Director, Real Property Development

At Alto, we are actively contributing to the transformation of Canada's future with our high-speed train project connecting Quebec City and Toronto. With the support of the Government of Canada, this innovative project aims to improve the quality of life of our citizens, strengthen ties between communities and stimulate economic growth.

Would you like to take on a stimulating, high-impact challenge?  We are looking for a Director, Real Property Development. Please note that the candidate may be based in one of our 2 offices: Montreal or Toronto.

The role

Reporting to the Senior Director, Land Acquisitions and Development, the Director, Real Property Development leads the planning and execution of Alto’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) program in support of Canada’s first high-speed rail project.

This role is accountable for advancing station-area development opportunities across the network, in close coordination with the Land Acquisitions team and external partners. Working with the PMO and cross-functional teams (Engineering, Construction, Finance, Legal, Commercial), the Director integrates land strategy, TOD objectives, and project delivery considerations into a coordinated program.

The role ensures Alto closely monitors and tracks development across the network and identifies opportunities for working with the development community in pursuit of shared objectives that can bring value to Alto and its partners.

The responsibilities

• Lead engagement and negotiations with the development community to advance Alto’s TOD and land acquisition strategies.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a network-wide TOD strategy and policy framework.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize station-area development opportunities to maximize land value, support ridership, and generate economic benefits.
• Monitor development activity and market trends across the corridor to inform acquisition strategy
•  and partnership opportunities.
• Integrate TOD objectives into alignment planning, station design, and land acquisition in collaboration with internal teams.
• Establish and manage relationships with municipalities, developers, Indigenous partners, and government stakeholders.
• Lead negotiations with developers, landowners, and institutional partners to structure and advance development agreements.
• Review financial models, business cases, and value capture strategies to support TOD initiatives.
• Collaborate with Legal and internal teams to structure and execute TOD agreements.
• Lead internal TOD working groups to ensure alignment across functions.
• Track planning policy, zoning, and development approvals across Ontario and Québec to inform strategy and risk management.
• Support application of anti-speculation and other tools to de-risk acquisition and development.
• Contribute to acquisition budgeting, forecasting, and governance compliance.
• Prepare executive- and Board-level materials, including briefings, dashboards, and decision papers.
• Represent Alto in external forums and stakeholder engagements related to development and TOD.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Vision: Ability to develop and implement a strategy that aligns with organizational goals and drive the success of real property and asset management initiatives.
• Risk Management: Skilled in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks related to property acquisition.
• Relationship Building: Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, which facilitates collaboration and alignment across diverse teams.
• Leadership: fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Communication & Influence: Communicates complex ideas clearly to senior management, boards, and external stakeholders; presents reports, briefings, and recommendations with impact and clarity; influences decision-making.

The requirements 

• Minimum 10 years in real estate transactions, land development, or complex infrastructure delivery; proven portfolio leadership in multi‑stakeholder environments.
• Deep experience in station‑area development/TOD, railway, public transit or other major projects.
• Expertise in negotiations, due diligence, regulatory approvals, and risk management for land transactions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex negotiations involving diverse stakeholder interests and political sensitivities.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a past faced, high-pressure environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to work in both English and French is required.
• Willingness to travel throughout Ontario and Québec.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and influencing senior public/private partners
• Experience with regulatory processes (federal, provincial, or municipal) related to land acquisition or environmental assessments.

Why join our innovative team?

• Basic paid group insurance for you and your family: medical, dental, life, disability, etc.
• Access to wellness and health accounts to support your lifestyle.
• Flex-Alto account of $500 to encourage a healthier approach and a more sustainable mode of transportation.
• A retirement plan and savings options (RRSP and TFSA).
• Vacations based on experience, available upon hiring.
• An incentive compensation program.
• Flexible hybrid work mode.
• A work environment that encourages initiative, innovation, and forward-thinking solutions.
• A unique opportunity to shape the future of transportation in Canada.

We work to create high-performance, diversified teams

At Alto, we believe in the power of diverse teams. We aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone can develop and flourish. Alto offers equal employment opportunities to all and invites qualified individuals, regardless of their identity, origin or situation, to apply.

Please let us know if you need any adjustments during the recruitment process. We will do our utmost to provide you with a fair and pleasant experience, while keeping any adjustments confidential.

Please note that we will communicate only with those candidates whose applications are selected for further consideration. To find out more about the entire project, visit Alto - Home.