Director of Development

Build Communities. Create Opportunities. Shape the Future.

Gronen is a vertically integrated real estate development and construction company focused on creating transformative multifamily, industrial, commercial, mixed-use, and warehouse developments throughout the Midwest. Our integrated platform allows us to source, develop, construct, own, and manage high-quality real estate that creates lasting value for our communities, partners, and investors.

Today, Gronen manages more than 1.5 million square feet of commercial space, owns and manages 165 residential units, and is actively expanding its portfolio with new multifamily, industrial, and mixed-use developments—including a 102-unit downtown Dubuque infill project currently in construction. Our construction team delivers complex commercial projects throughout the region, providing a unique advantage by combining development expertise with in-house construction capabilities.

As we continue to grow, we are seeking an entrepreneurial Director of Development to identify, evaluate, and advance the next generation of development opportunities. This is an opportunity to work directly with ownership and play a defining role in Gronen's long-term growth strategy.

Position Summary

The Director of Development is responsible for identifying, underwriting, negotiating, and advancing new real estate development opportunities that create long-term investment value while generating construction opportunities for Gronen.

Success in this role begins with creating opportunities—not simply managing existing projects. The Director will proactively build relationships with landowners, municipalities, brokers, developers, business leaders, investors, and economic development organizations to source opportunities across multifamily, industrial, commercial, mixed-use, warehouse, and build-to-suit developments.

Once opportunities are identified, the Director will lead the predevelopment process by evaluating financial feasibility, coordinating due diligence, securing entitlements, assembling project teams, and presenting investment recommendations to ownership.

While the Director will remain involved throughout the life of each project, Gronen's construction team will assume responsibility for day-to-day construction execution once projects transition into construction. The Director will continue supporting project success through strategic oversight, coordination, budgeting, and decision-making.

The Director reports directly to the COO and works closely with ownership in evaluating investments, negotiating transactions, and executing Gronen's long-term development strategy.

Why Gronen?

Joining Gronen means more than accepting a new position—it's an opportunity to help shape the future of one of the Midwest's growing real estate development and construction companies.

You'll work directly with ownership, have meaningful influence over investment decisions, and help create projects that strengthen communities while driving the company's long-term growth.

If you're energized by creating opportunities, building relationships, and bringing transformative projects to life, we'd love to hear from you.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business, Finance, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of experience in commercial real estate development, acquisitions, brokerage, finance, construction, or business development.
• Demonstrated success sourcing and advancing commercial real estate opportunities.
• Experience preparing financial models, underwriting projects, and presenting investment recommendations.
• Strong understanding of land acquisition, zoning, entitlement, financing, and development processes.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, networking, and relationship-building skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to independently create opportunities and execute strategic initiatives.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120,000.00 - $135,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Experience:

• Underwriting: 5 years (Preferred)
• Business development: 5 years (Preferred)
• Real Estate: 7 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Dubuque, IA 52001 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Dubuque, IA 52001: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person