Real Estate & Construction

Recruiting the Leaders Who Build the Northwest

At Herd Freed Hartz, we understand that the real estate and construction sectors are the backbone of the Pacific Northwest’s economic growth—literally building the future from the ground up. From Seattle to Spokane, Portland to Boise, the Northwest has emerged as a hub for both large-scale commercial projects and innovative startups redefining residential development and property tech and according to McKinsey, construction technology investment surged to more than $50 billion globally from 2020 to 2022, with a significant portion of innovation emerging in the U.S. West Coast. Companies in our region are balancing tradition with transformation, and that requires leadership that combines deep expertise with adaptive thinking. We specialize in recruiting corporate board members and senior executives specifically for the construction industry, leveraging our niche specialization and industry knowledge.

We help you find that rare combination, identifying candidates for key roles, including business development directors, to strengthen your leadership and operational capabilities.

Unique Talent Needs in a Dynamic Sector

Hiring in this space isn’t just about resumes and certifications, although those are important. It’s about catering to various organizations, ensuring a cultural fit, grit, and a leadership style that aligns with your company’s pace, whether you’re breaking ground on a mixed-use tower or scaling a PropTech platform. Our expertise in filling construction roles ensures that we provide hiring solutions for a wide range of experience levels, from entry-level to executive positions. The real estate and construction industry faces its complex hiring challenges: a tight labor market, increased regulatory scrutiny, and a need for leaders who can navigate both the boardroom and the job site. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that construction management jobs will grow by 5% through 2032, which is faster than the average growth across all industries. For investors and owners, having the right CEO, VP of Development, or CFO, or Head of Construction can be the difference between stalled permits and scalable growth, meeting specific staffing needs effectively.

Startups and Innovation Meet Traditional Sectors

The Northwest is experiencing an exciting convergence of real estate and technology. With tech hubs like Seattle and Portland fueling innovation, there’s a new breed of startup blending AI, IoT, and sustainable design into real estate development and property management. Our industry expertise allows us to understand the sector and its unique challenges deeply. We excel at identifying top talent for real estate developers, ensuring they have the leadership needed to thrive. A 2024 report from CB Insights identified construction tech and real estate fintech as two of the fastest-growing venture-backed segments. But even with great ideas, startups struggle to attract seasoned executives who can operate in ambiguity while driving results. That’s where our deep network comes in—we’ve placed leaders who know how to build teams from scratch and scale revenue fast, while staying grounded in operational excellence.

There’s a new breed of startup blending AI, IoT, and sustainable design into real estate development and property management.

Best Practices for Executive Hiring Today

In today’s hiring landscape, speed, transparency, and storytelling matter more than ever. Top executives are evaluating not just compensation, but also culture, mission, and the leadership they will be joining. Our proven recruitment processes are built around that reality: precise alignment on the role, a compelling and honest employer narrative, and a rigorous approach to candidate assessment. We excel in identifying the right candidates for specific roles, ensuring top talent is effectively placed in leadership and essential positions. According to LinkedIn’s 2023 Global Talent Trends, 89% of professionals say being contacted by a recruiter who understands their background is key to engagement. That’s where our sector focus makes a difference—we speak your language and know what high-performing candidates are looking for.

A Trusted Partner in the Northwest and Beyond

We’ve been proud to partner with companies across the real estate and construction spectrum—from publicly traded commercial developers to family-owned homebuilders, PE-backed property investment firms, and up-and-coming sustainability-focused startups. What unites our clients is a need for leadership that fits their stage, culture, and ambition. Our vast network allows us to swiftly connect clients with qualified candidates, thanks to our extensive candidate database. We are committed to exceeding client expectations by providing personalized recruitment solutions tailored to specific needs. Our success is built on relationships, not transactions. We bring clarity, momentum, and insight to each search, with a track record of placements that last, which is why clients enjoy working with our team. If you’re ready to add the next cornerstone to your leadership team, we’re here to help you build it right.