Development Project Lead - Multifamily & Senior Living

For over 60 years, O'Brien Construction has worked to enhance the quality of our communities through our expertise as team builders and constructors, specializing in multi-family housing, municipal and commercial buildings. We are a Construction Manager and General Contractor with a mission to develop lasting relationships built on mutual trust and respect. O’Brien Construction builds so much more than senior housing and historical renovations. We’re building trust, pride, and a better world than it was yesterday – one job at a time. Building a career is like building anything else - it takes the right plan, the right team and the right commitment. When you work with O’Brien Construction, we can promise you will accomplish work you’ll be proud of, work with great people, and grow both the community and your career. Position Overview The Owner Representative / Land Acquisition Manager is responsible for leading and managing the real estate development process across multiple projects and states, with a focus on multifamily, build-to-rent (BTR), and senior living developments. This role oversees all pre‑development activities, including site selection, land acquisition, municipal approvals, entitlements, and design coordination. During construction, the role serves as the primary representative of ownership, ensuring quality control, reviewing and approving submittals, attending Owner‑Architect‑Contractor (OAC) meetings, and approving payment applications. The position leads all financial aspects of development, including budgets, proformas, cost control, and coordination with accounting and other financial stakeholders, collaborating closely with executive leadership and internal teams across operations, marketing, legal, and accounting. Primary Responsibilities Deliver new multifamily, BTR, and senior living development projects on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. Lead site selection, land acquisition, due diligence, municipal approvals, entitlements, design, construction, and occupancy. Manage all financial components of development, including project budgets, proformas, cost tracking, and financial reporting. Administer and oversee contractual obligations with consultants, contractors, and other project partners. Serve as the Owner’s Representative during construction, ensuring quality control, reviewing and approving submittals, and authorizing payment applications. Coordinate and communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, including executive management, operations, marketing, legal, and accounting teams. Attend and actively participate in OAC meetings; track project schedules and proactively resolve issues or obstacles. Provide consistent project reporting and maintain clear documentation throughout the development lifecycle. Responsible for delivering all closeout documentation and handoff to operations. Travel to project sites as required (average travel of approximately 25% per month). Required Experience & Qualifications Minimum of 10+ years of experience in construction management, architecture, engineering, real estate development, or a related field. Demonstrated experience delivering ground‑up multifamily, BTR, and senior living construction projects through completion and occupancy. Strong understanding of site development, municipal approval processes, zoning, and entitlements, including licensed senior living environments. Proven ability to manage project budgets, proformas, and financial controls across complex, multi‑project portfolios. Experience serving as Owner’s Representative during construction, including quality control, submittal review, and payment approvals. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across multiple departments and stakeholders. Experience using construction project management platforms (Procore preferred). Proven experience developing, maintaining, and managing project schedules. Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to resolve unexpected development or construction challenges. Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% per month. General Working Conditions Extended periods of standing, frequent communication with team members, and use of standard office equipment. Ability to review detailed drawings, contracts, and financial documents, and work regularly on a computer. Occasional lifting or moving of materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Moderate noise levels depending on work location. Periodic travel to active development and construction sites. Compensation and Benefits O’Brien Construction provides a competitive compensation package that includes a base salary based on experience, skills, and abilities, an annual bonus, paid time off, an employer‑sponsored 401(k) program, health, dental, vision, and life insurance, company‑paid electronic devices, and opportunities for professional development. Travel for this position is frequent and often throughout the Midwest. #J-18808-Ljbffr O'Brien Construction