Director for Planning & Real Estate

ABOUT US |   HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company advising public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities.     

We believe in creating vital places, building equitable and resilient communities, and improving people’s lives.    

From Brooklyn to London, Medellin to Hong Kong, we have guided hundreds of clients in transforming real estate and economic development concepts, and public infrastructure, first into actionable plans and then into job-producing, community-strengthening assets.    

Our clients include real estate owners and investors, hospitals and universities, cultural institutions and philanthropies, community development organizations, and governments.    

HR&A has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, Washington D.C. and the Bay Area. We come from diverse backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are former city officials, executive directors, planners, lawyers, architects, and economists.     

Learn more about careers at HR&A on our website here . 

ABOUT YOU | You are a strategic thinker with a passion for equitable urban development, housing affordability, and inclusive communities. You bring hands-on experience in land use planning, real estate, economic development, or public policy, and are excited to lead complex projects that shape the future of cities. You are a collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and is eager to mentor junior staff and contribute to the growth of the firm.

THE ROLE | HR&A is seeking to hire a Director for Planning and Real Estate in our New York office. Directors are experienced professionals who lead project teams, manage client relationships, and contribute to business development.

Day-to-day tasks vary by project and may include:

• Managing internal and external teams to deliver complex public investment, real estate, and economic development strategies

• Advising on land use principles and processes, zoning, and other regulatory considerations

• Leading market feasibility research, business planning, and fiscal and economic impact studies

• Designing public-private partnership strategies and public policy frameworks

• Conducting and reviewing pro forma analysis for a range of uses

• Reviewing and presenting client deliverables, including memos, reports, and presentations

• Supporting and leading business development efforts, including proposal writing and client outreach

• Mentoring junior staff and contributing to internal equity and inclusion initiatives

This position offers significant leadership opportunities and the chance to shape the future of cities through innovative, equity-centered solutions.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED | Successful candidates will bring strong quantitative and qualitative skills, a demonstrated capacity for leadership, and a deep curiosity about the challenges and opportunities facing cities today.

Qualifications include:

• 8-12 years of experience in land use planning, economic development, real estate, housing, public policy, or related consulting fields, preferably with at least 3 years in the public sector

• Substantial project management experience developing and steering land use economic development, real estate, or affordable housing projects and proposals

• Knowledge of New York City land use and economic development context, stakeholders, regulations, and approval processes, with interest to work beyond New York City and State

• Excellent writing and presentation skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and mentor junior staff

• Strong client management and communication skills

• Proficiency in common AI tools and understanding of limitations of AI tools

• Demonstrated interest in using emerging AI tools to accelerate data analysis, deliverable production and other specialized methodologies

• Master’s degree in city planning, economic development, real estate, public policy, business, or a related field preferred (additional experience may substitute for a graduate degree)

• A passion for community development, and inclusive urban growth

HYBRID WORK POLICY | HR&A fosters a collaborative and flexible work environment through our hybrid work policy. Employees work from the office at least three days a week, which allows individuals the freedom to balance their professional and personal lives while maintaining a strong connection to their teams.

COMPENSATION | The base salary range for this position is $131,600 - $153,779, plus the opportunity for a discretionary year-end bonus. Where an offer falls inside this pay range is dependent on experience.  We offer competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience. We are an employee-owned company, meaning you will have the opportunity to benefit from the firm’s growth over time through participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Each year, the firm will contribute funds to this long-term wealth-building account and may make contributions to other retirement accounts. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package that goes well beyond coverage of 90-95% of healthcare premiums, including dental and vision coverage. 

HOW TO APPLY | HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, competitive team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply, click here . Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single PDF document. Applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed.

As part of our ongoing work to build a hiring system that mitigates bias and is based on candidate merit and performance, we ask that you submit a version of your resume that has your school information removed. Please list your degree (e.g., B.A. Economics), but remove all references to undergraduate and graduate school names.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

For more information, please contact us at  [email protected] .