Vice President, Real Estate & Property Management

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Department of Aviation owns and operates Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE). These airports are operated as commercial businesses to the greatest extent feasible given their ownership by the City. In addition to City regulations, the airports are subject to extensive federal regulations, particularly by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Bureau of Aviation Regulation.

Job Description

Position Summary

The Vice President, Real Estate and Property Management serves as the senior leader supporting the Chief Commercial Officer to efficiently manage the Department of Aviation’s (DOA) real estate portfolio for Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE). This position leads DOA’s effort to utilize limited property assets to their highest and best use by negotiating, leasing, directing the real estate development process, and managing space.  The position also leads, mentors, and supervises a dedicated team of DOA employees (civil service, exempt and contractors) fostering their professional growth and development, while ensuring performance excellence.  In addition, the position oversees land acquisition activities for airport expansion and manages third-party business agreements for the timely development of commercial, air cargo, and aviation facilities on airport property.  This position performs a critical role as the official record keeper and administrator for all business agreements authorizing use of Airport property assets and enforcing contractual expectations with all tenants and operators.

Essential Functions

• Serves as senior property liaison for all Airport property at PHL and PNE including leased, assigned, or DOA-controlled space.
• Inventories, analyzes, and reports on book of business including sales, revenue, property transactions, lease status, vacancy, etc.
• Leads business strategy and initiatives for land development and commercial leasing of Airport property that generate both aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue including land, terminal, general aviation, and air cargo facilities. 
• Develops, negotiates, and drafts business terms for leases, licenses, easements, and other contract agreements authorizing use of Airport-controlled property in confidential collaboration with legal team.
• Establishes processes and procedures for property management and lease administration to ensure strong contract administration oversight, space allocation enforcement, and tenant compliance with terms and conditions for use of Airport property.
• Leads and supervises staff team and establishes objectives, priorities, and assignments for property management. 
• Reviews and assesses tenant design and construction plans for leased Airport property to ensure compliance with lease agreement terms and standards and to coordinate with other anticipated development or capital work.
• Leads and coordinates real estate land acquisition activities in collaboration with other DOA units including legal, engineering, and finance, as needed, including facilitating and overseeing property appraisals and real estate broker services.
• Manages consultants in the preparation of land use feasibility studies and property appraisal valuations.
• Prepares Request for Proposals to evaluate and select revenue-generating concession operators or third-party commercial entities to develop Airport property.
• Prepares and presents City Council testimony and responses for legal depositions, ad hoc.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Comprehensive understanding of commercial real estate principles, including leasing, property management, and land development in an airport environment.
• Deep knowledge of public-private partnerships (P3s) and their application in complex commercial real estate transactions.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal regulations governing airport property transactions and real estate development.
• Expertise in contract negotiation, legal provisions, and lease administration related to real estate transactions.
• Strong understanding of financial analytics, including cost-benefit analysis, pro forma development, and revenue modeling.
• Knowledge of real estate market trends, including airport commercial development trends and local market conditions.
• Understanding of architectural drawings, aerial surveys, and land use planning to assess development feasibility.
• Principles and best practices of tenant relations, space allocation, and property compliance oversight.
• Knowledge of real estate appraisal methodologies and the processes involved in the transfer of real property.
• Principles of airport operations and how commercial real estate development contributes to aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue generation.
• Best practices for stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with government agencies, private sector entities, and legal teams.
• Supervisory principles and team leadership to build and manage high-performing teams.

Skills:

• Proven ability to negotiate, close, and execute complex commercial real estate deals, including leases, easements, and development agreements.
• Strong analytical skills to assess financial viability, market feasibility, and economic impact of real estate projects.
• Ability to develop, interpret, and enforce legal agreements, ensuring compliance with airport regulations and lease terms.
• Experience leading multiple real estate projects, managing land acquisition activities, and overseeing tenant development.
• Ability to effectively represent the organization in high-level discussions with government officials, business leaders, and industry stakeholders.
• Ability to identify revenue-generating opportunities and implement strategies to maximize airport property value.
• Ability to address and resolve challenges in real estate development, tenant relations, and lease administration.
• Skilled in interpreting and applying real estate laws, policies, and contract provisions within an airport or governmental setting.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including preparing reports, City Council testimony, and legal depositions.
• Experience in managing and mentoring teams, establishing priorities, and delegating responsibilities effectively.

Abilities:

• Ability to develop and implement business strategies that drive commercial growth and optimize airport property use.
• Capacity to work collaboratively with legal teams, city officials, and private sector partners to facilitate large-scale property transactions.
• Ability to interpret architectural and engineering plans, ensuring alignment with lease agreements and airport infrastructure needs.
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting financial reports, revenue trends, and lease agreements to make data-driven decisions.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
• Aptitude for leading cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, and resolving conflicts effectively.
• Capacity to adapt to evolving market conditions, identifying new opportunities for commercial growth and airport development.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Real Estate, Architecture, Engineering, Planning, Aviation or related field.

Ten (10) years progressive experience in commercial real estate in the airport sector with a focus on property management, negotiation, revenue generation planning, and strategic execution.

Completion of the examination for Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) is preferred.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a resume.

Salary Range: $148,862 - $167,471

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx