Forum Asset Management Sr. Director or VP, Real Estate Development

Location: Toronto

Overview of Forum:

Join us in delivering Extraordinary Outcomes through investment.

Forum is a leading investor, developer and asset manager operating across North America for 25 years. Our core purpose is to deliver Extraordinary Outcomes to our stakeholders. Forum is proud to have delivered in the top tier of alternative asset returns since 2002, while positively impacting over 10,600 lives. Our investment strategy is focused on infrastructure, private equity and real estate. The enterprise value of our assets under management currently exceeds $3.1 billion and our projects attract top-tier investors.

We invite you to join us as we continue to grow and build something great together. The Forum team is adaptable, agile and dynamic and were committed to sustainable and responsible investing. Our people represent a diverse mix of cultural backgrounds and professional experiences, bringing together unique perspectives and skill sets that deliver growth to our stakeholders through innovation and thought leadership. Our cultural values uphold integrity, trust and transparency above all else. We know that in order to achieve Extraordinary Outcomes, we need to grow and support an Extraordinary team. If this sounds like something you align with, we want to meet you.

Position Overview:

We are looking for someone to join a dynamic team focused on making a difference in the housing sector. REIIFs portfolio is focused on driving impact and consists of multi-family, purpose-built student accommodations and furnished assets in markets across Canada, with additional housing typologies also being explored. Launched in December 2021, REIIF doubled in size from $200M in GAV to $400M in its first full year and is on track to reach ~$2.4B by the end of 2024. Forums intentions are to make REIIF the pre-eminent living sector opened-ended private REIT in Canada, driven largely from its proprietary access to Forums development pipeline which is valued at over $3B (based on completed value) with a target to grow this to $5B. REIIF will also strive to deliver a sector-leading impact and ESG-driven portfolio that will enhance yields, asset values and future-proof the portfolio.

We are looking for a driven and results oriented individual to join Forums growing Real Estate Development team in the role of Senior Director or Vice President.

Reporting to the Managing Director, Real Estate Development the Senior Director or VP, Real Estate Development will oversee full-cycle real estate projects, from concept to final delivery and support in land acquisition. This role demands advanced expertise in land entitlements, regulatory processes, and project execution. In close partnership with the Managing Director, this role will be expected to coordinate across teams and foster stakeholder relationships to ensure timely, budget-conscious, and high-quality project completion which includes working closely with the Managing Partner, Real Estate, who is a member of the Leadership team of Forum responsible for all facets of Forums real estate business.

Job Responsibilities

• Project Execution:
• Manage the development pipeline of projects ensuring alignment with company objectives and timely achievement of milestones.
• Working with the Managing Director, develop comprehensive project roadmaps, overseeing all phases from planning through to construction and final delivery.
• Integrate ESG principles and sustainability into development strategies.

Land Entitlement & Approvals:

• Lead land entitlement efforts, including securing zoning, site plan approvals, and other municipal permits.
• Drive effective negotiations with city officials, regulatory agencies, and community boards.
• Create and implement strategies that anticipate challenges, addressing potential issues proactively.

Technical Project Management:

• Guide teams of architects, engineers, and consultants, ensuring adherence to project requirements and technical specifications.
• Oversee technical submissions, including development plans, engineering reports, and environmental compliance documentation.
• Support in due diligence for potential acquisitions, guaranteeing comprehensive feasibility analysis and regulatory adherence.

Budgeting & Financial Oversight:

• Prepare, own and accountable for all project budgets and timelines and is a paramount priority and skillset
• Contributes to financial forecasts and responsible for detailed proforma cost assumptions and inputs.
• Monitor project financials to maintain cost control, addressing variances and ensuring profitability.
• Provide transparent financial and project milestones reporting to the Managing Director and partners.

Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management:

• Build and sustain relationships with municipal staff, community stakeholders, and joint venture partners.
• Act as a key spokesperson during public consultations, addressing community concerns and garnering support.
• Facilitate cross-department collaboration to align efforts among investment, leasing, and operations teams.

People Leadership:

• Working with the Managing Director, mentor a team of real estate professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Inspire and motivate team members, promoting innovative problem-solving and excellence in project delivery.
• Champion diversity, inclusion, and continuous learning within the team.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Architecture, Urban Planning, Real Estate, Engineering or a related field (Masters preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in real estate development, with a proven track record in land entitlements and large-scale project management.
• Worked on a minimum of 2 M square feet of approved GFA.
• Proven expertise in securing municipal approvals and navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
• Previous experience leading full-cycle development projects in mid-rise, high-rise, with predominance in multifamily residential. Student housing, purpose built rental and experience working across Canada is considered an asset.
• Solid leadership background with experience in mentoring and overseeing high-performing teams.
• In-depth knowledge of zoning, site plan, building codes, and environmental regulations.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management and proforma contribution.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to travel as needed.

At Forum, we encourage diversity. We are committed to an inclusive workplace that reflects our belief that diversity is central to building a high-performing team. Forum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices. Should you require an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment process, please let the recruitment team know [email protected].