Deputy Director of Real Estate - Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development (DMPED)

Washington, DC

Full Time

Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED)

Senior Manager/Supervisor

POSITION:   Deputy Director of Real Estate
OFFICE:        Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED)
OPEN:            August 26, 2025
CLOSE:         September 15, 2025
GRADE:        Excepted Service, Grade 9 (ES-9)
SALARY:      $170,000

This is an Excepted Service position. Selected candidate must be a District resident or establish residency within 180 days of hire.

Current District of Columbia residents will receive priority and advanced preference for screening and interviews.

BACKGROUND

The District of Columbia’s Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) assists the Mayor in the coordination, planning, supervision, and execution of economic development efforts in the District of Columbia with the goal of creating and preserving affordable housing, creating jobs, and increasing tax revenue. More information is available on DMPED’s website at dmped.dc.gov. DMPED is seeking a Deputy Director of Real Estate for its Real Estate Development unit.

The Real Estate Development unit implements real estate development projects involving District-owned land and executes other real estate initiatives that support the District’s goals for economic prosperity and stronger neighborhoods in all 8 Wards. This unit is engaged in various activities including the disposition and development of a diverse portfolio of real estate development projects with private sector partners; Downtown revitalization; executing on the DC Comeback plan; master planning and policy initiatives; and special projects, including public-private partnerships involving public infrastructure and facilities.

As the Deputy Director of Real Estate at DMPED, you will serve in a senior leadership role to help oversee the functions of a real estate team that is part of a unique public office that sits in the Executive Office of the Mayor and helps guide the future growth of the District. You will join a team of real estate professionals working on projects encompassing all real estate product types with varying degrees of complexity and responsible for managing all aspects of District real estate development projects, including project planning and underwriting, oversight of development and construction activities, policy development, legislative coordination, and community engagement. Other responsibilities may include providing a broad range of analytical, organizational, and management support on multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use real estate projects within the DMPED portfolio.

MAJOR DUTIES

Collaborates with and supports the senior management team and business units within DMPED to identify real estate development opportunities and drive economic development outcomes across all real estate sectors.
Assesses feasibility for potential real estate development opportunities that will serve as a catalyst for generating community and financial benefits for the District and District residents, and provide creative, data-driven recommendations to drive project delivery and performance.
Coordinates planning efforts with city officials, District agencies, Advisory Neighborhood Councils (ANCs), community groups, and other stakeholders.
Provides leadership, oversight, and day-to-day management of real estate development projects and initiatives, including critical analysis of the design, value, cost, finance and disposition strategy.
Directs and manages the activities of retained consultants in support of program/project development, including surveyors, appraisers, architects and engineers, market and financial analysts, legal counsel, and real estate advisors.
Provides guidance and leadership to project managers to improve knowledge, expertise, and efficiency across the team.
Prepares, issues, and evaluates responses to Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI), Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Request for Proposals (RFP) and provides other recommendations to the senior leadership.
Performs any necessary analyses and leads the negotiation of joint venture development agreements, land disposition agreements, leases, and purchase contracts.
Ensures adherence and accountability for project objectives, budgets, and schedules.
Briefs DMPED senior staff and elected officials on project financials and business terms and leads the DMPED approval process for each project.
Attends/leads staff meetings, seminars, and workshops and sits on or chairs various committees.
Assist in developing, tracking, and maintaining project and portfolio performance and budget reports.
Conducts presentations and meetings with community stakeholders.
Presents before the DC Council at hearings regarding the surplus and disposition of District-owned land, as well as gap financing agreements for related DMPED projects.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Demonstrated experience leading complex commercial and residential real estate development and leasing transactions, and expertise on public-private partnership structures and their application to District government.
Familiarity with District and national affordable housing and public finance programs.
Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to comfortably and effectively interact with public and private sector stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience with community engagement and/or executive stakeholder management.
Outstanding attention to detail and organizational skills coupled with an ability to prioritize workload and complete tasks independently.
Proven strength in the use of spreadsheets, database and presentation applications, including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
Works well in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with an ability to multi-task and work collaboratively within a team.
Demonstrates sound judgment and ability to be an effective decision maker.
Understanding of District economic development issues, neighborhoods, and real estate market.
Strong interpersonal, written, verbal and analytical skills.
Experience with legislative processes a plus.
Experience working on large-scale, phased developments a plus.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Undergraduate degree required; relevant graduate degree a plus.
15 years or more of real estate related work experience required, including real estate acquisitions, development, investment, banking, finance, consulting, and/or public policy.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is performed primarily in-person in an office setting. Times in the field are permitted when there is a related event.

SPECIAL NOTE - SECURITY SENSITIVE

This position is deemed security sensitive. The incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability – Security Sensitive.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

There is a legal requirement that each new appointee to the Excepted Service either:

be a District of Columbia resident at the time of appointment; or
become a District resident within one hundred eighty (180) days of appointment.

The law also requires that Excepted Service employees remain District residents during the duration of the individual’s appointment. Failure to remain a District resident for the duration of the appointment will result in forfeiture of employment.

If you are interested in this role, please upload your resume and answer the questionnaire. Only the candidates deemed most suited for the position based on resume will receive a call to schedule further discussion.