POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director will manage ULI Minnesota’s five Local Product Councils (LPCs), our keystone Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDi) and alumni program, and the Programming Committee. In addition, the Director is expected to be a crucial leader in integrating an ethic of equity and inclusion throughout ULI Minnesota programming. Leadership of these programs will include strategic vision, relationship management with senior-level ULI Minnesota members, programmatic and financial oversight of iniatives, cultivation of relationships with key program sponsors, and ability to manage and implement the logistical details of programs and events. The Director will also staff a member-leader team on strategic annual programming, integrating resources and conversations from the LPCs and diversity, equity, and inclusion programming. The Director will report to the Executive Director.

The Director will be the primary staff contact with several different member-leader teams—co-chairs of the LPCs, Mission Advancement Chair, REDi Steering Committee, and Programming Committee—and provide strategic guidance on the connection between those programs and teams and ULI’s mission of creating thriving, sustainable, and equitable communities. The Director will also play a crucial role in maintaining and developing relationships with sponsors of the REDi program and LPC members. Internally, the Director will participate in regular staff meetings and partner to support (and be supported by) other staff managing different programs as events demand. The Director will manage vendors for events and programs the position oversees (e.g., catering, a/v, event sponsors).

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:

The Urban Land Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members. Founded in 1936, the Institute has more than 45,000 members worldwide representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines, working in private enterprise and public service. As the preeminent, multidisciplinary real estate forum, ULI facilitates the open exchange of ideas, information, and experience among local, regional, national, and international industry leaders and policy makers dedicated to creating better places. The mission of ULI is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director will own strategy and program development for LPCs and REDi, both high-visibility programs that serve as major leadership pipelines for the organization. The Director is expected to build additional relationships in the community that will serve to bring speakers and context experts to the LPCs and REDi and work with co-chairs to craft each session. The Director should keep abreast of trends in the industry and local market and be able to engage member-leaders in strategic conversations on how ULI can best equip members in the face of changing market conditions and also work to identify strategic opportunities where LPCs can advance the mission of ULI. The Director should also be specifically looking for opportunities to launch additional councils and/or expand programming for the REDi alumni community, in conjunction with engaged member-leaders.

Manage Local Product Councils (LPCs)

• Manage local product councils (Market Council, Housing Council, Resilient Communities Council, Community Development Council, and Capital Markets Council), which are topically focused, multidisciplinary groups of senior-level professionals involved in a specific facet of real estate who commit to meet on a regular basis, develop trusted connections, and share best practices.
• Ensure future-forward content, support of co-chairs, facilitate membership dues renewals, continuing education credit applications, and manage on-site and virtual meetings. Each product council meets two times per year for a total of 10 half-day sessions.
• Work with the volunteer member co-chairs of the LPCs to develop programming; identify relevant resources; schedule and execute meetings; manage member communications, directories, and terms; and recruit new council members.
• Identify opportunities within the membership to engage council members in other areas of the district council, particularly technical assistance and programs.
• Provide logistical support to LPC meetings, including applications for continuing education credits (MN Real Estate, AICP, AIA).
• Support the launch of other LPCs as identified.

Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDi)

• Coordinate ULI Minnesota’s REDi program, an intensive and experiential course designed for professionals of color and women working in real estate industries that dives into what it takes to put together a successful development through a combination of curriculum and case study work.
• Work with volunteer co-chairs and a steering committee to develop the course framework for the year, including the identification of a development partner, study site, guest speakers, and project mentors.
• Identify opportunities for outreach and recruitment and coordinate application process and review.
• Facilitate program sessions, including logistics for participants, volunteers, and guest speakers.
• Support launch of REDi alumni program, including biannual or quarterly gatherings under the leadership of volunteer co-chairs and ongoing cultivation and connection with REDi graduates as their careers progress.
• Support grant applications and additional fundraising to support REDi and related programs.
• Identify further opportunities to expand and enrich the REDi curriculum and community and bring to the Executive Director and Management Committee as they emerge.

Programming support

• Partner with Executive Director and volunteer team in developing annual calendar of open-access programming, including identifying annual priority theme.
• Support volunteer team in outreach and logistics for one or two open-access events per quarter (mix of in-person and virtual programming anticipated).
• Assist the Executive Director in supporting the activities and initiatives of the district council’s advisory board.
• Assist the Executive Director and the ULI Minnesota team with programs, event planning, and logistics.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience in or exposure to real estate and land use, particularly real estate development, will be a significant advantage. The Director should also be a skilled project manager, able to develop and track a budget and project deliverables. High emotional intelligence and/or people skills, including a history of relationships with senior leaders in the public and private sectors. Demonstrated evidence of cultural competency (including awareness of your own worldview and an appreciation of others’) and an understanding of various dimensions of diversity (including gender, race, and ethnicity) and their impact in real estate and land use systems. Additional advantage if candidate has experience working across cultures and/or with anti-racism work.

• 7-10 years of professional experience, including project management and client or team leadership skills. No advanced degree (including undergraduate) required, but relevant degrees (urban planning, real estate development, or public policy) can substitute for years of experience. Prior work experience in the field will be given priority.
• Professional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills to work with senior business and public-sector executives, both with ULI members and externally, as demonstrated in a client-facing or member-facing position.
• Strong people management skills, including upward management and coalition building.
• Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and completely.
• Ability to multitask and work calmly under pressure; detail oriented.
• Excellent facilitation skills, ideally in both in-person and virtual settings.
• Knowledge of the private real estate industry and public-sector community development; benefit to working knowledge of the Greater Minneapolis–Saint Paul real estate community.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion and demonstrated ability to work with diverse communities.
• Attention to detail and willingness to fully manage program logistics.
• Experience in professional development fields, including educational programming, a plus.
• Local travel in region to events will be required; one or two domestic trips a year for conferences/professional development.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

To apply, please follow the link below. Please submit a résumé and letter of interest.

ULI 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, or veteran status.

https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=76dd43dd-5757-401e-9ef5-65813f73b552&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=426608&source=CC2&lang=en_US

EOE/m/f/d/v. No relocation reimbursement is offered at this time.