Commercial Leasing Director

The Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt, private, non‑profit corporation. The organization’s mission and strategic focus is to strengthen the core assets of downtown by revitalizing and connecting the Central Business District and Over-the-Rhine (OTR). 3CDC works in close collaboration with the Cincinnati corporate community and City of Cincinnati to carry out its mission. With an annual operating budget of $20 million, the organization has a team of approximately 170 full‑time staff and 180 part‑time staff engaged in real estate development, real estate management, civic space management and programming and business district management.

• Real Estate Development - To date, 3CDC has played a direct role in over $2 billion in development projects in downtown Cincinnati and the adjacent neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine. In completing over 100 development projects, 3CDC has reimagined key civic spaces, added market‑rate and affordable housing to the urban core and created density through mixed‑use residential and office projects that support local small businesses.
• Real Estate Management - 3CDC leases and manages over 660,000 square feet of commercial space and nearly 6,000 parking spaces with annual operating revenues exceeding $32 million.
• Civic Space Management and Programming - 3CDC manages and programs six civic spaces – Fountain Square, Washington Park, Ziegler Park, Memorial Hall, Court Street Plaza and Imagination Alley. 3CDC hosts nearly 1,600 free family‑friendly events each year at these spaces.
• Business District Management – The organization manages two special improvement districts – the Downtown Cincinnati Improvement District and Over-the-Rhine South Special Improvement District – providing clean and safe services, homeless outreach, beatification efforts and marketing support to both districts.

Job Summary

The Commercial Leasing Director is responsible for overseeing 3CDC’s leasing strategy and execution for a portfolio of commercial properties, including retail, office, and restaurant spaces. This role focuses on maximizing occupancy, achieving revenue goals, and maintaining positive tenant relationships. The Commercial Leasing Director will work collaboratively with property management as well as the marketing teams to deliver a strong, diverse tenant mix and achieve long‑term property performance objectives.

Tasks

• Develop and oversee day‑to‑day leasing operations, ensuring consistent execution of strategies across retail, office, and F&B assets while aligning team efforts with boarder portfolio goals.
• Lead and develop the leasing team, set performance goals, provide coaching and training and foster a collaborative, results‑oriented culture.
• Drive accountability and performance, monitoring pipeline activity, analyzing leasing metrics, and implementing process improvements to optimize team effectiveness.
• Prospect, identify, and secure new tenants through proactive outreach and broker relationships.
• Negotiate lease terms, renewals, amendments, and expansions in accordance with company policies.
• Coordinate with legal counsel to prepare and review lease documents.
• Manage the marketing of available spaces, including signage, online listings, broker events, and promotional campaigns.
• Conduct market research to understand trends, rental rates, competition, and demand drivers.
• Prepare financial analyses, leasing reports, and presentations for senior leadership.
• Partner with property management to ensure tenant build‑outs are delivered on time and per lease agreements.
• Maintain strong relationships with existing tenants to support retention and minimize vacancies.
• Collaborate with the construction and development teams on reconfigurations or improvements to enhance marketability.
• Attend industry events and networking functions to build connections and stay up to date on market activity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Marketing, or a related field (required).
• 5+ years of commercial leasing experience (office, retail, or industrial).
• Proven success in negotiating lease terms and closing deals.
• Strong knowledge of commercial real‑estate markets, trends, and financial concepts.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deals simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM or property management software.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Frequently required to sit at a desk/workstation for long periods of time.
• Ability to work at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.
• Digital dexterity and hand/eye coordination in operation of office equipment.
• Able to speak and hear employees on the phone or in person.
• Body motor skills sufficient to enable employee to move around the office environment.
• Additional mental requirements: compare, decide direct, problem solve, analyze, instruct, and interpret.
• The ability to work well under stress.

Disclaimer

This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. It is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or work conditions associated with the job. Furthermore, the employer reserves the right to revise or change the job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.