Executive Vice President, Development

ST LOUIS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION•St. Louis, MO

2d•$200,000 - $0•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Vice President (EVP) of Development is responsible for building and managing the City of St. Louis’ development pipeline, spanning real estate projects, developers, new business attraction, and business retention. This role serves as the primary engine for deal flow and developer engagement at SLDC. The EVP ensures that developers, businesses, and investors experience a clear, coordinated, and predictable pathway to executing projects in the City. The EVP of Development leads the strategy, systems, and team responsible for: Generating qualified development opportunities Attracting and retaining businesses Managing relationships with developers and corporate partners Delivering a high-quality, coordinated “developer experience” Success in this role is measured by the strength, quality, and conversion of SLDC’s pipeline into executed projects and sustained economic activity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
10+ years of experience in economic development, real estate development, business development, or related field
Demonstrated experience: Managing complex stakeholder environments, Leading teams responsible for deal flow or pipeline generation, Structuring or supporting development projects and/or business attraction
Strong understanding of: Real estate development processes, Economic incentives and public finance tools, Business attraction and retention strategies
Ability to: Build and manage high-level relationships, Translate strategy into executable systems, Operate effectively in a fast-paced, politically dynamic environment
Strong communication and negotiation skills

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred

Responsibilities

Build and maintain a qualified pipeline of: Real estate development projects, Active and prospective developers, Business attraction opportunities
Establish clear criteria for what constitutes a “qualified opportunity”
Track pipeline progression from initial engagement through project execution
Partner with Major Projects, LRA, and Neighborhood Partnerships teams to ensure pipeline alignment with SLDC strategic focus.
Serve as the executive leader responsible for developer and business relationships across the City
Ensure consistent engagement with: Local and national developers, Corporate and institutional employers, Site selectors and intermediaries
Develop and implement a business retention and expansion strategy
Build long-term trust with repeat developers and investors
Design and operationalize a best-in-class developer experience model, including: Clear points of contact for each project, Coordinated navigation of City processes and approvals, Transparent timelines and expectations
Ensure developers receive: Accurate and timely information, Coordinated access to incentives and resources, A consistent and professional experience across SLDC and City departments
Oversee the alignment of incentives with development strategy and project feasibility
Ensure incentives are: Structured effectively, Deployed efficiently, Aligned with City priorities and financial sustainability
Lead strategy and execution for: New business recruitment, Business expansion within the City
Develop targeted outreach strategies based on industry sectors and market opportunities
Coordinate with regional partners to position St. Louis competitively
Lead the development and refinement of internal tools to support pipeline management, including: CRM (e.g., Salesforce) optimization, Pipeline tracking and reporting systems
Support the development of advanced tools such as: Digital twin capabilities, Market intelligence platforms
Establish clear performance dashboards and reporting mechanisms
Work closely with: SVP, Real Estate (project readiness and execution), VP, LRA (land strategy and site control), COO (operational alignment and performance management)
Ensure seamless handoffs between: Pipeline creation, project execution, asset stabilization
Establish and manage KPIs, including: Pipeline size and quality, Project conversion rates, Time-to-deal execution, Business retention and expansion metrics
Regularly report performance to the CEO and Board
Drive a culture of execution, responsiveness, and accountability