Senior Vice President- Development Finance

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Plante Moran Real Estate Investment Advisors (PMRIA), a nationally recognized real estate advisory practice that helps clients preserve, protect, and grow their real estate investments. We are seeking an experienced Incentives Real Estate Senior Vice President in Ohio to lead complex real estate development and economic development initiatives, helping clients unlock value through incentive programs, strategic development planning, and sophisticated transaction execution. In this leadership role, you will work with developers, corporate occupiers, investors, public sector organizations, and institutional clients to identify opportunities, secure incentives, perform due diligence, and guide projects from concept through implementation. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with business development skills and a passion for helping clients navigate complex development and financing challenges.

Responsibilities

Incentives & Economic Development

• Lead the identification, evaluation, and procurement of local, state, and federal incentive programs that support real estate development projects.
• Advise clients on tax credits, grants, abatements, brownfield programs, opportunity zones, public financing tools, and other economic development incentives.
• Coordinate with economic development agencies, municipalities, housing authorities, and public-sector stakeholders to advance project objectives.
• Develop and manage incentive application strategies and compliance requirements.

Real Estate Development Finance Advisory

• Serve as a trusted financial advisor to clients throughout the development lifecycle, from project conception through stabilization.
• Conduct feasibility analyses, highest-and-best-use studies, and development strategy assessments.
• Advise on project structuring, development risk, market positioning, and financial viability in alignment with client motivations and success benchmarks.
• Lead internal and external project teams including developers, attorneys, architects, engineers, contractors, lenders, and consultants.

Due Diligence & Financing Procurement

• Lead financing procurement and development due diligence efforts.
• Evaluate market, financial, entitlement, regulatory, and operational risks associated with investment opportunities.
• Oversee underwriting, financial modeling, and investment analysis to support strategic decision‑making.
• Support negotiations related to development agreements, public‑private partnerships, financing structures, and incentive packages.

Client Leadership & Business Development

• Build and maintain executive‑level client relationships while serving as a strategic advisor.
• Identify business development opportunities and contribute to revenue growth within the practice.
• Lead project teams, mentor staff, and oversee multiple client engagements simultaneously.
• Deliver presentations, facilitate stakeholder meetings, and represent the firm in industry organizations and community initiatives.
• Participate in proposal development, client pursuits, and thought leadership activities.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Finance, Economics, Urban Planning, Business Administration, Public Policy, or a related field required.

Master's degree (MBA, MRED, MUP, or similar) preferred.

Experience

• 12+ years of progressive experience in real estate development, economic development, real estate consulting, public finance, investment advisory, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience securing and structuring economic development incentives and public financing programs.
• Affordable housing experience is highly desired.
• Experience advising clients on complex real estate development and redevelopment projects.
• Proven track record managing large, multi‑stakeholder engagements and delivering successful project outcomes.
• Strong business development experience with a history of cultivating and expanding client relationships.
• Position is located in Cleveland, Ohio.
• Candidates must be within commuting distance for in office presence.
• Travel is required for this position (25%).

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of real estate development processes, incentive programs, and public‑private partnerships.
• Strong financial acumen, including underwriting, cash flow analysis, and financial modeling.
• Experience with due diligence, acquisitions, dispositions, and development feasibility analysis.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence executive and public‑sector stakeholders.
• Strong project management and leadership capabilities.
• Ability to navigate complex regulatory, political, and development environments.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and real estate financial analysis tools; ARGUS experience is a plus.

Benefits

• health
• dental
• vision
• disability
• life insurance
• Flexible Time Off
• pre‑determined holidays
• 401(k) plan
• flexible benefits plans
• business‑related travel expense
• lodging
• meal reimbursement for business‑related use
• A pension plan is also available for eligible administrative and paraprofessional staff.
• A discretionary bonus plan is available for eligible staff.

The compensation range for this role in CO, IL, OH, and MA is: $170,000.00 - $190,000.00 #LI-KN1

Why join us

What makes us different? On the surface, we’re one of the nation’s largest audit, tax, consulting, and wealth management firms. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll see what makes us different: we’re a relatively jerk‑free firm (hey, nobody 's perfect) with a world‑class culture, consistent recognition as one of Fortune Magazine’s "100 Best Companies to Work For," and an endless array of opportunities.

At Plante Moran, diversity, equity and inclusion means that all staff members have equitable and fair opportunities to succeed, in an inclusive environment, with their individual, unique identities. So,what are you waiting for?

Plante Moran enjoys a "Workplace for Your Day" model which, simply put, means we strive for flexibility and balance while staying true to our principally in‑person model. We believe that face‑to‑face interactions are paramount for individual and collective development, but also encourage individuals to work with their supervisor and team to determine their optimal working environment each day.

Plante Moran is committed to a diverse workplace.We strive to create a culture where each person feels accepted and valued. We believe that each person’s ultimate potential begins with first acknowledging their inherent dignity. When we can recognize — and celebrate — our many human differences, we’re able to create a workplace where all staff feel a sense of belonging and an opportunity to succeed. This allows us to attract and retain the best talent, serve clients through diverse thinking, and better represent and support the various communities in which we live and work.

Plante Moran is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Plante Moran maintains a drug‑free workplace.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship, with the exception of qualified candidates who are bilingual in either Japanese and English or Chinese and English.

Unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies, or similar, will not be paid a fee and become the property of Plante Moran.