Manager of Real Estate & Construction in Gurnee, Illinois at Advia Credit Union

Employment Type: Full Time

Entry Salary Range: $81,682.91-$98,019.50 annually with an annual award opportunity based on individual and credit union performance.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

We're committed to supporting your well-being and work-life balance through a robust benefits offering:

Health & Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance to keep you and your family healthy.

Financial Peace of Mind

• 401(k) with company match, life insurance, and disability coverage.

Time Off

• Generous paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and paid parental leave.

Professional Growth

• Learning and development programs, plus tuition reimbursement to support your career journey.

Additional Perks

• Free Telemedicine
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness initiatives
• Paid Community Action Volunteer Hours

*Parental Leave and Tuition Reimbursement are available after one year of service.

What you should know about the role

Accountable for the leadership, administration, and successful execution of all construction, renovation, relocation, site development, and capital expenditure projects across the organization. Directs Real Estate Project Coordinators and provides strategic oversight for project planning, budgeting, contractor management, site evaluations, due diligence, project execution, and occupancy readiness.

Responsible for ensuring all construction and capital projects align with organizational growth strategies, operational requirements, financial objectives, and project delivery standards. Serves as the primary liaison between executive leadership, architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, landlords, and regulatory agencies throughout the project lifecycle. This position supports organizational growth through successful project execution while living and demonstrating the credit union's core values of Act with Integrity, Drive Progress, Build & Strengthen Relationships, and Keep People at the Core.

What you should know about Advia

Advia is a fast-growing Credit Union that is positioned in the top 3% of credit unions across the United States. We serve almost 200,000 members with assets over $4 Billion. We offer very similar product and services as the big banks with a focus on saving our members money while providing financial advantages. We are rooted in our communities and believe we have a responsibility to give back outside of our four branch walls through volunteering and charitable donations. The work environment at Advia is fast-paced, performance based, and fun infused. We certainly live by the saying "work hard, play hard." As an employee of Advia, you can expect regular and constructive feedback, development opportunities, great benefits, excellent co-workers and engaged managers.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Construction and Project Delivery Leadership:

• Leads all aspects of branch construction, branch relocations, renovations, facility upgrades, tenant improvements, and major capital expenditure projects from concept through completion.
• Establishes project delivery standards, project governance processes, construction procedures, and reporting requirements to ensure consistent execution across all projects.
• Provides leadership and oversight to Real Estate Project Coordinators, including workload management, performance development, project prioritization, coaching, and professional growth.
• Reviews project schedules, budgets, risk mitigation plans, construction progress, and project performance metrics to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Serves as primary escalation point for project issues, contractor disputes, schedule delays, budget variances, change orders, and operational impacts.

Site Evaluation and Real Estate Development:

• Leads site evaluation efforts for new branch and facility opportunities, including due diligence, feasibility studies, infrastructure assessments, municipal reviews, entitlement considerations, and development risk analysis. Based on current Corporate Real Estate responsibilities, this includes support for acquisitions, dispositions, lease negotiations, and new location startup activities.
• Coordinates architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, utility providers, municipalities, and internal stakeholders throughout the development process.
• Provides recommendations regarding project feasibility, development costs, operational impacts, and long-term facility considerations.

Capital Planning and Financial Management:

• Develops, administers, and monitors the annual construction and capital expenditure budget in partnership with executive leadership.
• Maintains accountability for project forecasting, budget adherence, contract administration, change order management, contingency planning, and capital allocation across multiple concurrent projects.
• Evaluates project costs and identifies opportunities for value engineering, operational efficiencies, and long-term cost reduction while maintaining quality and project objectives. These responsibilities directly align with current facilities project management expectations.
• Provides executive-level reporting regarding project status, budget performance, project risks, capital forecasts, portfolio health, and resource requirements.

Vendor, Contractor, and Stakeholder Management:

• Establishes and maintains strategic relationships with contractors, architects, engineers, consultants, utility providers, landlords, and vendors.
• Oversees contractor selection, bid administration, contract negotiations, performance evaluations, and vendor accountability.
• Represents the organization during project meetings, construction updates, municipal reviews, and executive project discussions.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensures projects comply with applicable building codes, permitting requirements, environmental regulations, contractual obligations, organizational standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintains project controls, documentation standards, risk management procedures, and audit readiness across all assigned projects.
• Must comply with applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Bank Secrecy Act, the Patriot Act, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Additionally, all employees must follow policies and procedures to minimize risk by exercising judgment, raising questions to management, and adhering to policy guidelines.

Manages team to maximize productivity, efficiency, and the potential of the human assets of Advia, including monitoring performance, coaching, mentoring, training, assuring compliance with regulatory requirements and organizational mission, values, service standards, policies, and work guidelines. Appraise performance and provide recommendations for promotion, disciplinary action, and termination, as appropriate.

Experience

Eight to twelve years of progressively responsible experience in commercial construction, corporate real estate, architecture, engineering, facilities management, project management, development, or a related field.

Demonstrated experience leading multi-site construction projects, facility development initiatives, renovations, capital expenditure programs, and external contractor relationships. Previous management or supervisory experience required.

Education/Certifications/Licenses

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, Business Administration, Facilities Management, Corporate Real Estate, or a related field preferred.

An equivalent combination of education, certifications, and directly related professional experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Construction Manager (CCM), or comparable professional certifications are desirable.

Interpersonal Skills

A significant level of trust, credibility and diplomacy is required. In-depth dialogue, conversations and explanations with customers, direct and indirect reports and outside vendors can be of a sensitive and/or highly confidential nature. Communications may involve motivating, influencing, educating and/or advising others on matters of significance. Typically includes subject matter experts as well as first level to middle managers.

Physical Requirements

Is able to bend, sit, and stand in order to perform primarily sedentary work with limited physical exertion and occasional lifting of up to 10 lbs. Must be capable of climbing / descending stairs in an emergency situation. Must be able to operate routine office equipment including computer terminals and keyboards, telephones, copiers, facsimiles, and calculators. Must be able to routinely perform work on computer for an average of 6-8 hours per day, when necessary. Must be able to work extended hours or travel off site whenever required or requested by management. Must be capable of regular, reliable and timely attendance.

Working Conditions

Must be able to routinely perform work indoors in climate-controlled shared work area with minimal noise.

Mental and/or Emotional Requirements

Must be able to perform job functions independently or with limited supervision and work effectively either on own or as part of a team. Must be able to read and carry out various written instructions and follow oral instructions. Must be able to complete basic mathematical calculations, spell accurately, and understand computer basics. Must be able to speak clearly and deliver information in a logical and understandable sequence. Must be capable of dealing calmly and professionally with numerous different personalities from diverse cultures at various levels within and outside of the organization and demonstrate highest levels of customer service and discretion when dealing with the public. Must be able to perform responsibilities with composure under the stress of deadlines / requirements for extreme accuracy and quality and/or fast pace. Must be able to effectively handle multiple, simultaneous, and changing priorities. Must be capable of exercising highest level of discretion on both internal and external confidential matters.