Real Estate Development Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Real Estate Development Project Manager ? Historic Building 

Location: Detroit, MI ? Type: Full-time ? Reports to: Principal / Developer

About the Project

Lead the end-to-end redevelopment of a historic 1909 masonry building(s) into a -key boutique hotel in Detroit?s urban core. This role oversees a total rehabilitation with historic district approvals, Brownfield incentives, and a complex capital stack (Opportunity Zone, Brownfield TIF, conventional debt). You will manage entitlements, design, construction, operator selection, and financing through delivery.

Core Responsibilities

• Entitlements & Approvals: Drive City of Detroit approvals (zoning, BSEED, Historic District Commission) and building permits; coordinate hearing schedules and submittals.
• Brownfield & State Coordination: Oversee the Brownfield Plan for the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (DBRA) with Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) staff support; develop and route EGLE/MSF Work Plans for Act 381 TIF (environmental and non-environmental eligible activities).
• Environmental Due Diligence: Oversee Phase I/II ESA, Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA), and Due Care documentation; manage remediation, response activities, and compliance reporting.
• Financing & Closing: Support capital stack assembly (senior debt, OZ equity, Brownfield TIF, grants); manage lender due diligence, third-party reports, and monthly draws.
• Design Management: Direct A/E teams through concept  DD CD; ensure compliance with the Secretary of the Interior?s Standards and city historic guidelines; lead value engineering while protecting scope.
• Operator Procurement: Lead the RFP and selection process for the hotel operator; integrate operating standards and pre-opening requirements into design and schedule.
• Construction Oversight: Lead GC/CM selection and AIA contract negotiation; chair OAC meetings; track schedule, submittals, RFIs, COs, QA/QC, commissioning, and safety.
• Budget, Schedule, Reporting: Maintain integrated master schedule, cost report, contingency log, and risk register; deliver clear executive and lender dashboards.
• Turnover & Closeout: Coordinate TCO/C.O., punchlist, warranties, O&M manuals, training, and stabilization handoff.