Construction Project Development Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Location: The Woodlands, TX (onsite / full-time)

Salary: $135K - $145K, plus bonus

We are not accepting applicants who need employment sponsorship now or in the future. 

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The  Project Development Manager is responsible for leading projects through the early development and pre‐construction phases, ensuring they are fully defined, de‐risked, and ready for successful execution. This role bridges commercial development, utility infrastructure coordination, permitting, estimating, and scheduling, and serves as a critical interface between Business Development, Engineering, and Construction teams.

The ideal candidate brings 5–10 years of experience in project development, infrastructure, or construction environments, with  strong knowledge of utility infrastructure including power, water, wastewater, telecom/fiber, and gas systems.

Key Responsibilities

Project Development & Pre‐Construction

• Lead project development activities from initial concept through construction handoff
• Define project scope, baseline assumptions, risks, and execution strategy early in the lifecycle
• Develop and manage preliminary budgets, cost models, and schedule development.
• Coordinate feasibility studies, site due diligence, and constructability reviews
• Maintain development risk registers and drive mitigation strategies prior to mobilization

Utility Infrastructure & External Coordination

• Serve as primary lead for  utility infrastructure coordination , including:
• • Electric power (temporary and permanent)
  • Water and wastewater
  • Natural gas
  • Telecom and fiber
• Engage directly with utility providers, municipalities, and regulatory agencies
• Support utility applications, service agreements, and infrastructure extension plans
• Coordinate offsite utility scopes with civil engineers and internal construction teams

Permitting & Entitlements

• Manage permitting strategy and timelines across local, state, and utility authorities
• Coordinate zoning, land use, environmental, and building permit requirements
• Support entitlement approval processes and ensure compliance with jurisdictional requirements
• Track permit status and critical path impacts

Estimating, Scheduling & Transition to Execution

• Support or lead early estimating efforts and cost validation in partnership with estimating teams
• Help coordinate the development of project schedules and milestone dates
• Ensure a clean, structured handoff to Project Management and Field Execution teams
• Participate in turnover meetings to ensure scope, cost, and risk alignment

Internal & Client Collaboration

• Act as a cross‐functional integrator between Development, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction
• Support client and stakeholder presentations during the development phase
• Provide clear, executive‐level updates on development progress, risks, and decisions

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• 5–10 years of experience in project development, construction management, or related roles
• Demonstrated experience with  utility infrastructure planning and coordination
• Strong understanding of pre‐construction processes, permitting, and early cost modeling
• Ability to manage multiple projects in parallel across different geographic jurisdictions
• Excellent written, verbal, and stakeholder communication skills

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field
• Experience supporting large scale commercial, industrial, energy, or infrastructure projects
• Familiarity with modular construction or accelerated delivery models
• Experience working with utility companies, municipalities, and regulatory agencies

Core Competencies

• Utility & infrastructure diligence and planning
• Pre‐construction and development strategy
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Budget and schedule development
• Cross‐functional leadership
• Regulatory and permitting coordination
• Executive‐level communication

With more than 40 years of experience, Aquent connects the best professional, creative, marketing, IT, engineering, financial and administrative talent with the world's biggest brands.

Company Description

With more than 40 years of experience, Aquent connects the best professional, creative, marketing, IT, engineering, financial and administrative talent with the world's biggest brands.