Davidson Transit Organization
Manger of Real Estate and Growth Development
Davidson Transit Organization, Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37247
Position Summary
WeGo Public Transit is seeking a forward-thinking Manager of Real Estate & Asset Development to lead the agency's growing portfolio of real estate assets, public-private partnerships, and transit-oriented development (TOD) initiatives. This strategic leadership role is responsible for actively managing real property interests, structuring value-capture and revenue-generating agreements, and delivering real estate projects that support WeGo's mission, enhance system sustainability, and create opportunity-rich communities.
Building on capacity established through the Build America Bureau's Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program, this position is designed as a permanent, elevated role within WeGo's leadership team. The successful candidate will bring both technical and strategic expertise in public-sector real estate, asset stewardship, and urban development to help shape the future of WeGo's infrastructure and its integration with community and economic development.
Key Responsibilities
Real Estate Asset Management Lead development and execution of a long-range real estate asset management strategy aligned with agency goals, capital plans, and community priorities. Maintain a comprehensive inventory of owned and controlled assets, including active leases, surplus property, easements, and development rights. Develop systems for asset performance tracking, valuation, forecasting, and reporting. Project Development & Transactions
Oversee all phases of TOD and joint development project lifecycle, including market studies, solicitation development, developer selection, negotiation, entitlement, and execution. Serve as primary WeGo negotiator for ground leases, air rights transactions, property sales, and public-private partnerships related to agency-controlled real estate. Coordinate with legal, finance, procurement, planning, and operations teams to structure deals that optimize financial return and public benefit. Innovative Finance & Revenue Generation
Advance innovative real estate strategies such as land value capture, concession agreements, and infrastructure financing tied to TOD. Monitor performance of revenue-generating assets and recommend portfolio improvements to maximize long-term value and reinvestment potential. Support integration of real estate strategies into capital improvement planning and long-range financial modeling. Interagency & External Collaboration
Represent WeGo in real estate-related discussions with Metro Nashville departments, peer agencies, private developers, and community partners. Work with Metro Planning, Economic Development, Housing, and Property Services to align transit and development goals across jurisdictions. Engage with community stakeholders, elected officials, and institutional partners on asset development projects and site plans. Policy & Regulatory Compliance
Ensure real estate activities are fully compliant with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidance, including Circular 5010.1E and joint development policy. Prepare internal and Board materials to support property actions, solicitations, and capital project coordination. Lead regulatory reporting and audit response related to asset management and development agreements. Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in real estate, finance, urban planning, public administration, or a related field (Master's preferred). Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in real estate asset management, public-sector real estate development, P3 structuring, or TOD planning and execution. Demonstrated experience managing complex real estate negotiations and partnerships, preferably in a transit or municipal environment. Skills and Competencies
Deep understanding of real estate economics, market analysis, and project finance. Strong negotiation and transaction management skills, with a record of delivering successful public-private development projects. Working knowledge of federal transit property disposition and joint development policies (FTA Circular 5010.1E, MAP-21/FAST Act guidance). Ability to manage interdepartmental and multi-agency coordination across legal, procurement, finance, and planning functions. Commitment to equity, sustainability, and community-centered development practices. Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills; ability to prepare briefings for executive and Board audiences. Preferred Qualifications
Experience with local government land use and zoning policy, affordable housing policy, and value capture mechanisms. Experience managing or overseeing consultant teams and real estate advisors. Reporting Relationship
Reports to Deputy CEO for Growth & Development
WeGo Public Transit is seeking a forward-thinking Manager of Real Estate & Asset Development to lead the agency's growing portfolio of real estate assets, public-private partnerships, and transit-oriented development (TOD) initiatives. This strategic leadership role is responsible for actively managing real property interests, structuring value-capture and revenue-generating agreements, and delivering real estate projects that support WeGo's mission, enhance system sustainability, and create opportunity-rich communities.
Building on capacity established through the Build America Bureau's Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program, this position is designed as a permanent, elevated role within WeGo's leadership team. The successful candidate will bring both technical and strategic expertise in public-sector real estate, asset stewardship, and urban development to help shape the future of WeGo's infrastructure and its integration with community and economic development.
Key Responsibilities
Real Estate Asset Management Lead development and execution of a long-range real estate asset management strategy aligned with agency goals, capital plans, and community priorities. Maintain a comprehensive inventory of owned and controlled assets, including active leases, surplus property, easements, and development rights. Develop systems for asset performance tracking, valuation, forecasting, and reporting. Project Development & Transactions
Oversee all phases of TOD and joint development project lifecycle, including market studies, solicitation development, developer selection, negotiation, entitlement, and execution. Serve as primary WeGo negotiator for ground leases, air rights transactions, property sales, and public-private partnerships related to agency-controlled real estate. Coordinate with legal, finance, procurement, planning, and operations teams to structure deals that optimize financial return and public benefit. Innovative Finance & Revenue Generation
Advance innovative real estate strategies such as land value capture, concession agreements, and infrastructure financing tied to TOD. Monitor performance of revenue-generating assets and recommend portfolio improvements to maximize long-term value and reinvestment potential. Support integration of real estate strategies into capital improvement planning and long-range financial modeling. Interagency & External Collaboration
Represent WeGo in real estate-related discussions with Metro Nashville departments, peer agencies, private developers, and community partners. Work with Metro Planning, Economic Development, Housing, and Property Services to align transit and development goals across jurisdictions. Engage with community stakeholders, elected officials, and institutional partners on asset development projects and site plans. Policy & Regulatory Compliance
Ensure real estate activities are fully compliant with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidance, including Circular 5010.1E and joint development policy. Prepare internal and Board materials to support property actions, solicitations, and capital project coordination. Lead regulatory reporting and audit response related to asset management and development agreements. Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in real estate, finance, urban planning, public administration, or a related field (Master's preferred). Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in real estate asset management, public-sector real estate development, P3 structuring, or TOD planning and execution. Demonstrated experience managing complex real estate negotiations and partnerships, preferably in a transit or municipal environment. Skills and Competencies
Deep understanding of real estate economics, market analysis, and project finance. Strong negotiation and transaction management skills, with a record of delivering successful public-private development projects. Working knowledge of federal transit property disposition and joint development policies (FTA Circular 5010.1E, MAP-21/FAST Act guidance). Ability to manage interdepartmental and multi-agency coordination across legal, procurement, finance, and planning functions. Commitment to equity, sustainability, and community-centered development practices. Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills; ability to prepare briefings for executive and Board audiences. Preferred Qualifications
Experience with local government land use and zoning policy, affordable housing policy, and value capture mechanisms. Experience managing or overseeing consultant teams and real estate advisors. Reporting Relationship
Reports to Deputy CEO for Growth & Development