Manager of Development and Project Entitlements

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. Please Note: The posted locations above represent JLL’s key hiring markets for this opportunity. We are also open to considering qualified candidates located near these markets or within reasonable proximity for business travel and client support requirements. This role also requires up to 25% travel based on project and client needs.

What this job involves:

JLL is seeking an experienced Manager of Development and Project Entitlements to provide subject matter expertise for retail development projects across the continental United States. This senior-level position requires a minimum of 15 years of experience in retail and commercial development, with deep expertise in entitlement processes, permitting, and stakeholder coordination. The successful candidate will drive exceptional client service delivery while optimizing project timelines and success rates for our banking sector client.

Client Service Excellence

The Manager will deliver exceptional client service through technical expertise, effective communication, and strategic relationship management. This role serves as the primary liaison between JLL, the client, and various stakeholders throughout the development process, ensuring seamless project coordination and timely delivery of outcomes.

Technical Leadership & Project Management

Leverage extensive retail development expertise to guide successful project delivery from inception through full permit authorization and utility provisioning. Provide strategic oversight of entitlement processes, including zoning applications, land use approvals, environmental permits, and utility coordination. Analyze and optimize existing processes while developing new methodologies, playbooks, and responsibility frameworks for internal teams and external consultants including landlords, developers, expeditors, architects, and civil engineers.

Process Optimization & Performance Management

Develop and refine tracking mechanisms to identify project schedule acceleration opportunities while minimizing forecast error rates. Create and maintain comprehensive databases of permit expeditors, land use counsel, and subject matter experts. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for external consultants and monitor their performance, workload, and deliverables. Conduct root cause analyses on problematic submissions and provide peer reviews of due diligence reports.

Strategic Consultation & Problem-Solving

Provide expert consultation on complex or problematic developments, offering troubleshooting support and technical guidance. Advise on landlord work letter lease negotiations, zoning requirements, environmental entitlements, and utility acquisition processes. Contribute to organizational growth by achieving financial objectives while meeting specific retail construction requirements.

Team Development & Collaboration

Foster collaborative relationships between transaction, design, and construction teams. Contribute to training and development of team members in retail project implementation methodologies. Provide clear, concise reporting and communication between clients and project teams while continuously enhancing professional skills with focus on retail development trends.

Desired experience and technical skills:

Requirements:

Education & Experience Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or Business (advanced degree preferred, particularly in retail or commercial development). Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in civil engineering, architecture, or real estate development with strong emphasis on first and second-generation retail construction projects, both ground-up and in-line developments.

Technical Expertise

Comprehensive understanding of zoning laws, land use regulations, and entitlement processes across multiple jurisdictions. Deep knowledge of land use planning, zoning codes, variance and special use approvals, PUDs, and subdivision processes. Strong grasp of federal and local governmental authorities, building codes, environmental regulations, and laws affecting retail development. Understanding of land surveying, title work, and utility provider requirements.

Project Management Skills

Proven track record managing projects from lease negotiation through entitlement, permitting, construction, and close-out phases. Extensive knowledge of retail space design, construction requirements, and scheduling processes. Experience with due diligence of physical site conditions, soil remediation implementation, and storm water management. Proficiency in Excel and MS Project or equivalent industry scheduling software is required.

Specialized Knowledge

Demonstrated ability to monitor and direct multidisciplinary teams of architects, engineers, and land use counsel throughout entitlement processes. Familiarity with rezoning processes, development agreements, subdivision platting, PUD approvals, civil engineering, utility easements, and public hearing processes. Environmental experience with soil contamination, floodplain, and wetland mitigation is advantageous.

JLL Values Integration

This role embodies JLL's commitment to Excellence by maintaining the highest standards of technical expertise and client service delivery. The position demonstrates Teamwork through collaborative leadership of multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder coordination. Integrity guides all interactions with governmental authorities, consultants, and clients, ensuring transparent and ethical project management. The role supports Sustainability through environmentally conscious development practices and regulatory compliance. Finally, the position exemplifies People First values by fostering team development, maintaining strong client relationships, and prioritizing clear communication throughout complex development processes.

Success Metrics

Success in this role will be measured by accurate project milestone scheduling, reliable delivery of project completions, improved approval authorization durations, and maximized success rates across the retail development portfolio. The ideal candidate will demonstrate consistent ability to minimize project timelines while maintaining quality standards and regulatory compliance.

This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Expected compensation for this position: 130,000.00 – 190,000.00 USD per year

Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location: On-site –Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL, Columbus, OH, Dallas, TX, New York, NY, Tampa, FL, Washington, DC

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health.

• 401(k) plan with matching company contributions
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care
• Paid parental leave at 100% of salary
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay

JLL Privacy Notice

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Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at View email address on click.appcast.io. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL.

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Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.

At JLL, we give you the opportunity, knowledge and tools to own your success, because we value what makes each of us unique.

We help our people thrive, grow meaningful careers and find a place where they belong. Together, we strive to be exceptional and shape a better world.

For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500® company with operations in over 80 countries around the world, our employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise.

Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAYSM.

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