*****Very interesting job opportunity for someone interested in the future of urban schools and real estate development*****

Been in an interesting conversation with Susan Cunningham (scunningham@edbuild.org) of EdBuild during the last 24 hours. She led construction and operations at the SEED School for about 7 years:

The SEED Foundation opened its first school, The SEED School of Washington, D.C., in 1998. The SEED School offers an intensive academic and boarding education to 320 urban children in grades seven through twelve. Every student at The SEED School is from the District of Columbia, but each individual represents a spectrum of personal experience. Overwhelmingly, SEED families want their children to have more and better opportunities than they did. Some students are pushed onward by strong families who are seeking out the best education for their children. Others find a refuge at SEED, a safe place for them to learn and live while their families overcome personal challenges. At SEED, all students find a network of family and community support that helps them to thrive academically and socially.

In any event, she just left SEED late this fall to start EdBuild, partially funded by NewSchools Venture Fund (a national grant-making organization that supports high quality public schools and school districts). EdBuild is working to create and sustain more high-performing schools in Washington D.C., working with DCPS to modernize school buildings quickly and to support improved instruction in the traditional and charter public schools housed in these buildings.

To that end, EdBuild is looking to hire a Vice President of Real Estate:

As a member of the management team, the founding VP of Real Estate will lead the development of the construction and maintenance business units, and will have responsibility for designing, implementing, evaluating and promoting all facility services provided to participating schools.

In addition, the VP of Real Estate will:

• Coordinate concept development, feasibility analysis, project selection, project management and long-term operation of all EdBuild facilities;
• Structure and negotiate long-term master leases and tenant leases;
• Develop and manage relationships with school leaders and community members, including collaborative design process;
• Research, select and manage third party construction, maintenance and operations partners to support schools with best in class services, including contract negotiation and performance management;
• Manage project level budgets and schedules for on-time, on-budget delivery;
• Build relationships with leading facility experts and maintain knowledge of facility innovations and best practices, including green design and operation;
• Manage EdBuild staff and help develop an organizational culture focused on executing with urgency and delivering high-quality results that lead to high levels academic achievement for students and serve as a key member of the EdBuild leadership team;
• Facilitate staff and Board relations to ensure that staff understands and implements Board decisions regarding real estate;
• Develop policies and procedures pertaining to real estate acquisition, leasing, and facilities management; develop and maintain to organize data, maintain an inventory of facilities portfolio, track the status of a projects and budgets and meet DC regulatory requirements; and
• Recommend and monitor proposed legislation related to school construction and related real estate matters.

Professional Qualifications:

• Experience directly managing major construction projects with strong track record mastering complex negotiations, managing multiple projects on-time, on-budget, and with high customer satisfaction;
• Experience leading collaborative design, build, commission and operating process that ensures stakeholder input and directly supports mission-related operations;
• Proven ability to build and sustain systems and staff to maintain high-quality facility operations;
• Strong understanding of construction finance and accounting;
• Demonstrated quantitative and qualitative analytical skills needed to assess the needs of schools and coordinate effective design;
• Extensive relationships with local and national experts, and strong record of developing and sustaining partnerships;
• Passion for high quality public education;
• Deep understanding of public buildings as community assets: commitment to exceptional stewardship and public trust; and

Management skills and personal qualities

• Proven coalition builder with success engaging diverse stakeholders;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Personal presence and skills necessary to effectively develop and sustain relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Ability to analyze and apply real estate laws, policies and trends to portfolio work;
• Ability to build useful network of support to enhance internal resources;
• Strategic thinker with proven ability to execute effectively against strategy;
• Ability to take initiative and own high priority projects; a “self-starter”;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and high tolerance for ambiguity;
• Effective and comfortable working in an entrepreneurial setting with limited support staff, where teamwork and resourcefulness are highly valued; and
• Proven ability to learn quickly and continuously.

Education:

Bachelors degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or related field with a minimum of 10 years hands-on managerial experience, including:
• Experience building strong relationships with key constituents;
• Experience successfully managing complex projects; and
• Experience working in an entrepreneurial, highly-visible, fast-paced, and results-oriented environment.

If you know of anyone interested, get in touch with Susan:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and one-page cover letter via e-mail to Susan Cunningham at scunningham@edbuild.org. No phone calls please.