Director, Real Estate

Salary: $115,398.40 - $135,761.60

Location: 33 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43215

Benefits:

• Medical, Vision, Dental, Supplemental and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Discounts
• COTA Bus Pass
• Wellness Initiatives
• On-Site Chair Massage
• On-Site Health Coach
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Public Pension through OPERS & Ohio Deferred Compensation

Position Summary:

COTA's Director of Real Estate is responsible for managing real estate acquisition. This position ensures that all land and property acquisition activities for LinkUS corridors comply with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations. The Director will conceptualize, manage, and implement COTA policies for real estate acquisition, disposal, and joint development projects while bridging federal compliance requirements and corridor planning/design/construction needs.

Perform other duties in alignment with the COTA Strategic Plan and in support of the organization's vision to Move Every Life Forward.

Essential Job Functions:

• Oversee and lead all Real Estate management activities by evaluating, formulating, coordinating, implementing, and/or negotiating all COTA and transit-oriented real estate transactions; ensures all acquisitions, easements, leases, and relocations comply with 49 CFR Part 24 and FTA Circular 5010.1E
• Manage real estate acquisition contracts, such as broker/realtor contract, PSA Terms, appraisals, due diligence, transfers, and closings, leveraging guidance from COTA's Finance and Legal divisions;
• Develop and direct the negotiation and implementation of real estate development assignments such as agreements, contracts, systems, and/or processes with assigned entities;
• Coordinate with design, engineering, planning, and right-of-way teams on real estate development plans to integrate property needs into corridor designs and new projects;
• Collaborate with stakeholders and municipalities, including developers, government agencies, and investors, to oversee the development process, ensuring real estate projects align with organizational goals;
• Maintain detailed acquisition records (appraisals, property descriptions, rights acquired, correspondence, and payments) and manage schedules and milestone tracking from appraisals to transfers of all real estate activities;
• Works collaboratively with COTA personnel and external stakeholders to strategize COTA's transactions to acquire, manage, and dispose of real estate associated with COTA projects;
• Coordinate with the FTA regional office to submit transmittals and secure real estate concurrence notices, while engaging landowners, tenants, displaced persons, and community groups to facilitate relocation assistance and ensure transparent communication.
• Oversee contracts regarding feasibility, site constraints, and research of transit-oriented development projects; identify right-of-way risks-delays, cost escalation, environmental or title issues-and implement mitigation strategies where applicable;
• Monitor and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations related to transit-oriented development;
• Partners with Legal and other relevant teams to develop and maintain real estate policies compliant with state and federal regulations, including but not limited to Joint Use Development, Equity Transit Oriented Development, and Acquisition and Disposition policies; and
• Consults with and/or presents updates to FTA, LinkUS Program Leadership, COTA Board of Trustees, City of Columbus, staff, community groups and members of the public regarding real estate projects and acquisition status.
• Maintains the accuracy and integrity of the Real Estate Assets data in applicable software in coordination with COTA's Infrastructure, Engineering, and Maintenance Division and Legal Division;
• Prepares required documentation and checklists: acquisition, relocation, due diligence, environmental, and Uniform Act compliance;

Minimum Education & Experience Required:

• Requires a bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Urban Planning, Public Administration or Law with seven (7) years' experience managing real estate for federally funded infrastructures (e.g. transit, highway projects). Demonstrated experience or familiarity with 49 CFR Part 24 and FTA Circulars desired. An equivalent combination of education and experience in real estate, business, or finance will also be considered.
• Experience in corridor initiatives, transit-oriented development, or transit capital programs preferred.

COTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on job needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.