Industry Growth Executive (Construction or Real Estate)

About Dean Dorton 

Dean Dorton’s team makes up one of the largest advisory firms in the United States. We thrive when you thrive! We are here to help you succeed in every step of your development and career as you work with nationally recognized experts in a recognized best place to work. 

Our core values guide how we work, lead, and support one another every day. They are:

• Integrity - We do the right thing, integrity guides our decisions.
• Relationships - We value people, relationships drive our impact.
• Collaboration - We win as one team, collaboration fuels our success.
• Growth - We stay curious, growth is our mindset.

About the Role

We are seeking a high-impact, commercially driven Senior Executive with deep experience in the construction or real estate sectors to lead strategic market expansion in the Triangle and throughout North Carolina. 

This role is designed for a proven industry leader, ideally a former CFO, divisional president, operating executive, or senior commercial leader, who brings strong executive relationships, industry credibility, and the ability to originate significant revenue opportunities.  

The Industry Growth Executive will serve as a face of our firm within the construction and real estate marketplace, building C-suite relationships, identifying complex business challenges, and connecting clients with high-value solutions across accounting, tax, advisory, technology, cybersecurity, risk, transaction, and operational consulting services.  

This is a strategic market-building leadership position focused on:  

• Revenue origination  
• Vertical market expansion focused on construction and commercial real estate companies (including groups within each vertical such as general contractors and sub-contractors, etc.) 
• Executive relationship development  
• Multi-service client growth  
• Industry leadership  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Market Development & Revenue Growth  

• Develop and execute a Triangle area growth strategy focused on middle-market and upper middle-market construction and real estate businesses.  
• Build relationships with CEOs, CFOs, COOs, private equity groups, lenders, attorneys, and industry associations.  
• Identify and originate new business opportunities across multiple service lines.  

Industry Leadership  

• Provide strategic insights into construction and real estate industry trends including:  
• • Supply chain, labor, and workforce challenges  
  • Margin pressures, project profitability, and cash flow
  • ERP, technology, and AI modernization
  • Workforce Challenges 
  • M&A activity 
  • Cybersecurity Risks 
  • Operational Efficiency 
• Represent the firm at industry events, associations, and executive forums.  
• Strengthen brand recognition within key industry ecosystems.  

Strategic Advisory Alignment  

• Translate operational and financial pain points into solution opportunities
• Collaborate with internal industry team to design comprehensive solutions
• Help shape go-to-market strategies for construction and real estate verticals 
• Support client retention and long-term strategic growth

Internal Leadership  

• Act as a bridge between external market opportunity and internal solutions capabilities
• Mentor internal teams on industry trends, executive communication, and market positioning
• Support future development of industry specialization initiatives and new services to support the sector 
• Help elevate firmwide understanding of construction and real estate sector needs

Requirements

Required Experience  

• 15+ years of leadership experience in construction, commercial real estate, or related sectors.  
• Prior experience in the industry as one or more of the following preferred:  
• • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  • Chief Operating Officer (COO)
  • CEO / Owner
  • President / Division President
  • Development or Investment Executive
  • Commercial Executive
  • Private Equity Operating Partner
  • Senior Strategic Advisor  
• Strong Triangle market relationships and regional business network
• Demonstrated success driving business growth, strategic partnerships, or revenue expansion
• Deep understanding of operational, financial, and strategic challenges facing the sector

Preferred Attributes  

• Executive-level credibility with business owners and private equity stakeholders
• Proven consultative selling or revenue origination capability
• Ability to navigate complex environments
• Strong communication, influence, and relationship-building skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset with strategic discipline
• Experience working across finance, operations, and growth functions

Benefits

The Fun Stuff

Work isn’t all work!  We want to make your experience at Dean Dorton a great one. From your health and happiness to your long-term satisfaction, we focus on YOU!  A few highlights are listed below:

• Flexible work schedules and environment
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid family leave, medical leave, and maternity/paternity leave programs
• Retirement benefits, including a best-in-class employer match and automatic profit sharing.
• Telemedicine, mental health resources and wellness program reimbursement

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by team members assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Additionally, responsibilities and duties may vary depending on business needs and individual circumstances.

Dean Dorton is an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to growing and empowering an inclusive community within Dean Dorton and our industry which is why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of the best and brightest from all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives across the organization. We welcome anyone of any race, religion, color, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, ancestry, handicap, medical condition, disability, marital status, age, sexual orientation or gender.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from staffing agencies, recruiters, or search firms. Any resumes or candidate information submitted without a current, signed agreement in place will be considered unsolicited, become the property of the company, and will not obligate the company to pay any fees or commissions.