Director, Real Estate Development

Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Real Estate, the Director of Development is a critical team member responsible for leading major real estate development initiatives for Vanderbilt University, with a primary focus on the Innovation Neighborhood. The role oversees developer solicitation, pre‑development planning, negotiations, implementation, design and construction oversight, activation planning, and ongoing coordination with internal and external stakeholders.

The Director of Development brings deep experience in real estate development, including public‑private partnerships (P3s), mixed‑use urban development, and complex multi‑phase projects. The role ensures that major development initiatives align with Vanderbilt’s institutional vision, financial expectations, academic and research objectives, and long‑term operational needs.

About Real Estate:

Vanderbilt University’s Real Estate portfolio includes approximately 41 buildings consisting of ~1 million gross rentable square feet, 760,000 square feet of commercial space, 305 apartment units, miscellaneous University ground leases, 460,000 square feet of leased space, the Vanderbilt Legends Club golf course and facilities, and West Trace, LLC (Holiday Inn Vanderbilt). Additionally, Real Estate is tasked with leading the University’s innovation neighborhood development and managing the University’s strategic real estate initiatives to include all acquisitions, dispositions, conversions, entitlements, and necessary real estate engagements to meet the Chancellor’s goals throughout the United States. 

VURE is part of the Vanderbilt University Real Estate, Facilities, and Development organization which works collaboratively to build, maintain, manage and operate campus infrastructure in a sustainable and cost-efficient manner to support the overarching academic mission and goals of the university.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Development Partner Procurement, Negotiation & Deal Execution

• Lead the developer solicitation process, including preparing RFP materials, coordinating internal review, evaluating proposals, and managing procurement workflows. 
• Negotiate business terms for P3 structures, ground leases, phased development agreements, and related transaction documents.
• Collaborate with Legal, Finance, Procurement, Corporate Partnerships, Academic Affairs, VU Enterprises and senior leadership to ensure agreements align with Vanderbilt’s objectives and financial and operational requirements.
• Manage project governance and prepare materials for executive and Board‑level decision‑making.

Design, Construction & Technical Oversight

• Provide oversight of developer‑led design and construction activities, ensuring alignment with campus design guidelines, infrastructure standards, and operational considerations.
• Coordinate technical review with VU internal departments (Planning, Design, and Construction, Maintenance & Operations, Mobility/Parking, Environmental Health & Safety) to ensure integration with campus systems. 
• Monitor design quality, construction progress, schedule adherence, and value management efforts.
• Manage construction communication and impact mitigation in coordination with campus stakeholders and external partners.
• Maintain continuous oversight to ensure developer performance meets Vanderbilt expectations.
  
   

Development Analysis, Feasibility & Financial Modeling

• Conduct feasibility studies, evaluate development scenarios, and lead financial analysis to assess long‑term operating implications, risk factors, and cost/benefit scenarios for major development decisions.
• Review developer financials, budgets, schedules, and pro formas; provide internal recommendations.
• Partner with REFD Business Operations and Finance to evaluate deal terms, capital needs, and long‑term portfolio impact.
  
   

Innovation Neighborhood Leadership & District Management

• Serve as a central project leader for the Innovation Neighborhood, overseeing entitlements, infrastructure planning, public realm development, retail tenanting strategy, tenant recruitment support, and implementation sequencing. 
• Coordinate internally with VU departments (Center for Technology Transfer & Commercialization, Corporate Partnerships, schools/colleges, researchers, and community partners) to align district tenanting and recruitment with Vanderbilt’s innovation and academic goals.
• Support public realm planning, open space coordination, and activation strategy, ensuring the district evolves as a vibrant, functional innovation ecosystem.
• Serve as liaison with Metro Nashville agencies alongside development partner and VU’s Government and Community Relations office. 
• Work closely with VU’s Government and Community Relations office on neighborhood relations, meetings, and construction impact mitigation.

Stakeholder Management & Cross‑Functional Coordination

• Act as a connector across REFD, Finance, Legal, Planning, Design & Construction, Maintenance & Operations, Administration, academic units, and developer teams.
• Facilitate decision‑making processes, manage conflict points, and maintain communication across multiple internal and external workstreams.
• Develop and present clear and compelling executive‑level presentations, scenario analyses, and project summaries.

Assist with regulatory coordination and engagement with Metro Nashville, permitting entities, and other agencies.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Real Estate

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Degree in Real Estate, Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Finance, Development, or related field preferred.

• Advanced degree or certifications (e.g., real estate development, finance, project management) preferred.

Experience and Skills:

Required

• 5–8 years of real estate development experience, with direct involvement in development projects from conception through implementation.
• Experience in P3 development, mixed‑use or large‑scale campus development, or master developer relationships.
• Demonstrated capability managing design and construction teams, consultants, and technical experts.
• Strong financial modeling and analytical skills, including pro forma development and deal evaluation.
• Experience evaluating and negotiating complex real estate agreements.
• Ability to lead multi‑stakeholder initiatives in a complex institutional or corporate environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship‑management skills.

Preferred

• Experience in higher education, research campuses, or innovation district development.
• Familiarity with entitlements, infrastructure planning, and public realm/urban design principles.
• Understanding of large‑scale district activation and tenanting strategies.