REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Recruitment #2407-5950-001

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Introduction

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CIVIL SERVICE

Appointment and continued employment are at the pleasure of the Commissioner – City Development.

 The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Purpose

Under the direction of the Real Estate Director of the Department of City Development (DCD), the Real Estate and Development Manager is responsible for staff and programs related to the acquisition and disposition of property for redevelopment and oversees the maintenance, marketing and preservation of tax-foreclosed residential and commercial property, surplus municipal property, and surplus Milwaukee Public Schools property.

Essential Functions

STAFF MANAGEMENT

  • Direct staff responsible for the management, maintenance, disposition, pricing, and marketing of improved and vacant properties owned by the City of Milwaukee, Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee (RACM), and Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), including tax-foreclosed commercial and residential property and surplus municipal and Milwaukee Public Schools’ properties.   
  • Manages staff responsible for maintaining vacant City and RACM property, alongside the Department of Public Works (DPW) and various private vendors.
  • Assign and review work, establish work schedules, conduct staff meetings, devise process improvements, and conduct performance reviews. Update job descriptions.  
  • Develop policies and procedures for City real estate transactions and monitor staff implementation

REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION, DISPOSITION AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Collaborate with various City departments and other municipal departments to accomplish various real estate goals, including acquisition and disposition of real estate for public purposes.
  • Manage and coordinate complex real estate transactions, including city real estate development projects, foreclosure and eviction activities.
  • Direct special projects, such as providing emergency housing, tenant lease to own programing and trades training.
  • Coordinate review of contracts for ongoing property marketing, maintenance and improvement on an annual and as-needed basis, working closely with the DCD’s purchasing staff.
  • Design and negotiate the terms of DCD’s real estate broker and title company contracts; troubleshoot contracts and relationships.
  • Designate properties for certain dispositions according to established goals. Assemble City and RACM-owned land for-profit and not-for-profit developers to assemble and cluster properties for the highest and best development use. 
  • Implement the intent of Redevelopment Plans through the acquisition and disposition of real estate.
  • Coordinate demolition of City and RACM properties with the Department of Neighborhood Services.  

ADMINISTRATION 

  • Write resolutions and ordinances relating to municipal real estate policy and practice for the Milwaukee Common Council and RACM.  Represent the Real Estate Section in presentations to public bodies. Provide information and guidance to City and RACM policy-makers regarding real estate matters.
  • Represent DCD Real Estate on various Common Council committees, including the Air and Subterranean Lease Committee. Attend community meetings and Aldermanic town halls.  Represent the City of Milwaukee in national workgroups and communities of practice.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Conditions of Employment

  • Work variable hours as required by the needs of the department, including occasional evenings and weekends.
  • Travel to various sites throughout the City of Milwaukee.

Minimum Requirements

  1. A Bachelor’s Degree in public administration, real estate, urban planning, architecture, business administration or a related field from an accredited college or university.
  2. Five years of progressively responsible experience in the management, marketing and sale of real estate.
  3. One year of supervisory experience related to the essential functions of this position
  4. Ability to travel independently throughout the City of Milwaukee by public transportation, walking, bicycling, ridesharing, or driving.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.


NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

Desirable Qualifications

  • Real estate sales or Broker’s License.
  • Master’s degree in public administration, real estate, urban planning, architecture, business administration, or other related field.
  • Knowledge of municipal real estate practices.
  • Property appraisal experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

TECHNICAL
  • Knowledge of real estate sales and marketing principles and techniques.
  • Knowledge of real estate, urban planning, architecture, and construction initiatives and principles. 
  • Ability to learn and understand the City of Milwaukee’s real estate market to serve the City’s property interests and the needs of buyers, tenants, and contractors.   
  • Ability to read and apply laws, ordinances, codes and regulations.
  • Ability to evaluate development proposals and make financial assistance determinations.  
  • Ability to understand financial information to perform accurate calculations. 
  • Ability to learn and effectively utilize proprietary software.
  • Ability to use spreadsheets, word processing software, e-mail and database applications.
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT 
  • Knowledge of management principles and practices.
  • Ability to effectively assign duties, set performance standards, provide guidance and training, monitor and evaluate performance, coach and counsel employees, take corrective action, and make hiring recommendations.
  • Ability to plan and coordinate work of others.
  • Knowledge of best practices for selecting, supervising, and motivating employees.

INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION
  • Ability to collaborate with a wide range of people across responsibility levels.
  • Customer service skills to provide outstanding client service.
  • Ability to effectively communicate to a wide variety of audiences, including residents, lenders, real estate agents and elected officials.  
  • Ability to make presentations in public meetings.
  • Written communication skills to create clear and concise business communications such as memo, reports, budget summaries, policies, procedures and performance reviews.  
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse customers including elected officials, community organizations, business owners, contractors, the public and co-workers.
  • Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROFESSIONALISM
  • Ability to manage and oversee complex tasks.
  • Honesty and integrity to meet professional standards for handling confidential information.
  • Ability to recommend and implement solutions to complex problems.
  • Ability to plan and organize work, prioritize tasks, manage projects, and successfully delegate work to complete tasks based on departmental deadlines and goals.
  • Ability to use tact, diplomacy, and excellent judgment when interacting with the public, elected officials, and employees of the City.

Current Salary

The current salary range (Pay Range 1MX) is $123,088-$144,744 annually, and the resident incentive salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $126,780-$149,086. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

 The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes:

  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Health and Dental Insurance
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Comprehensive Wellness Program
  • Onsite Clinic Services
  • Onsite Employee Assistance Program
  • Alternative Work Schedules
  • Long Term Disability Insurance
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Tuition Benefits
  • Paid Vacation
  • 12 Paid Holidays
  • Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
  • Flexible Spending Arrangement
  • Commuter Value Pass  

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/benefits. 

Selection Process

THE SELECTION PROCESS will include an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which should be detailed in a cover letter and resume.

  • Cover letter and resume must be sent via email to Human Resources Administrator, Vanessa Armstrong at vaarmst@milwaukee.gov by 4:45 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024.
  • Please indicate Real Estate and Development Manager in the subject line of the email.
  • Questions relative to the selection process may be directed to HR Administrator Vanessa Armstrong at vaarmst@milwaukee.gov.
  • The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process. 

INITIAL FILING DATE:

  • The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after Friday, August 9, 2024.
  • Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

Conclusion

EEO 101

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.