Project Executive - Federal Lease Development

Your New Company

NORF Companies (“NORF”) is a veteran‑owned real estate investment firm specializing in historic redevelopment and tax‑advantaged investment strategies. Based in New Orleans, NORF acquires, develops, and revitalizes properties across North America, with a primary focus on the Southeast region.

New Orleans, LA

NORF Companies is seeking an experienced Project Executive to provide executive leadership and single‑point accountability for a major federal lease development project. The position leads the project from post‑award development through financing, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, government acceptance, and transition to operations, and is responsible for the project’s financial performance, schedule, design, and construction execution, federal lease compliance, risk management, and stakeholder relationships.

• Lead the overall execution of the project, including budget, schedule, financing, design, construction, compliance, risk, and closeout.
• Serve as NORF’s principal liaison with federal contracting personnel, government project representatives, lenders, attorneys, consultants, contractors, and ownership.
• Interpret the federal lease and translate its requirements into clear project deliverables, deadlines, responsibilities, and controls.
• Oversee architects, engineers, general contractors, specialty consultants, commissioning professionals, and other project partners.
• Direct the design, permitting, procurement, construction, inspection, commissioning, acceptance, and turnover processes.
• Manage the development budget, cash flow, financing requirements, lender draws, tenant improvement pricing, payment applications, contingencies, and change orders.
• Maintain the project master schedule and ensure timely completion of government submissions, reviews, approvals, inspections, and contractual milestones.
• Lead negotiations and resolution of material design, cost, schedule, contractual, and performance issues.
• Ensure complete and accurate project documentation, including reports, meeting records, formal notices, cost support, schedules, and closeout materials.
• Provide executive leadership with timely forecasts, risk assessments, financial reports, and recommendations.
• Coordinate the transition from development and construction to building operations.

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, architecture, engineering, real estate development, finance, business administration, or a related field; equivalent highly relevant experience may be considered.
• At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience in commercial real‑estate development, construction, institutional development, or owner’s representation.
• At least five years in a Project Executive, Development executive, Program Director, Senior Owner’s Representative, or comparable leadership role.
• Direct lessor, developer, or owner‑side federal lease development experience.
• Experience leading at least one federal build‑to‑suit or major leased development from post‑award activities through government acceptance and rent commencement.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal lease processes, including Design Intent Drawings, construction documents, tenant improvement pricing, Notices to Proceed, lease amendments, government reviews, inspections, acceptance, and rent commencement.
• Experience managing complex project budgets, financing, cash flow, lender reporting, contractor payments, change orders, and cost forecasting.
• Experience overseeing multidisciplinary design teams, general contractors, subcontractors, commissioning professionals, and third‑party reviewers.
• Strong knowledge of design management, construction administration, CPM scheduling, procurement, quality control, risk management, and project closeout.
• Ability to interpret complex leases, development agreements, construction contracts, technical requirements, and government correspondence.
• Strong executive communication, negotiation, documentation, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to maintain a regular on‑site presence in New Orleans.

• Experience completing two…