance with global safety standards, regulatory requirements, and environmental guidelines.
• Stay ahead of global development trends, sustainability practices, and cost escalation risks.
• Contribute to long-term real estate strategies, master planning, and other initiatives.
• Approximately 15% travel.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, Finance or other related fields of study.
• Additional certifications or advanced degrees, such as Professional Engineer, Certified Construction Manager, Project Management Professional, Architect, Masters, a plus.

Minimum Experience

• 15+ years professional experience in large-scale, ground-up commercial development managing all phases of development including Planning/Budgeting, Contracts, Entitlements, Due Diligence, Design, Construction, Budget Management
• Prior management experience on development projects more than $20M
• Experience working within an airport setting, aviation industry, or with government owned property is a plus
• International experience is a plus

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Highly motivated team leader with strong organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully both independently and in a team environment
• Ability to prioritize and work effectively on multiple simultaneous tasks and projects
• Excellent understanding of the entire life cycle of the commercial real estate development process - construction permitting, scheduling, and quality control from a management perspective.
• Experience with all construction delivery methods “Design/Build, Plan and Spec, Design/Bid/Build, Design/Assist, etc.
• Experience working with local, state and federal law compliance
• Experience owning and managing department budgets
• Basic understanding of financial analysis models (ROI, LCC, NPV).
• Intermediate to expert PC skills including an excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and working knowledge of Microsoft Project, Auto CAD, Bluebeam and CAFM Schedule
• Strong understanding of contract negotiations and administration and familiarity with contract types.
• Knowledge of Auto-CAD, Revit, or BIM. Ability to modify, dimension, or space plan using AutoCAD a plus along with ability to read construction drawings.
• Ability to interact with various levels of matrixed management in a professional manner.
• Capable of problem solving, independent thinking and decision making while delivering upon multiple priorities and deadlines.
• High regard for ethics.
• Ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment, roles, responsibilities, and processes.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met and/or encountered by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and communicate. The employee may be required to stand; walk; sit. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to view monitors, technical documents, and reference material. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Travel as needed.

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