Director of Real Estate Economics

STV is actively seeking a highly experienced Lead/Director Real Estate Economist to join our Infrastructure and Grants Advisory team

STV’s Infrastructure Economics group is a multidisciplinary team with staff across the U.S. We work closely with engineering, architectural and planning disciplines to conduct applied economic analyses that support project development, policy, and investment decision-making. The successful candidate will serve as both a technical expert and mentor, leading business development and program management efforts, guiding complex assignments, managing teams, and engaging directly with clients. 

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to: 

• Lead complex real estate and economic development projects, including market analysis, highest and best use analysis, fiscal impact modeling, comparative scenario modeling, land use alternatives, economic impact analysis, and pro forma development modeling and sensitivity analysis.

• Manage multidisciplinary teams delivering land use, real estate, and infrastructure strategies

• Advise clients on development feasibility, zoning, regulatory frameworks, and policy considerations

• Conduct and oversee financial analysis including pro forma modeling and investment strategy evaluation

• Lead market research, demand analysis, and business case development for transit-oriented development and infrastructure projects

• Develop public private partnership strategies and innovative funding approaches for real estate and infrastructure investments

• Prepare and present high quality reports, presentations, and executive briefings to senior stakeholders and clients

• Lead complex economic projects, including benefit-cost analyses, socioeconomic assessments, traffic and revenue forecasts, policy and technology evaluations

• Support and lead business development efforts, including proposal writing and client engagement

• Mentor and develop junior staff while fostering collaboration within interdisciplinary teams

• Represent STV through thought leadership, industry engagement, and client advisory activities

Minimum Requirements 

• Master’s degree in economics, statistics, business, urban planning, real estate development, or a related field. 

• 15–20 years of professional experience in in real estate economics, land use planning, economic development, or related consulting fields. 

• Demonstrated experience managing complex real estate or economic development projects and leading multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong client facing experience and ability to advise senior decision makers.

• Advanced analytical skills, including financial modeling, market analysis, impact fee studies, and economic impact evaluation.

• Ability to translate technical findings into clear, decision-oriented narratives and board-ready deliverables.

• Advanced spreadsheet and data management skills (MS Excel); strong command of MS Office (Word, PowerPoint). 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of client ready deliverables.

• Proven leadership, team management, and mentoring capability.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Expertise in transit-oriented development, joint development, or infrastructure related real estate strategy.

• Familiarity with development feasibility, revenue streams, infrastructure cost allocation, and marginal cost approaches.

• Experience with public private partnerships and large scale development programs.

• Knowledge of public financing tools, local government budgeting and fiscal structures, zoning, land use entitlement processes, and regulatory environments.

• Experience developing financial models and evaluating investment feasibility for complex projects.

• Familiarity with grant funded infrastructure programs and alignment of development strategy with funding opportunities.

• Experience developing benefit-cost analysis models and micro-econometric studies with large datasets. 

• Demonstrated business development experience, including proposal preparation and client relationship management.

• Professional recognition through publications, presentations, or leadership in industry organizations.

Compensation Range:

STV offers the following benefits • Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account • Dental insurance • Vision insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) • Disability insurance • Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment • 401(k) Plan • Retirement Counseling • Employee Assistance Program • Paid Time Off • Paid Holidays • Back-Up Dependent Care • Parental Leave • Continuing Education Program • Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV’s work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.