Director, Real Estate & Economic Development, Texas

HR&A Advisors•Dallas, TX

24d•$131,600 - $153,779•Hybrid

About The Position

HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company that advises public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities. HR&A guides clients in transforming real estate and economic development concepts, and public infrastructure, into actionable plans and then into job-producing, community-strengthening assets. HR&A has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, Washington D.C., and the Bay Area. The firm is seeking to hire a Director in its Dallas office, with remote candidates based in a major Texas city being considered if they commit to regular trips to the Dallas office. Directors are experienced professionals who lead project teams, manage client relationships, and contribute to business development. This role is part of HR&A’s Vital Places Studio, focusing on real estate advisory, economic development, climate and resilience, parks and open space, transit-oriented development, and infrastructure projects. The Director will advise mayors, agency heads, real estate owners and developers, and institutional and community clients on high-stakes real estate and economic development decisions across Texas, shaping strategies that unlock investment, expand opportunity, and bring places to life. Recent projects include visions for urban development, strategy development for educational anchors, development advisory for innovation districts, and economic development policy planning.

Requirements

8–12 years of experience in government, urban planning, economic development, real estate, housing, public policy, or related consulting fields.
Substantial project management experience developing and steering economic development, real estate, infrastructure, or parks and open space projects and proposals
Knowledge of the land use and economic development context, stakeholders, politics, regulations, and government processes within Texas cities
Experience and comfort with real estate financial modeling and analysis
Excellent writing and presentation skills
Demonstrated ability to lead teams and mentor junior staff
Strong client management and communication skills
Proficiency in common AI tools and understanding of limitations of AI tools
Demonstrated interest in using emerging AI tools to accelerate data analysis, deliverable production and other specialized methodologies

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or commensurate work experience in city planning, economic development, real estate, public policy, business, or a related field preferred (additional experience may substitute for a graduate degree)
A passion for community development and inclusive urban growth

Responsibilities

Managing internal and external teams to deliver complex real estate, public-private partnership, and economic development strategies
Leading market, feasibility, business planning, and fiscal and economic impact studies
Designing public-private partnership strategies and analyzing and crafting public policies
Managing developer solicitations on behalf of major landowners and conducting and reviewing pro forma and residual land value analysis for a range of uses
Developing and implementing effective and inclusive community and stakeholder engagement strategies
Reviewing and presenting client deliverables, including memos, reports, and presentations
Supporting and leading business development efforts, including proposal writing, client cultivation and engagement, and participation in local professional and industry networks
Mentoring junior staff and contributing to internal culture-building, business planning, and business improvement initiatives