Real Estate Development Finance Manager

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career. Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families. The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: Grade: Professional 312 Pay Range: $109,900.00 - $170,400.00 Job Description The Real Estate Development Finance Manager serves as WGU's lead financial advisor responsible for project financial planning, funding strategy, capital planning, cash flow forecasting, financial governance, and executive financial reporting for our campus development. This role develops and maintains project financial models, evaluates funding alternatives, assesses financial risk, and provides decision support to ensure sound financial stewardship throughout the project lifecycle. *This position will be working in office out of our Salt Lake City, Utah headquarters. Relocation Assistance will be provided for those not currently located in a 50 mile radius of Salt Lake.   Primary Responsibilities Financial Planning and Analysis Develop, maintain, and update project financial models and pro forma throughout the project lifecycle. Prepare financial analysis to support strategic decisions, project alternatives, and major investments. Conduct scenario and sensitivity analysis across key variables including cost, schedule, inflation, interest rates, and operating assumptions. Evaluate financial impacts of scope changes, schedule delays, and strategic alternatives. Funding Strategy and Capital Planning Develop and maintain the project funding strategy and capital plan. Evaluate and recommend capital structure alternatives and funding approaches. Support financing activities and related due diligence, including debt, bond, incentive, and grant opportunities. Develop recommendations regarding capital allocation and funding requirements. Cash Flow Management and Forecasting Develop and maintain project cash flow forecasts. Monitor projected funding requirements throughout the project lifecycle. Evaluate impacts of schedule, cost, and scope changes on financial performance and funding needs. Support budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning processes. Financial Governance and Reporting Prepare executive-level financial reports, analyses, and presentations. Maintain financial governance procedures, reporting standards, and supporting documentation. Present financial recommendations to project leadership and executive stakeholders. Support board, executive, and governance reporting requirements and monitor compliance with financial approvals. Financial Risk Management Identify and assess financial risks associated with project delivery, operations, and market conditions. Develop mitigation strategies and monitor key assumptions throughout the project lifecycle. Support project-wide risk management efforts and governance processes. Collaboration Partner with Development, Project Controls, and Cost Management to evaluate forecasts, alternatives, and major project decisions. Coordinate with Development Accounting to reconcile forecasts with actual expenditures and accounting records. Support Construction and Procurement on financial evaluation of commitments and execution decisions. Provide financial analysis and recommendations to executive leadership. This job description includes a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive inventory of all required responsibilities or work activities. The contents of this document or related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice. Qualifications Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Advanced financial modeling, forecasting, and analytical skills. Strong executive communication and presentation skills. Knowledge of project finance, capital planning, and development economics. Ability to evaluate financial implications of business decisions and align recommendations to project objectives. Education Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Real Estate, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field. Experience 8+ years of experience in real estate finance, development finance, corporate finance, project finance, investment analysis, or related disciplines. Demonstrated expertise in financial modeling, pro forma development, capital planning, funding strategies, cash flow forecasting, and financial analysis. Experience evaluating debt financing, bond financing, incentives, grants, tax credits, and other capital sources. Experience supporting large-scale commercial, institutional, mixed-use, hospitality, higher education, corporate headquarters, or comparable complex developments. Experience in lieu of education Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience