THE ROLE | HR&A is seeking to hire a Director in our Dallas office. Remote candidates based in a major city in Texas will be considered, provided they are committed to regular trips to the Dallas office. Directors are experienced professionals who lead project teams, manage client relationships, and contribute to business development. The role is part of HR&A’s newly launched Vital Places Studio, a collaborative group of consultants working nationally and regionally across real estate advisory, economic development, climate and resilience, parks and open space, transit-oriented development, and infrastructure projects. As exemplified by HR&A’s diverse and impactful projects in the region, the Director will advise mayors and agency heads, real estate owners and developers, and institutional and community clients on high-stakes real estate and economic development decisions — shaping strategies that unlock investment, expand opportunity, and bring places to life across Texas. Recent projects that exemplify the type of projects the Director could manage include a vision for Fort Worth’s most significant urban development opportunity, strategy development and developer solicitation for a new educational downtown anchor in Dallas, development advisory for an innovation district in Houston, or economic development policy planning in Austin.
The Director will lead multiple engagements at once and own client outcomes from strategy through implementation. Day-to-day work varies by project and may include:
Managing internal and external teams to deliver complex real estate, public-private partnership, and economic development strategies
Leading market, feasibility, business planning, and fiscal and economic impact studies
Designing public-private partnership strategies and analyzing and crafting public policies
Managing developer solicitations on behalf of major landowners and conducting and reviewing pro forma and residual land value analysis for a range of uses
Developing and implementing effective and inclusive community and stakeholder engagement strategies
Reviewing and presenting client deliverables, including memos, reports, and presentations
Supporting and leading business development efforts, including proposal writing, client cultivation and engagement, and participation in local professional and industry networks
Mentoring junior staff and contributing to internal culture-building, business planning, and business improvement initiatives
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED | Successful candidates will bring strong quantitative and qualitative skills, a demonstrated capacity for leadership and management, and a deep curiosity about the challenges and opportunities facing cities today.
Qualifications include:
8–12 years of experience in government, urban planning, economic development, real estate, housing, public policy, or related consulting fields.
Substantial project management experience developing and steering economic development, real estate, infrastructure, or parks and open space projects and proposals
Knowledge of the land use and economic development context, stakeholders, politics, regulations, and government processes within Texas cities
Experience and comfort with real estate financial modeling and analysis
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 or commensurate work experience 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, including coverage of 90–95% of healthcare premiums plus dental and vision coverage.