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Location: L'Enfant Plaza

WMATA Reference: 250569

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is seeking a visionary and accomplished executive to serve as its next Senior Vice President of Real Estate & Development, an exceptional opportunity to lead one of the most strategically significant roles in public transit real estate today. Reporting directly to the General Manager/CEO, this position offers the unique chance to shape the future of transit-oriented development across the National Capital Region while driving regional growth, long-term revenue generation, and sustainable urban transformation. As a trusted advisor to WMATA's executive leadership, the SVP Real Estate & Development will collaborate closely with local jurisdictions, elected officials, and private sector partners to execute complex public-private partnerships and high-value real estate transactions. If you are an innovative leader with a passion for public impact, value creation, and community-centered development, we invite you to bring your vision to one of the most visible and impactful roles in public transportation real estate today.

Summary
The Senior Vice President, Real Estate & Development reports directly to the General Manager & CEO and serves on the Senior Executive Team. This role leads the Office of Real Estate, Joint Development, and Joint Development Adjacent Construction, overseeing transit-supportive efforts including transit- oriented development, efficient parking operations, improved station access, adjacent construction reviews, revenue generation from assets, and real estate portfolio management. The incumbent manages a team of asset managers, planners, and parking staff, and is the lead on development around Metro stations. The role involves collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including the Board, elected officials, and interest groups. The incumbent ensures all real estate, planning, and parking efforts align with WMATA's transit, financial, and operational goals.

Essential Functions

Principal Job Duties

• Directs staff and leads the development and execution of office goals, objectives, priorities, and the annual budget; assigns work accordingly to ensure alignment with organizational objectives. Serves as the principal advisor to the Authority on all matters pertaining to land use and transit oriented development; acquisition, disposition, leasing and development of the Authority's real property; real asset management and portfolio optimization; and parking and bicycle operations, capital planning, and revenue generation.
• Oversees all aspects of asset management and revenue generation by the Authority's real estate portfolio. Establishes and directs the Authority's program for the acquisition of real property either by direct purchase or condemnation, including the acquisition of properties in fee simple by easement, lease, license or other means. Establishes and directs an effective portfolio management program for all properties owned, including short-term leases, long-term leases, and disposal by sale or exchange, to support the renovation, expansion, and/or construction of new transit facilities. Provides reports, records and data on the status of acquisition, development, management, and disposal of Authority-owned real property managing portfolio strategies that generate revenue and reduce risk for the Authority or otherwise benefit the Authority in accordance with federal regulations, jurisdictional plans and regulations, and WMATA policies and procedures.
• Oversees all aspects of the Authority's joint development program, including but not limited to its policies, priorities, and oversight of negotiations and transactions. Effectively markets joint development opportunities and develops funding solutions for replacement transit infrastructure at joint development sites, to attract high-quality transit-oriented development at and around Metro's rail and bus facilities. Evaluates, negotiates, and contracts for private-public development that promote the Authority's transit-supporting goal. Facilitating development of real estate strategies that will generate revenue and increase ridership for the Authority or otherwise benefit the Authority.
• Oversees all aspects of Joint Development and Adjacent Construction reviews of projects adjacent to, on, over, or under WMATA Metrorail and Metrobus property, facilities, and operations to ensure that:
• Oversees all aspects of the Authority's parking operations, portfolio management and revenue generation, which includes approximately 62,000 parking spaces and 4,000 bicycle facilities across the region. Coordinates with others within the Authority and contractors to implement maintenance, cleaning, security and capital improvement program for Metro parking and bicycle facilities throughout the region. Develops and implements practical and innovative strategies to (1) increase ridership and utilization of the Authority's parking assets; (2) increase pedestrian and bicycle access to Metro's rail and bus facilities; (3) improve customer satisfaction and safety; and (4) generate revenue.
• Establishes and directs the Authority's joint development site planning, review and coordination, and develops station access policies and practices, to achieve: (1) high quality transit-oriented development at and around Metro rail and bus facilities; (2) bus and rail ridership increases; (3) improved convenience of using transit; and (4) financially feasible development plans. Leads, communicates, and coordinates with local jurisdictional leaders and staff on local land use, transportation, and economic development initiatives and projects that interface with the Authority's transit facilities.
• Ensures that the Authority's real property and parking programs comply with applicable federal and local grant requirements and procedures, as well as the Authority's policies and procedures, and that necessary approvals are obtained in a timely manner in order not to delay Authority transactions or jeopardize WMATA's funding. Ensures proper liaison is maintained with federal and jurisdictional partners. Ensures that necessary funding forecasts and reports are submitted on time and as required to comply with federal and local grant requirements.
• Represents the activities of the Office before the Authority's executive management and Board of Directors. Prepares and presents oral and written reports and/or recommendations for the Board of Directors, General Manager &CEO, and others within areas of assigned responsibility to support executive management and Board of Directors with sound decision making regarding real estate and parking portfolio decisions.
• Acts as a primary point for contact with local jurisdictions, regional groups and state and federal agencies on land use and property development-related matters. Represents and advocates for local and regional land use and transportation policies that support of transit oriented development, transit use, and investment in improvements to transit facilities. Participates on various local and regional committees and task force groups related to transit-oriented development and planning activities. Leads negotiations with public-sector and private real estate developers, establishing mutually agreeable parameters within which implementation of transit- oriented and/or transit-supporting development is undertaken.
• Monitors regional and local real estate, parking, and economic markets. Serves as the principal advisor to the executive management and others in the Authority on matters pertaining to real estate development, economic development, and land use issues and parking in support of executive management and others with sound decision making regarding real estate and parking portfolio and Metro station planning decisions.
• Provides responses to inquiries from member of Congress, federal and local officials, members of the Board of Directors and the general public regarding all areas of Authority real estate property and station access planning matters. Communicates, promotes and advocates for the Authority's interests in transit-oriented development and investment in improvements to transit facilities providing accurate and reliable information for external partners and provide high-quality customer services.

Other Duties

• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Planning, Engineering, Public Administration, Architecture, Economics, or related fields

Minimum Experience

• Minimum of twelve (12) years of experience in the real estate industry, asset and/or portfolio management, and/or site planning field.
• Must have experience establishing and/or negotiating public-private partnerships, negotiating with real estate developers, and/or. working with planning professionals, jurisdictional leaders and stakeholders, and communicating publicly.
• Must have experience managing a team of real estate professionals and/or managing projects and consultants.
• Must have experience resolving and negotiating solutions to complex site planning issues that involve transportation and private real estate development priorities.
• Must have experience with public-private financing solutions for infrastructure replacement and/or expansion.

Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in Business Administration, Planning, Engineering, Public Administration, Architecture, Economics, or related fields

Medical Group:
Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Evaluation Criteria:
Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal background check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety-sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing:
WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.

Application Deadline: 7/7/2025, 11:59 p.m.

To apply for this position, visit WMATA's Career Center

Equal Employment Opportunity