Freelance Strategic Property Partners Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary

The Archdiocese of St. Louis seeks a strategic, mission-driven leader to oversee the comprehensive stewardship of its real estate portfolio.

This role is responsible for developing and executing a long-term portfolio strategy that ensures Church properties are mission-aligned, financially sustainable, canonically compliant, and responsibly stewarded for future generations.

This position extends beyond property administration. It requires discernment and sound judgment to evaluate how ecclesiastical property should be utilized, repurposed, consolidated, leased, or divested in light of demographic change, parish vitality, school enrollment trends, and regional economic conditions.

Working closely with the Archbishop's leadership team, Finance, Legal, Facilities, and parish leadership, this individual ensures that real estate decisions reflect both prudent business practice and fidelity to Church teaching and canonical requirements.

Church property is not merely an asset. It is a temporal good entrusted for the sake of mission.

Job Responsibilities

First 90 Days: Listening, Assessment, and Strategic Framing

• Conduct a comprehensive review of all owned and leased properties.
• Evaluate lease agreements, renewal schedules, rent performance, and compliance documentation.
• Assess underutilized, mission-critical, and financially burdensome assets.
• Review closed parish properties and associated service contracts.
• Meet with pastors, parish business managers, Finance, Legal, and Facilities leadership.
• Identify immediate governance, risk, or compliance concerns.
• Develop an initial strategic assessment outlining strengths, risks, and priority areas.

Key Responsibilities Portfolio Strategy & Long-Term Planning

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive real estate portfolio strategy aligned with Archdiocesan priorities.
• Identify opportunities for consolidation, adaptive reuse, leasing, or divestment.
• Align portfolio planning with demographic shifts, enrollment trends, and parish vitality metrics.
• Collaborate with Archdiocesan analysts, universities such as SLU and Notre Dame, and civic research partners.
• Develop a multi-year roadmap for portfolio optimization and sustainability.

Leasing, Transactions & Negotiation

• Lead negotiations for leases, renewals, extensions, and strategic property transactions.
• Coordinate with pastors and parish business managers on lease decisions.
• Prepare and review lease documents in coordination with General Counsel.
• Maintain oversight of lease administration systems, renewal tracking, rent escalations, and compliance documentation.
• Oversee modernization of lease portfolio management systems and reporting tools.
• Coordinate with Finance to ensure accurate receivable tracking and rent collection.
• Address delinquent rent matters with appropriate prudence and pastoral sensitivity.
• Ensure all agreements reflect sound stewardship and protect the Church's long-term interests.

Canonical & Legal Governance

• Maintain working knowledge of canonical requirements regarding alienation, leasing, and repurposing of ecclesiastical property.
• Coordinate closely with Legal and appropriate Church authorities on transactions requiring canonical review.
• Ensure compliance with civil law, tax exemption requirements, and regulatory filings.
• Oversee real estate tax assessment reviews, exemptions, and appeals where appropriate.

Data, Governance & Financial Stewardship

• Develop clear dashboards to track occupancy, lease performance, costs, revenue, and risk exposure.
• Establish consistent decision-making frameworks for property evaluation.
• Coordinate closely with Finance, Shared Accounting, and Facilities to ensure disciplined approvals and documentation.
• Monitor service contracts for closed and Archdiocesan-owned properties.
• Oversee property management vendors for security, maintenance, and grounds services.

Civic & Community Engagement

• Build relationships with city and county development organizations and planning authorities.
• Engage nonprofit partners and community organizations to explore mission-aligned reuse opportunities.
• Identify thoughtful and creative approaches to property repurposing, including housing, education, shared-use facilities, or ministry partnerships.

Job Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in real estate strategy, development, brokerage, asset management, or portfolio oversight within a complex organization.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in asset optimization and investment analysis.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating complex agreements.
• Experience modernizing lease administration systems and reporting platforms.
• Familiarity with ecclesiastical property considerations and willingness to operate within canonical structures.
• Ability to interpret demographic and economic data and translate it into strategic action.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Active practicing Catholic in good standing preferred.

Leadership Profile

The Director of Real Estate Strategy must possess:

• Strategic judgment balanced with pastoral sensitivity.
• High emotional intelligence and strong relationship-building skills.
• The ability to navigate sensitive property matters with discretion and calm.
• A disciplined and data-informed approach to decision-making.
• Comfort operating at the intersection of Church leadership, civic stakeholders, and nonprofit partners.
• The maturity to exercise prudent independent judgment in matters affecting long-term Church stewardship.

Real estate decisions often involve history, emotion, and community identity. This leader must approach such matters with respect, clarity, and steadiness.