Project Executive - Federal Lease Development in New Orleans, Louisiana at Hernandez Consulting and Construction

Project Executive - Federal Lease Development
Company: NORF Companies
Location: New Orleans, LA

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.

Our work is centered on creating long-term value for investors while improving the communities in which we invest. We operate in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where team members are given meaningful responsibility, direct exposure to leadership, and the opportunity to help shape the organization's growth.

Your New Role
NORF Companies is seeking an experienced Project Executive to provide executive leadership and single-point accountability for a major federal lease development project. This position will lead the project from post-award development through financing, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, government acceptance, and transition to operations.

The Project Executive will be responsible for the project’s financial performance, schedule, design, and construction execution, federal lease compliance, risk management, and stakeholder relationships.
Direct federal lease development experience from the lessor, developer, or owner’s representative side is required.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience completing two or more federal lease developments through government acceptance and rent commencement.
• Experience with GSA, VA, or comparable federal lease forms and requirements.
• Experience managing environmental compliance obligations under federal lease agreements, including indoor air quality, radon, mold, and water intrusion, remediation, and hazardous materials management.
• Experience with healthcare, institutional, behavioral health, residential, or another highly regulated facility type.
• Familiarity with federal construction labor standards, physical security requirements, commissioning, accessibility, sustainability, and government tenant improvement pricing.
• Experience with New Orleans-area permitting, utilities, construction conditions, and public agencies.
• Relevant professional certification or license, such as PMP, CCM, DBIA, LEED AP, licensed architect, or professional engineer.

Benefits
NORF Companies offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Medical insurance with 80% employer-paid employee premium contribution
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Three weeks of PTO
• Eight paid holidays annually
• Optional dental and vision coverage

NORF Companies is an equal opportunity employer. NORF Companies does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.