Director, Real Estate Advisory (TOD)

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AECOM is seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Real Estate Advisory Services to lead and expand our growing practice supporting public, private, and institutional clients. With a particular focus on Transit Oriented Development (TOD). This hybrid role is expected to be based in Seattle, WA; Minneapolis, MN; Chicago, IL; or Austin, TX. Other office locations may be considered depending on the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

AECOM’s Buildings + Places (B+P) Consulting practice integrates traditional urban planning and design with real estate advisory and strategic consulting to help our clients create implementable plans. With more than 200 teammates nationally, we connect and create places that matter and communities that thrive by bringing together policy, development, planning, design, resilience, and economics.

Within that team, our Real Estate Advisory team leverages our experience in real estate strategy, development, governance, and finance to help our clients understand local market fundamentals, navigate complex transactions, and leverage real property to achieve policy goals, create value, and deliver exceptional buildings and places in service of an increasingly connected world. This leadership role entails making decisions about market demand, financial feasibility, and deal structure that balance financial feasibility/value, social benefits, and economic development for government agencies, transportation authorities, institutions, and commercial real-estate developers and investors.

The Real Estate Advisory Director’s responsibilities are organized broadly around three core functions in order of priority:

• Leading engagement with specific transit agencies and land-use authorities to provide advice on joint development, TOD planning and implementation, and housing production.

• Advising on transit agency policy and procedures that can improve the integration of urban form, land use, and broader economic goals (e.g., housing, jobs, mode shift, etc.) into the planning and implementation of new transit capital investments; and

• Supporting the physical planning, design, and delivery of transit-oriented development projects throughout the project lifecycle.

As a Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of communities and cities by cultivating specific client relationships and building teams to execute advisory projects or programs, including developing and implementing quantitative analysis including financial modeling; station area plans; conducting market analyses; identifying best practices; leading stakeholder engagement; developing graphics and presentations to communicate key findings; and writing sections of client deliverables and proposals.

This leadership position requires the ability to serve as the principal-in-charge or senior advisor on complex TOD projects, ensuring successful delivery and exceptional client satisfaction, lead client engagements, balance multiple projects and deadlines, delegate and oversee the work of junior staff, and communicate clearly with all project stakeholders including internal staff, subject matter experts, client representatives, owners and developers, regulatory authorities, and community members.

The core service areas include the following:

• Development feasibility studies

• Development planning (Station Area Plans; Joint Development Framework Plans; etc)

• Development solicitations (RFQs, RFPs, etc.)

• Deal structure and governance advice

• Asset strategy and business case analysis

• Portfolio strategy and optimization

• Organizational policies and procedures

• Affordable housing implementation strategies

• Market studies and highest and best use analysis

Minimum Requirements

• 10+ years of work experience in real estate development, real estate consulting, financial consulting, government real estate, or in a related field

• Bachelor's Degree in Real Estate, Finance, Planning, Economics, Business, Public Policy, Construction, Architecture, Engineering, or related field

• Experience with real estate finance and/or transactions

• Experience with transit agency procedures for TOD planning and implementation

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years

• Master's Degree in a related field

• Experience executing multi-disciplinary projects and leading client engagements

• Experience with the pre-development process including land planning, entitlements, and integration of public infrastructure with private development

• Experience evaluating or structuring complex transactions, including multi-phase developments or public-private partnerships

• Experience assembling or evaluating financing for real estate projects, including debt, equity, and public funding

• Experience working with the public sector, including work for government entities or experience leading projects through detailed public processes such as entitlements

• Experience navigating and thriving in a multi-disciplinary work environment

• Experience developing professional reports and presenting to external audiences

• Effective communication skills including succinct language, structured thinking, and isolating takeaways/action items

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.