Description:
Forum is seeking a driven and detail-oriented Manager, Real Estate Development to join our high-performing real estate development team. Based in our downtown Toronto office, the Manager will play a pivotal role in advancing Forum’s portfolio of urban mixed-use, residential, and commercial projects across Canada. The role offers direct exposure to all phases of the development lifecycle — from due diligence and approvals to design execution and stakeholder engagement. This is a fast-paced, high-impact position ideal for a real estate development professional looking to broaden their experience in a high-growth environment.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Responsible for overseeing design and municipal approvals for multiple real estate projects, as many as four projects at a time
- Contribute to due diligence assessments and pursuit projects, inclusive of research and highest & best use analysis.
- Ability to conduct market research and competitive landscape analyses to support strategic investment decisions.
- Proactively manage changes in project scope, identify potential risks to projects, and establish mitigation strategies
- Manage and coordinate a team of multi-disciplinary consultants.
- Maintain relationships with key stakeholders such as City staff and commenting agencies.
- Negotiate effectively with municipal authorities, consultants, and external stakeholders to resolve disputes and facilitate timely approvals.
- Responsible for obtaining the necessary approvals and permits while achieving the design and strategy set by the MP and MD.
- Prepare consultant RFPs, evaluate proposals, and prepare recommendations
- Review and comment on various legal agreements.
- Responsible for managing project budgets and schedules with the Senior Analyst, Real Estate Development, to ensure the development is completed on time and within budget.
- Liaise and work with the Project Management team to ensure seamless transition into construction and continue to provide support.
- Work with the Investment Team to ensure all pertinent information is provided.
- Liaise and work with the Leasing and Operations team to ensure a seamless occupancy and while meeting lease-up objectives. Conduct regular internal briefings, clearly communicating project status, milestones, risks, and opportunities to senior management.
- Overseeing all internal and external reporting with an emphasis on proficiency for maintaining design standards, and preparing visuals
- Technical contact for the investment team, asset management and users throughout the entire realization phase.
- Assist and implement with the ESG team with continued initiatives.
- Experience with grants and funding associated with affordable housing and high-performance projects.
- Ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
- Stay informed about industry trends, market conditions, and regulatory changes that may impact current and future projects.
- Represent the company in public meetings, community engagement, any other forums.
Candidate Profile
- 5+ years of active development experience in a developer, project management, and entitlement capacity.
- Demonstrated experience successfully managing large-scale, complex real estate development projects through challenging entitlement processes.
- Undergraduate in real estate, planning, land development or equivalent.
- Experience in various asset classes is considered an asset.
- Strong financial acumen with a proven ability to create, analyze, and interpret complex project budgets, cash flow forecasts, and investment models.
- Excellent budgeting and scheduling skills
- Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
- Familiarity with specialized real estate software (e.g., Ratio.City, Yardi, Procore, Bluebeam, GIS platforms).
- High sense of urgency, with a demonstrated ability to execute on multiple competing priorities in a fast paced + high volume environment.
- Exceptional ability to build relationships, influence, and engage with diverse internal and external groups.
- Demonstrated capability to work independently while ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and high-quality deliverables.
- Strong problem-solving skills, along with excellent communication and organizational abilities.
- Essential experience in navigating political systems, with a deep understanding of development approvals, planning processes, and a robust background in real estate development.