Director, Permit Planning & Strategy

Who We Are 

Newcastle Limited is a growth-oriented, employee-focused real estate investment firm. We are long-term owners who acquire and develop multifamily, retail, and mixed-use properties in urban Chicago. We self-manage our portfolio through our Newcastle Retail Management and Reside Living brands. Our growing portfolio includes more than 3,000 apartments and 600,000 square feet of retail space. Our mission is to provide the best urban real estate experience for our residents and retail tenants, and the best value for our capital partners.

If you have an affinity for real estate and want to be part of a collaborative culture that strives to win, we want you as part of our team. Come power your career with us and enjoy the journey along the way.

What You Will Do 

The Director of Permit Planning and Strategy will be a key player on our development team and work closely with Newcastle asset and project management professionals. You will lead and manage efforts to secure new development entitlements and obtain required permits and other governmental approvals necessary for capital projects and new developments or redevelopments. You will develop systems to manage permits and licenses required to operate our portfolio of urban retail and multifamily assets. 

We need a go-getter with deep experience in Chicago's permitting and entitlement process. If this sounds like you, join us and make an impact at Newcastle. 

Specific responsibilities will include: 

Development 

Secure all governmental and utility approvals for new projects, managing third-party consultants and expeditors as appropriate.  

• Secure various permits and approvals to support redevelopment projects and ongoing portfolio operation, including renovation, public way, driveway, and other permits. 

• Navigate permit hurdles surrounding landmark issues. 
• Oversee Newcastle’s response to permit violations and manage successful resolution. 
• Manage utility company relationships. Facilitate service installation, relocation, or maintenance process. service requests and  
• Provide budget input for reoccurring approvals for all portfolio properties. Develop and maintain a database of all permits and required governmental reporting for portfolio properties. 

Government Relations  

Represent Newcastle in conversations and negotiations with relevant permitting agencies and government institutions.  

• Communicate compliance concerns or issues to Newcastle’s senior management and the firm’s capital partners. 
• Monitor Newcastle's interaction with City and Aldermanic staff concerning new projects and public infrastructure issues. 
• Maintain an understanding of Chicago permit requirements, alerting colleagues to pending code changes. 

• Manage third-party attorneys and consultants as appropriate to facilitate government review and approvals.  
• Respond to violation notices and manage government building inspections as needed. 

Subject Matter Expertise 

Serve as Newcastle's in-house subject matter expert on entitlements and permitting. 

• Be a resource to the finance team, advising on permit- and zoning-related matters affecting loans and lenders. 
• Partner with Newcastle's retail team, supporting firm and tenant efforts to secure permits for interior build-outs, signage, and liquor. 
• Collaborate with and advise development team colleagues on City façade, structural, and other code-related inspections. 

Requirements 

The ideal candidate will possess many of the following qualifications: 

• 8+ years of experience working with project entitlements and permits in private industry or government.   
• Strong familiarity with the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development and City departments involved in permit issuance or compliance. 
• Strong organizational skills and a strategic perspective that effectively prioritizes tasks associated with multiple projects. 
• An aptitude for spotting risk and the ability to solve problems and overcome permitting challenges. 

• A college degree in a relevant field of study is preferred.