Director/Market Leader Real Estate Chicago

Founded in 1952 and formerly known as Heery International Inc., the firm operates throughout the United States as part of Turner & Townsend. It specializes in project and program management for public sector organizations, with industry-leading experts in corporate, cultural, healthcare, justice, sports, K-12 education, higher education, aviation and government facilities.

Our purpose:

Transforming performance for a green, inclusive, and productive world.

The world is changing, and we have a responsibility to support that change, helping drive it and be part of it. Through the commitment, capability and care our team brings, we build trust between clients, suppliers, governments and society. Delivering better outcomes that have a positive impact on the world around us. We work smarter to face the challenges of the future; bringing clarity that helps teams realize their full potential across the real estate, infrastructure and natural resources sectors. It’s how we’ve made the difference for more than 75 years.

Our values:

Love a challenge: We love a challenge, and we work hard to make change happen and see things through. We don’t stand still, challenging ourselves and others to do better every day. And we are trusted to do the right thing, raising standards all the time.

Stronger together: We’re stronger together by connecting people in diverse teams, so that we can all collaborate to deliver our best work. We focus on what matters and use our influence to build a better world for everyone.

Bring out the best in everyone: We bring out the best in everyone. We help each other to make the most of our potential, always learning from our experience. We treat each other with care and respect and make time to give everyone a voice.

Turner & Townsend Heery, LLC. is seeking a Director/Market Leader in the Real Estate sector in Chicago. The Chicago Market Leader will be responsible for the growth, profitability and sustainability of the business unit through leadership, new business development, client management and service delivery.

This role presents a unique opportunity for a progressive leader to build from a strong foundation, taking operations to the next level of maturity. 

The ideal candidate will have significant experience working for public and/or governmental entities delivering capital improvement programs and projects. Experience with K-12 school districts, Higher Education, or state, county and local municipality projects is preferred. This individual should be a self-starter, and able to take initiative and drive activities with limited oversight, while having extensive experience leading large teams.

We are seeking a candidate that has experience of leading work streams and has the desire to support the growth of our business with our fast-paced environment. This role will be expected to support leadership and take the lead role when delivering scope with some of our major clients.

Furthermore, the Director must be experienced in the coordination of predesign, design, procurement, preconstruction, construction, and close-out activities of a Project and Program, and previously held executive point of contact positions between the Client, the Architect, the Contractor, and other Consultants.  This position establishes positive client relationships and is responsible for ensuring all aspects of services are delivered at the highest level to ensure the Client’s needs are addressed. The Project Management Director is responsible for total management of Turner & Townsend Heery programs, including the complete financial management of projects and the achievement of a profitable outcome. The successful applicant will have a proven track record dealing with new, ground-up construction, as well as additions and interior renovations.

Candidate needs financial acumen, including previous P&L management/responsibility, and general understanding of fee schedules, profitability, etc.

Business development, client strategy, and client relations experience, along with excellent written and verbal skills, including presentations skills, is a must. 

Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day operational management duties of the local operations team, as part of the leadership team you will be required to support the achievement of our strategic goals.
• Act as or support the commissions leads on our programs including managing client relations and commercial contractual arrangements.
• Support the development of program processes and systems that enable efficient data collection, management, and benchmarking.
• Lead and motivate others to deliver excellent client service.
• Lead the set-up, delivery and close out in accordance with the requirements of the role.
• Identify opportunities to develop new business with existing clients and report such opportunities to the appropriate line manager.
• Lead in the production of bid documentation.
• Ensure that project case studies, photographs and project files are kept up to date on our internal systems.
• Identify ways in which project management products and services can be improved and refer ideas to the appropriate line manager. Understanding, identifying, and developing cross-divisional ideas into value opportunities.

• Extensive understanding of project and program management principles, methods, and techniques.
• Responsible for ensuring all aspects of services are delivered at the highest level to ensure the client’s needs are addressed.
• Manage the day-to-day project activities and resources to ensure projects and programs are proceeding according to scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards.
• Manage project and program issues and risks to mitigate impact to baseline.
• Prepare and implement detailed project plan for all phases of the project with budgetary information and resource needs.
• Develop and deliver progress reports, proposals, requirements documentation, and presentations to various audiences, including project team and key stakeholders.
• Refine project budget as needed to ensure timeliness and fiscal responsibility.
• Provide leadership for project team by communicating project objectives and motivating team members to meet project goals, adhering to their responsibilities and project milestones.
• Work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment demonstrating teamwork, innovation, and excellence.
• Position has frequent interaction with the Owner/Client, consultants, design professionals, and contractors.
• Complete any other job-related duties as assigned.

• 15+ years of relevant technical and leadership experience overseeing major construction projects or programs.
• Recognized university degree. Masters preferred.
• Experience managing commissions effectively and efficiently.
• Consulting experience.
• Development of strong relationships with clients and cross-functional team members.
• Experience managing a local team and direct reports.
• General line management operational responsibilities.
• Business development experience with existing and new clients, including cross- selling opportunities.
• Tracking margin levels and monthly fee/resource forecasts on all commissions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills essential, ability to communicate well with clients and senior management.
• Ability to advise at a strategic level during the project conception stage, including providing advice on the different approaches that can be adopted to successfully achieve the client’s overall objectives.
• Great time management skills. Ensure that the project is managed to the right quality standards and completed efficiently and on time.
• Assuring key information and data is effectively shared and appropriately retained.
• Develop and deliver progress reports, proposals, requirements documentation, and presentations to various audiences, including project team and key stakeholders.
• Excellent skills with Microsoft Office Suite. Knowledge in MS Project, contracts, project management software, and construction practices.

Education/Experience

• Determining and delivering an accelerated business generation strategy
• Building our proposition and delivery capability
• Developing and maintaining senior / executive level relationships with clients and industry peers
• Project execution assurance
• Work closely with, and oversee the performance of, existing operational Project and Cost Management teams.
• Coordinate with project team leaders on project negotiations and execution.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Attention to detail in service delivery, communications, and ways of working with others.
• Demonstrably excellent analytic and communication skills.
• Commercial awareness including the ability to articulate business decisions within a wider context and market trends.
• Confident leading alone and working as part of a team, with ability to flex according to the needs of the program/office.
• A desire to grow and develop roles into more senior opportunities.
• Business development experience, in the context of identifying opportunities with existing and new clients.
• Competent user of data management software (for example Excel) and systems for data cleansing, management, analytics, and quality assurance.
• Possess an approach to working that covers delivery of tasks and effective stakeholder engagement.
• Leadership experience in the conception, development and implementation of large programs.
• Demonstrated design and construction project management experience working with K-12, federal, state, local government, and other not-for-profit entities on capital improvement projects with the ability to be highly effective in a client facing role.
• A college degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field required, and master’s in business or AEC field preferred.
• Architecture, engineering, or construction background is required.

• Registered architect, engineer, CCM, PMP or other Design or Construction certification is a plus; must be able to attain certification within six months of employment.
• Membership in relevant professional organizations.
• Experience managing demanding stakeholders and work stream managers.
• Experience in new ground up construction, additions, renovations, and capital maintenance projects.
• Familiarity with construction best practices, general building codes, and various building types and systems.
• Knowledge of construction estimation and scheduling.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and plan documents, develop contracts, request for proposals, or other project related documents.
• Possess the ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously and identify priority activities.

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance. 

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/

Turner & Townsend does not accept any speculative or unsolicited CV’s that have been sent to our internal recruitment team or hiring managers from agencies outside of our preferred supplier list or that have not followed due process. Any speculative or unsolicited CV’s will be treated as a direct application.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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