Real Estate and Development Counsel

Overview

This role reports to the EVP General Counsel and involves leading proactive, strategic legal work supporting a real estate portfolio, government partnerships, and organizational growth. The focus is on managing universal legal documents governing communities, negotiating with government stakeholders, handling real estate transactions, and providing legal support for development and new project onboarding. The position collaborates closely with Property Management Counsel, Contracts & Compliance Counsel, and a paralegal team.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage universal legal documents such as the Universal Lease (UL), Community Guidelines, Operations, Maintenance and Management Plans (OMMPs), and Facilities Maintenance Plans (FMPs).
• Negotiate document terms and amendments with government stakeholders including Military Housing Offices, service branches, and the Department of Defense.
• Support real estate transactions across the portfolio, including parcel returns, document amendments, licenses, easements, rights of entry, access agreements, and related contracts.
• Advise on development and construction legal matters related to new construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects.
• Provide legal support for growth initiatives and new project onboarding, including due diligence, structuring, and document implementation.
• Monitor and implement evolving statutory and regulatory requirements, including MHPI, NDAA provisions, GAO recommendations, and DOD IG findings.
• Develop and improve operational infrastructure, policies, and legal protocols related to health and safety, maintenance, environmental risk, and risk mitigation.
• Advise on energy, utilities, and environmental compliance matters, including utility allowance programs, energy procurement, and environmental diligence.
• Coordinate with and manage outside counsel on specialized matters to ensure cost-effective, high-quality support.
• Partner with Property Management Counsel on document interpretation issues arising from field operations and translate lessons learned into improvements.
• Support interactions with congressional staff, GAO auditors, and DOD IG investigators in coordination with General Counsel and government relations teams.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; willingness and ability to obtain additional registrations as required.
• 5–10 years of experience in real estate, transactional, or regulatory law.
• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating complex operational and transactional documents.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including direct negotiation with government counterparts.
• Detail-oriented, analytical thinker with excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and knowledge of Adobe and PDF files.
• Self-motivated team player with strong project management and execution skills.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills with ability to build trust and sustain relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to think critically while balancing business goals with prudent risk management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with government contracts, public-private partnerships, or government-regulated real estate.
• Familiarity with federal regulatory frameworks, compliance obligations, and government oversight processes.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects with minimal supervision.
• Strategic thinker capable of building systems, processes, and scalable legal infrastructure.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $143,000 - $185,600, exclusive of fringe benefits or potential bonuses.
• Eligibility for performance bonus.
• Final salary determined by geographic location, skills, education, licenses, certifications, and experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical, dental, life and disability insurance, HSA/FSA accounts, retirement plans, and rewards programs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The organization provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.