Owner's Representative

Description

Title: Owner’s Representative (Missouri)

Employee Status: Full Time - Exempt

Salary: Grade: 4

Starts at $70,600 | St. Louis

Reports to: Managing Director of Real Estate Solutions – Southern Region

Department: Real Estate Solutions (RES)

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri

Hybrid Remote: In office: T/W | Remote: M/Th/F

Department Function: The Real Estate Solutions Department provides a wide range of real estate consulting and development services to help assist nonprofits with the planning, design, and construction of facilities, including project financial feasibility, facility condition assessment, site search and due diligence for property development, and owner’s representative services both internally and externally. RES collaborates with broader IFF cross-function, programmatic efforts to build nonprofit capacity in targeted sectors and mission-related initiatives.

The Organization

IFF is a mission-driven lender, real estate consultant, and developer that helps communities thrive. Key to our success has been a deep sense of purpose, a broad perspective, and a relentless focus on achieving positive results. Across the Midwest we help clients from every sector, including human service agencies, health centers, schools, affordable housing developers, and healthy food grocery operators. Staff contribute extensive business experience and an unrivaled connection to the mission of IFF to the clients we serve.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Partnering to create thriving communities is at the heart of everything we do.  We leverage knowledge, capital, and resources to advance equitable and transformational outcomes in under-resourced communities, guided by our commitment to be an inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive institution that honors communities as asset-rich and as experts in their own stories.

Basic Job Function

Based in the Saint Louis, Missouri office, the Owner’s Representative (OR) manages facility design and construction phases on behalf of our nonprofit clients for their renovation and new construction projects.  work associated with the construction and building analysis of RES projects.  The Owner’s Representative participates in projects led by other RES staff, as well as directly coordinates and manages several small- to large-sized projects and Project Teams simultaneously under the supervision of the Director of Real Estate Solutions, and in close connection with the Director of Consulting for Design and Construction.

This includes conducting site visits and analyses on potential buildings for clients, conducting facilities assessments and providing analyses of facilities, taking a lead role in managing the design process on construction projects, managing all aspects of construction projects, project accounting and reporting, and managing client relationships during the construction phase of projects.  The Owner’s Representative works on many real estate projects simultaneously, participates in departmental planning meetings for projects, is an active Project Team Member on projects, and supports the work of the Senior Vice President and other RES staff as necessary to further IFF’s mission in the Southern Region market.  This includes an active role in Business Development for IFF and the Real Estate Solutions Department.

IFF is looking for candidates with a commitment to the work we do who can demonstrate their creativity, diligence, enthusiasm, growth-mindset, thoughtfulness, and passion to make meaningful change in the areas of economic and racial justice.

Requirements

Core Responsibilities: 

1. Conducts site visits of buildings for potential lease or purchase by clients, assesses buildings and their systems for suitability for client’s intended purpose, and provides analyses of such buildings for Project Team Leaders. 

2. Conducts facilities assessments of clients’ existing facilities according to the policies and procedures of the RES Department, assesses facilities’ major systems, layout, structure and suitability for program purposes, analyzes data collected through facilities assessments, and provides written and visual recommendations for modifications or improvements to Project Team Leaders.  

3. Coordinates services of architects and engineers and other professionals in connection with the design phase of projects.  Ensures that such professionals are providing services according to the project criteria set, and the project schedule and budget. 

4. During the construction phase of assigned RES projects, coordinates all aspects of construction management ensuring that project goals and milestones are being met. 

• Solicits bids from and secures various real estate professionals and vendors for work on projects.  Evaluates and makes recommendations on bids and negotiates terms of works and approves hiring of vendors.  
• Coordinates pre-construction work associated with projects including securing construction estimates and any other work necessitated by the project.
• Oversees securing permits for construction projects including meeting with government officials and addressing problems that arise to ensure permit is secured according to schedule.
• Assists with the negotiation of construction contracts and architectural contracts for construction projects.
• Reviews architectural plans, construction drawings and performance specifications for accuracy; identifies areas for costs savings and works with architects to produce plans that meet clients’ budgets.
• Manages relationships with contractor and architect during construction, attends construction meetings, reviews and keeps track of shop drawing submittals, reviews and approves change orders, and works toward resolving construction-related disputes that arise.
• Manages and tracks all construction-related accounting (including construction escrows) to ensure that project stays within budget. 
• Assesses the status of projects against their plan and schedule, identifies actual or potential problems, and facilitates and guides solutions to ensure that the projects are completed as planned.
• Keeps Managing Director, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Solutions or Project Team Leader apprised of progress through regular updates or meetings and including them on important correspondence related to the project.

