Commercial Real Estate and Redevelopment Manager

Commercial Real Estate and Redevelopment Manager

SALARY: $ 72,000-84,000

HOURS: 40 hours a week

STATUS: Full-Time Exempt

REPORTS TO: Policy and Economic Development Director

JOB DESCRIPTION

Recent wildfires, immigration actions and construction of the Metro East San Fernando Valley Light Rail have impacted many of the businesses along the Van Nuys Commercial Corridor. A majority are legacy businesses operating for over 10 years but renting their spaces on a month-to-month basis. These businesses are vulnerable to displacement and loss of income. Some businesses may need to relocate their business altogether to survive the impact of construction. These businesses will require a Business Survival Center to provide targeted technical assistance, financial assistance, navigation of the Business Interruption Fund (BIF) and relocation support to counter gentrification, displacement, and loss of income. The Van Nuys Commercial Corridor has been in decline since the 1970s. During the pandemic, conditions worsened as more retail stores and food establishments closed. ICON CDC seeks a Program Manager to oversee a Business Survival Center to ensure supportive and responsive engagement with local business needs, as well as identification of commercial real estate opportunities to advance the Van Nuys Revitalization Project.

JOB SUMMARY

The Program Manager will oversee the Business Survival Center Program, supervising both the Outreach Coordinator and Senior Business Advisor to ensure that the program’s goals and deliverables are met. This role is responsible for leading the team to provide technical assistance to small businesses, nonprofits and entrepreneurs across the Van Nuys Commercial Corridor, organizing and hosting informational workshops, and ensuring that all businesses receive the support they need to survive during the construction of the East Valley Light Rail project, including grant and loan assistance and business relocation. The Program Manager will provide technical assistance to small businesses on matters of commercial real estate as part of the Business Survival Center and Van Nuys Revitalization Project. This role is responsible for providing technical assistance to assist with commercial leases, relocation, and landlord-tenant issues. The goal of the Program Manager role is to ensure that all businesses are preserved, protected from displacement, and receive the support they need to survive during transit construction, including grant and loan assistance. The Program Manager will also be tasked with identifying vacant and blighted buildings and real estate opportunities within the Van Nuys Commercial Corridor. The Program Manager will also track program outcomes and work closely with stakeholders to ensure the success of the Van Nuys Blvd Revitalization initiative.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction to the Business Survival Center Program, overseeing the Outreach Coordinator and Senior Business Advisor to ensure smooth and effective operations.
• Set clear goals and deliverables for the program, ensuring that all outreach, technical assistance, and workshop objectives are met in a timely manner.
• Oversee the Senior Business Advisor in scheduling appointments with small businesses and guiding them through relocation, permitting, and leasing processes, as well as supporting the Van Nuys Blvd. Revitalization project.
• Review small business commercial leases to address needs of small business owners renting their space.
• Research community needs and available real estate to determine where there are commercial spaces in the Van Nuys Commercial Corridor that can be developed to meet community needs.
• Strategic planning to align real estate strategies with project goals and small business needs.
• Market analysis and valuation to identify market trends, vacancy rates, and comparable properties; produce Broker Opinions of Value (BOVs)
• Generate leads for potential leasing or acquisition
• Client representation and transaction management; leading the sales/lease pipeline, negotiating letters of intent (LOIs), purchase-and-sales agreements (PSAs), and lease terms; acting as intermediary for buyers, sellers, and tenants.
• Negotiation of leases for tenant clients.
• Gather information on local businesses regarding commercial real estate or relocation needs.
• Schedule appointments with small businesses and guide them through relocation, permitting, and leasing processes, as well as support the Van Nuys Blvd. Revitalization project.
• Host workshops and informational sessions for small businesses, providing education on permitting requirements, commercial real estate, and compliance with local regulations.
• Identify blighted properties in the Van Nuys Commercial Corridor that can serve as opportunities for economic development, contact owners of said properties to discuss possible development.
• Research local ordinances and which blighted or vacant properties may be in violation.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance program visibility and participation, collaborating with community groups, city agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor and track key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring that program goals, such as the number of vendors assisted and permits obtained, are met.
• Prepare and present regular reports on program progress, outcomes, and challenges to senior leadership and funders.
• Continuously evaluate program effectiveness, identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes as necessary to enhance service delivery.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local government officials, community partners, and other key stakeholders to support program success.
• Ensure that the program complies with all relevant regulations and guidelines.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Urban Planning, Real Estate Development, or a related field (relevant experience may be considered instead of degree).
• 3+ years of experience in technical assistance, case management, commercial real estate, or similar roles, ideally in community development or small business support.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, with the ability to communicate clearly with a diverse vendor population.
• Strong knowledge of business licensing, permit application processes, and local government regulations.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple vendor appointments and meet deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail, ensuring vendors are thoroughly supported through the application process.
• Experience working with underserved communities and individuals with limited access to resources.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and client management software.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Experience in tracking program outcomes and preparing reports for funders or leadership teams.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse community stakeholders, including local vendors, government officials, and community groups.
• Other duties as asigned

KNOWLEDGE and/or SKILLS

• Familiarity with the City of LA's permit and development processes.
• Experience in commercial real estate brokerage, consulting, or business development.
• Deftness in navigating LA City Planning, LA Dept. of Building and Safety (LADBS) and the Board of Engineering (BOE)
• Strong knowledge of city of LA zoning laws, land use regulations, and inspections processes.
• Understanding of San Fernando Valley commercial real estate market.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Knowledge of administrative and office procedures, including managing files/records and designing forms;
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Computer proficiency in spreadsheets and word processing in a Google Docs environment
• Experience with Social Media management platforms preferred
• Develop and maintain work deadlines.
• Perform work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Exercise reliability, responsibility, and dependability and fulfill work obligations.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Commercial Real Estate and Redevelopment Manager will work in an office setting with significant opportunities to work in the field. This position may require occasional evening and weekend work to support workshops or events. May need to lift and move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws. Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

ICON CDC is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. ICON CDC makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

Pay: $72,000.00 - $84,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Commercial Real Estate : 2 years (Preferred)

Language:

• English/Spanish (Required)

Location:

• San Fernando Valley, CA 91325 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person