vice president, Development Services & Owner's Representation

The Role: This individual will manage third-party development, construction, and project management assignments while helping grow the platform through business planning, client service, proposal support, relationship coordination, and high-quality execution. The successful candidate will serve as the lead point of contact for the business line, communicate the platform’s capabilities, support presentations and marketing efforts, and help convert qualified opportunities generated through investment activity, inbound inquiries, relationship overlap, and strategic enterprise channels. Candidates should be commercially oriented and comfortable earning client trust, selling their capabilities, and supporting new business efforts; an existing network or history of originating relationship-driven opportunities is highly valued.

Development Services & Project Execution: Serve as outsourced development manager, owner’s representative, project manager, or construction management advisor for third-party clients across the full project lifecycle, including feasibility, predevelopment, entitlements, design coordination, budgeting, procurement, construction oversight, and closeout. Represent client interests with consultants, contractors, design teams, municipalities, lenders, investors, tenants, and other stakeholders. Prepare and maintain project budgets, schedules, reporting packages, risk summaries, meeting materials, and executive-level updates. Lead or support RFP processes, vendor selection, bid review, contract negotiation support, budget validation, schedule review, and change order analysis. Identify project risks early and recommend practical solutions related to cost, schedule, constructability, procurement, permitting, stakeholder coordination, and execution.

Business Development Coordination & Advisory Growth: Coordinate with internal investment, advisory, and enterprise relationships to identify, qualify, and advance potential fee-based development services and owner’s representation opportunities. Support business development efforts, including client presentations, proposals, scopes of work, fee structures, qualifications packages, and marketing materials. Communicate the firm’s capabilities, relevant experience, and proposed approach to owners, developers, investors, family offices, operating companies, and strategic partners. Help convert qualified opportunities into actionable client engagements and build trusted client relationships that can lead to repeat work, referrals, and expanded mandates.

Platform Development, Staffing & Operations: Develop and execute the business plan and operating strategy for the Development Services & Owner’s Representation offering, including service lines, delivery model, staffing requirements, and growth priorities. Develop a flexible staffing strategy for the business line, including identifying, managing, and coordinating full-time, part-time, and contract resources based on project type, scope, and required services. Build and maintain a network of internal and external resources, including project managers, construction managers, consultants, technical specialists, and other service providers. Support the development and oversight of plans, policies, procedures, templates, reporting standards, and operating processes needed to deliver consistent, high-quality client service. Understand and apply relevant technology, project controls, reporting tools, and best practices used by leading development services, owner’s representation, and project management practitioners; advise clients on practical tools and methods where appropriate.

Target Projects: Industrial, multifamily, hospitality, adaptive reuse, retail, niche, and other complex commercial real estate projects.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in real estate, construction management, engineering, architecture, business, or a related field.10+ years of experience in development management, project management, owner’s representation, construction management, real estate development, or advisory services. Track record managing projects for owners, investors, developers, institutions, family offices, or operating companies across multiple project types. Strong command of the full development and construction lifecycle, with experience managing budgets, schedules, consultants, contractors, design professionals, vendors, and project stakeholders. Experience supporting business development, client presentations, proposals, scopes of work, marketing efforts, and relationship-driven growth. Experience developing teams, staffing plans, consultant networks, or flexible project delivery resources. Ability to support the creation and implementation of operating plans, policies, procedures, templates, and reporting standards. Familiarity with current project management technology, project controls, reporting tools, and industry best practices. Excellent written and verbal communication, with strong professionalism, judgment, accountability, and client-service orientation.

Preferred: Background in consulting, advisory, development services, owner’s representation, project management, construction management, or a real estate development platform. Existing network of owners, developers, investors, family offices, brokers, architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, or project management resources. Experience with industrial, multifamily, hospitality, adaptive reuse, retail, niche, and other complex commercial real estate projects. Familiarity with construction contracts, AIA and GMP documents, preconstruction, cost estimating, scheduling, value engineering, procurement, change order review, and project controls. PMP, CCM, LEED AP, PE, AIA, or related credentials are viewed favorably but are not required.

Compensation: The anticipated base salary range for this position is $185,000 to $225,000 per year. Actual base salary will be determined based on the candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, demonstrated project-delivery track record, business-development capabilities, and other job-related factors. This position is eligible for an annual performance-based bonus as a percentage of base salary, based on individual performance, business-line results, and overall company performance. The position will also be eligible for additional long-term and profit-sharing incentives. Gray Capital Investors offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) and employer contribution match, paid vacation/PTO and sick leave, and paid holidays.”Equal Opportunity Employer Gray Capital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the State of Illinois or the City of Chicago.

AI Screening Notification: Gray Capital may employ certain AI tools in its efforts to screen candidates. You may receive an AI interview request through Linked In if your application is selected for further consideration.