Director of Real Estate Development, Construction & Facilities

General Description:

The Director of Real Estate Development, Construction & Facilities will spearhead the rapid expansion of our cannabis operations, managing the identification, acquisition, and development of new retail and cultivation locations. This role involves overseeing all aspects of the real estate and construction lifecycle, including site selection, negotiation, construction management, and regulatory compliance with local and state officials. The Director also manages facilities maintenance across 8 existing locations currently in Iowa, Washington State and Oregon, ensuring all facilities meet the company's high standards of quality and operational efficiency. This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Essential Functions:

Strategic Planning

• Develop, collaborate with executive leadership, and execute on a comprehensive real estate strategy to support the company's expansion plans
• Research and collaborate with executive leadership to identify key markets and stakeholders to prioritize locations for growth
• Communicate with executive leadership on timelines, deliverables, risks, and solutions to mitigate delays in project schedule
  
  

Site Selection & Acquisition

• Identify and evaluate potential real estate opportunities, securing favorable lease or purchase terms
• Conduct due diligence including environmental assessments and regulatory zoning compliance
• Work with internal and external legal counsel on zoning related matters as they arise
  
  

Zoning & Regulatory Compliance

• Coordinate with zoning boards, planning departments and state regulators to obtain necessary permits and approvals
• Ensure compliance with all relevant local, state and federal regulations
  
  

Project Management & Construction

• Oversee planning, budgeting, and execution of new store construction and remodels
• Manage external vendors, including architects, contractors and subcontractors
• Ensure all projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with building and safety regulations
  
  

Facilities Management

• Oversee the maintenance of existing locations, ensuring all building systems are functional and compliant
• Manage a facilities ticketing system to address repairs and maintenance promptly
• Coordinate with contractors to address warranty issues post construction
  
  

Financial Oversight

• Develop and manage budgets for real estate and construction projects
• Review projects thoroughly to estimate costs and schedule deliverables
• Communicate financial progress reports regularly to executive leadership
• Manage invoicing process to ensure work has been completed according to expectations and is approved for timely payment
  
  

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and mentor a team of administrative professionals
• Work cross functionally with internal and external stakeholders to align real estate strategies with broader company goals
  
  

Vendor Management

• Establish and maintain relationships with key vendors to ensure quality and cost effectiveness
• Participate in the bidding process for new contractors to identify top partners
• Manage all vendors closely to ensure the most cost effective means to complete repairs/maintenance
  
  

Working Conditions:

• Job duties may include work indoors and outdoors during all seasons, 365 days/year.
• Employees may be exposed to difficult or stressful vendor, customer, or employee situations requiring patience and professionalism to effectively handle.
• Work duties may require sedentary activities, active standing, stooping and/or kneeling.
  
  

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds
• Must be able to sit and/or stand at workstation for up to eight hours per day
• Must be able to proficiently operate computers, tablets and other productivity machinery and technology
• Must be able to reliably arrive at work on time for scheduled shifts
• Must be able to type at least 40 words per minute
• Must be able to move about the corporate offices, as needed, to perform required functions
• Must be able to remain in a designated work area for up to eight hours per day with the exception of breaks as required by law
• Must be able to effectively communicate information and ideas so customers, vendors and coworkers will understand. Must be able to convey and exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Must be able to continue to assist vendors and coworkers during and after stressful situations
• Must be able to accurately observe details at close range in order to recognize, identify, detect, determine and assess objects
• Must be able to effectively communicate information displayed on digital screens
• Must be able to perform other job duties as assigned
• Must have the ability to work onsite at corporate Iowa City location
• Must have the ability to work 40 hours per week
• Must be able to perform other job duties as assigned.
  
  

Job Requirements:

• 3 plus years of Development, Construction and Facilities Management Experience, preferably in a high-growth or fast-paced environment with multiple site responsibility.
• Bachelor's degree strongly preferred.
• Experience in vetting contractor proposals/scopes of work.
• Experience leading the full project management lifecycle in construction and remodels.
• Experience with budget responsibility supporting construction projects and facility maintenance.
• Strong problem solving, negotiating, and critical judgment skills.
• Strong business acumen including vendor management, attention to detail, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A high level of integrity, personal motivation, adaptability, and sense of urgency.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and managing sensitive information.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage several projects at once and meet tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in project management software and with standard business software (e.g., Google and Microsoft Office Suites).
• Comfortable working around cannabis and in a highly controlled environment with the ability to translate technical information into engaging content.
• Required to adhere to and uphold all regulatory mandates for employment in the cannabis industry.
• Up to 25% annual travel expectations.
• Successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
• Minimum 21 years of age.
• Ability to organize and prioritize necessary tasks in order to accomplish goals.
  
  

Benefits and Compensation:

• Pay starts at $100,000 - $130,000 annually commensurate with experience
• Employee discount includes 50% for Iowa medical cannabis card holders
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering in-person, telephonic, texting and video counseling for help with stress, anxiety, depression, family issues, and more.
• Paid Sick Leave (PSL) and Personal Time Off (PTO).
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Paid float holiday for the following: New Years Day, 4/20, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Iowa Cannabis Company is an equal opportunity employer that believes in promoting a diverse workplace and creating a working environment in which all employees are provided with equal employment opportunities. The company will not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any term or condition of employment based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other protected class or characteristic established under applicable federal, state or local statute or ordinance.

On May 12, 2017, Governor Terry Branstad signed House File 524 into law, allowing use of medical cannabidiol to treat certain debilitating medical conditions. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health: "The Act provides that a person recommend, possess, use, dispense, deliver, transport, or administer cannabidiol if the recommendation, possession, use, dispensing, delivery, transporting, or administering is in accordance with chapter 124E of the Iowa Code." This law also allows patients and designated primary caregivers to possess cannabidiol and requires the recommendation of a board certified physician.