5. Assist Senior Project Manager to prepare development scenarios and cost estimates for clients.

6. Assists other Project Team Leaders as a Project Team Member in a supporting capacity and carries out duties as assigned by the Project Team Leader.  

7. Assists Owner’s Representative Team Manager, Managing Directors and Senior Vice President of Real Estate Solutions with the development and improvement of systems and procedures for project and team management within RES.  

8. Makes presentations to and facilitates meetings with clients, represents IFF Real Estate Solutions at meetings, presentations and events, when requested by the Managing Director of RES and prepares written materials on projects for other IFF departments as needed. 

9. Manages construction or repair work associated with the IFF’s asset management portfolio as necessary, including visiting sites, assessing facilities, hiring vendors, and working on specific projects that arise related to IFF-owned buildings.  

10. Participates in department knowledge sharing and training efforts by making presentations, conducting research, and assisting in technical committees in support of department performance goals.

11. Advise clients, architects, and contractors on equitable procurement procedures in support of the economic and racial justice goals of the clients and IFF.

12. Maintains required job knowledge and skills and core professional competencies.  Attends and participates in required educational programs and staff meetings. 

13. Assist in generating additional business for the department and performs other duties as assigned.

14. Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Promotes an environment of empathy and respect, ensures the inclusion of all team members, and will actively engage in EDI events and learning opportunities.

15. Perform other projects as assigned.

Performance Measures:

1. Successful completion of assigned projects according to goals set for each project, the project budget and schedule, and the RES department’s policies and procedures. Completed projects meet quality standards.

2. Demonstrated ability serving as clients’ advisor, including high level of client satisfaction with respect to services provided, client goals accomplished, and reports produced.

3. Achieve and maintain the highest quality of work product and level of excellence for both internal and external clients within time and budget constraints.

4. Internal and external meetings are facilitated in an organized way and are meaningful to the participants. Outcomes of these meetings are analyzed and well presented.

5. Continually seek to achieve efficiency and other improvements in all operations.

6. Achieve and maintain a superior level of satisfaction and working relationship with all internal and external clients, partners and team members in the development and execution of contract and project efforts.

7. Written reports are complete, accurate and clear and follow policies and procedures.

8. Oral presentations are clear, well organized, comprehensive and persuasive. Appropriate supporting material and visual aids are well utilized and enhance the presentation.

9. Cultivates a culture of openness in information sharing. Encourages open communication, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge.

10. Models personal accountability that promotes ownership and engagement.

11. Builds and maintains effective working relationships with colleagues, peers and team members.

12. Values and supports differences in others, contributing to an inclusive work environment. Demonstrates the ability and willingness to communicate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to create a collaborative, collegial, and caring community.

13. High level of satisfaction with both internal colleagues and external contacts.

Position Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in architecture, engineering, construction management or similar. Advanced degree in real estate, architecture, construction management, or engineering preferred.

Previous Experience:  At least two years’ experience in architecture, engineering, construction management, facilities management, or real estate development required.

Additional Requirements:  Minimal regional travel is required. The Owner’s Representative may be required to work throughout Missouri, Kansas, and southern Illinois (Southern Region) and travel to any of the IFF Real Estate Solutions 8 offices to support the Real Estate Solutions staff working in those markets. The Owner’s Representative will visit abandoned buildings and vacant lots and inspect them fully, and inspect construction project sites.  Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

IFF does not offer the following:

• relocation package
• 100% remote 
• provide sponsorship to applicants who require or will require a work permit.

Check off only some boxes in the requirements listed above. Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification. So, if you're excited about this role, we encourage you to apply. 

Application Instructions: Please visit the Careers section of our website to apply online.  A resume is required, a cover letter is appreciated.

IFF values equity, diversity, and inclusion as part of its mission to strengthen nonprofits and the communities they serve.  IFF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.