VP, Development

Mary Jenkins

Date Posted: October 1, 2024

Application Deadline: October 15, 2024

Location: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia or Halifax, Nova Scotia or Mississauga, Ontario

Employment Type: Permanent

Job Type: Hybrid

 

Headquartered in New Glasgow, NS, Crombie is an integrity-driven, caring, and purpose-built organization. It’s why we’ve been voted one of Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers year after year. Here are a few more reasons why we all love where we work:

  • Flexible, hybrid work schedules and locations;
  • Funding assistance for professional dues and furthering education;
  • An on-site fitness facility, or subsidized fitness centre memberships;
  • Corporate discount rates;
  • Professional development programs to help you grow and succeed; and
  • A strong, diverse culture that promotes thought leadership and interdepartmental collaboration.

There’s no such thing as a perfect candidate. You don’t need 100% of the listed qualifications to add incredible value to our team. If you feel energized thinking about what you could accomplish here, we would love to hear from you.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Crombie values diversity, and is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and collaborative culture that is free of barriers, increases equity, and drives stronger business results. We encourage and invite candidates to self-identify on your resume if you are a member from one of the following groups: Members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, women, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. If you require accommodation during any stage of our recruitment process, please let us know how we can assist you by contacting us at talent@crombie.ca.

Who we are

As one of Canada’s leading REITs, we build spaces that will shape communities and have a lasting impact for generations. Supported by a solid foundation and focused value creation, Crombie is positioned to deliver consistent results and generate long-term sustainable growth.

You’ll join a team of values-driven, caring colleagues. We collaborate, find solutions, and cheer each other on. Our winning culture is rooted in our values: outperform expectations, embody integrity, care passionately, deliver excellence together, and empower one another.

We care for our employees, we support flexible work, compensate with great benefits, and work with you to help meet your career goals. Learn more about us at crombie.ca.

Position Summary

The VP, Development is a pivotal leadership role, driving Crombie’s national development strategy and executing key initiatives for growth and key measures of success, identifying, delivering, and leading development activities and ensuring Crombie is a recognized, trusted, and high-performance brand and partner. Through visionary leadership and strategic foresight, this role oversees the development function, as well as day-to-day execution of all development activities including land use intensification (LUI) opportunities, partnerships, redevelopments, and major developments. Additionally, the VP, Development:

  • Works collaboratively with all key stakeholder groups, including Executive and Senior Leadership teams to understand strategic objectives, and align development initiatives with Crombie’s value creation strategy.
  • Develops and executes a national development strategy, including setting annual development goals in collaboration with the EVP, Development & Construction, providing the vision, leadership, and strategic direction to the Development team across Canada.
  • Oversees the execution of national development and redevelopment projects, from initial due diligence and site acquisition through stabilized occupancy. Manages and actions all phases, including due diligence, entitlements, community engagement, and monitors the overall health and performance of the development pipeline.
  • Identifies development opportunities (LUIs, redevelopments, partnerships with Empire/Sobeys, etc.) and presents recommendations. Continuously enhances Crombie’s asset portfolio by researching, analyzing, and optimizing these opportunities.
  • Communicates effectively at all levels to gain support, determine feasibility, analyze, and secure approval for project decisions.
  • Builds and optimizes relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, community members, tenants, investors, Empire, and other key partners, as the primary point of contact. Collaborates effectively with Executive and Senior Leadership teams to drive project success.
  • Analyzes and directs financial and business data in collaboration with Finance and Analytics to build project proformas to inform decision making on all development components, in alignment with current market trends and estimated future market conditions. Monitors project costs and tracks performance against approved business plans and proforma.
  • Leads major development projects, ensuring successful execution of partnership agreements, municipal approvals, construction schedules, and tenant negotiations. Facilitates Sobeys expansion opportunities and LUI efforts with Empire.
  • Identifies obstacles and taking ownership to initiate steps to resolve where possible (i.e., municipal approvals, timing, chance of success, and tenant approvals – no builds, use restrictions). Monitors costs and tracks performance against proformas.
  • Works collaboratively with the acquisitions and dispositions team to finalize dispositions and acquisitions, ensuring all aspects of due diligence are addressed.
  • Leads consultant selection, in collaboration with the pre-construction team members to ensure a coordinated design process, by insuring a smooth transition between the development and construction phases of the project. Monitors and reports on the overall project cost controls to ensure project success.
  • Prepares quarterly and ad hoc reports, proposals, presentations, and other materials for the Executive Committee, Leadership Committee and Board meetings. Provides strategic insights on tenant relocations, financial feasibility, and occupancy matters.
  • Continually assesses competitive and market dynamics to evaluate potential changes to strategic and tactical plans. Monitors legislative policy changes and assesses impact to approved projects or future development opportunities.
  • Maintains a data base of development charges and levies for each project.
  • People leadership:
  • Ensures all team members have a clear understanding of corporate and departmental objectives and are held accountable to meet performance standards and objectives.
  • Leads a team that is strategically aligned with and understands the organization’s strategy, is engaged, and represents Crombie guiding values.
  • Engages across all levels of the organization to create and promote a safe and respectful work environment.
  • Other special projects and tasks as assigned.

The profile we are looking for

Our ideal candidate has:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Real Estate, or a related field. Master’s degree in a related field is considered an asset.
  • At least ten to fifteen (10-15) years experience in a real estate development, urban planning, or related field.
  • Proven track record of managing large-scale development projects from inception to completion.
  • Results-oriented, strategic thinker with a high level of integrity and adherence to ethical standards.
  • Leadership experience with the demonstrated ability to engage and align team members with organizational strategies and goals.
  • Strong experience working collaboratively with executive and senior leadership teams.
  • Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including colleagues, tenants, investors, and other partners.
  • Comprehensive understanding of all phases of the development process including planning, zoning, design, community engagement, and project management.
  • Experience in strategic positioning and value creation for assets, including land use intensification opportunities including the ability to continually assess market dynamic and adjust strategic and tactical plans accordingly.
  • Strong financial acumen with experience in analyzing financial and business data.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present reports, proposals, and presentations to executive committees, leadership committees, and boards.
  • Demonstrated experience in people leadership, ensuring team alignment and promoting a safe and respectful work environment.
  • Certifications in Project Management, Real Estate, or Urban Planning are strong assets.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume:

To:                         talent@crombie.ca
Subject:                VP, Development – Canada

Crombie offers competitive compensation packages tailored to each role. External salary estimate websites are not affiliated with us and are not monitored for accuracy. Specific compensation details will be discussed with selected candidates during the recruitment process. We look forward to reviewing your application.

Crombie thanks all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.