Development Manager

Why Southern Land?

Our full-service company is comprised of planning, architecture, design, construction, marketing, and resident experience professionals-all in-house and working together every day to envision and create uniquely beautiful places.

Position Summary

Southern Land Company, a national real estate development and construction firm is seeking a full-time Development Manager to join our dynamic team at Westerly in Erie, CO. The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $135,000, based on experience.

The Development Manager is responsible for managing all facets of the assigned single-family/master planned community. Utilizing Southern Land Company guidelines, the DM works closely with the executive team to lead the specified strategic direction and ensure the overall financial and scheduled success of the development.

Role and Responsibilities

Due Diligence:

• Coordinate with contractors, engineers, authorities having jurisdiction and inspectors to acquire approvals and release of permits.
• Oversee projects from permit approvals through construction and final bond release and community turnover.
• Engage and maintain positive working relationships with local government jurisdictions/departments.
• Attend community and city meetings as the representative of the development.
• Resolve issues with agencies having jurisdiction over project. Coordinate with city, state, and federal agencies to obtain proper permits and approvals for project start and completion.
• Develop, maintain, and manage overall development schedules that facilitate the overall strategy as well as supports specific section / lot turnover milestones.

Design / Engineering:

• Engage with design professionals including architects, engineers, and specialty consultants. Management and support of design professionals from programming to completion.
• Coordinate with internal engineering groups, operations, and business units to determine detailed project requirements.
• Manage and provide guidance to the design & engineering process to ensure the most cost/time effective solutions are being provided by the design professionals.
• Coordinate with public utilities for the design and installation of utilities including but not limited to, electrical, phone, cable TV and natural gas.
• Ensure all final Plats are recorded in a manner to support Lot Delivery.

Finance & Accounting

• Manage community bonding capacity and coordinate site inspections for timely release.
• Prepare and present development financial analysis when needed.
• Review of all proposals, and change order requests from the consultants, general contractors, suppliers, and subcontracts to ensure scope, costs, and schedules are in keeping with executed agreements.
• Work with General Contractors or internal construction teams to ensure accurate cost forecasting each month or as requested by the Executive team.
• Create, maintain, and manage future community development estimation and budgeting.
• Manage and maintain current pro forma estimates and update as development progresses.
• Anticipate future cost and items that will affect development budgets and forecasts.
• Invoicing approval and coding for work payments.
• Maintain development yearly bank loan formulation and progress draws.

Construction:

• Coordinate with onsite contractors to resolve design discrepancies and oversights with a focus on overall cost and budget.
• Manage delivery of lots, community open spaces and amenities.
• Be proactive in resolving potential issues to ensure community completion schedules and budgets are adhered to.
• Manage utilities & infrastructure business unit or Contractors, ensuring project completion is maintained on time and on budget with minimal warranty issues.
• Engagement of trade partners and internal construction teams to include competitive bidding, negotiation, and value engineering.
• Act as liaison between builder and developer.
• Ensure that the SWPPP and dust control plans are implemented within each of the division's communities.
• Responsible for final tract acceptance by the governing agencies. Required to manage trade partners and internal construction teams to prepare punch lists, their associated site walks, monitor execution of punch lists items to a timely completion and final tract acceptance by the governing agency.
• Assist in approvals of all site development plans and project associated paperwork required to complete the communities.

Community Engagement / Communication:

• Interact with community residents when notified of problems and concerns.
• Interact with HOA and community Realtors to update on development progress, upcoming construction activities, and address any concerns or issues raised.
• Daily communication with all SLC staff and construction team.
• Engagement of and coordination with other SLC departments / divisions.
• Manage and communicate with development team in providing solutions to important day-to-day problems that may come up that can't get resolved in the field.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Proficient knowledge of innovative land use planning concepts including Traditional Neighborhood Design (TND), form-based codes, healthy living practices, and pedestrian scale development.
• Knowledge of construction and engineering practices to formulate accurate budget estimates and monitor construction progress.
• Possess working knowledge with the form, content and implementation of Air Quality Regulations, the State General Construction Permit, Construction Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans and Best Management Practices.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office, MS Project and in reading two-dimensional and three-dimensional CAD drawings.
• Knowledge of general office practices, procedures, and equipment; ability to prioritize tasks and work independently; strong organizational skills.
• Successful experience in developing and implementing innovative and imaginative solutions to difficult and complex community development issues.
• Knowledge of community relations and associated complexities regarding the development and implementation of effective neighborhood improvement strategies.
• Successful interaction with the media, citizens, public officials, developers, and community organizations. First-hand experience in responding to resident inquiries, suggestions, and complaints.
• Working knowledge regarding budget formulation and administration.
• Knowledge of land use planning/zoning law, environmental regulation, code enforcement, housing, neighborhood stabilization, historic preservation, GIS, transportation, project management and architecture.
• Ability to keep sensitive information highly confidential.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to deal professionally with clients, vendors, and co-workers on the phone and in person.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, ability to take initiative, use good judgment, demonstrate a strong sense of urgency and attention to detail, and carry multiple projects through to completion.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, prioritize work and ask for further clarification when necessary.
• Ability to work under pressure with tight time constraints, as well as the ability to deal with frequent interruptions, unresolved situations, frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Bachelor's Degree in Real Estate Management, Engineering, or related field.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in real estate management.

Company Overview

Southern Land Company believes that community is the heart of every successful development project. With that as our starting point, we create residential developments around the country that provide a generous, comfortable lifestyle to those that call them home. In support of our single family and multifamily projects, we also undertake key retail, office, and recreation developments to craft convenient, complete communities. We believe in big ideas and paying attention to every detail required to realize them.

We Have...

• A strong brand recognized for quality, performance, and artistry
• Guiding principles of creativity and innovation
• An open mind for new ideas and creative methods
• A strong compensation and benefits package, including health, vision, dental, 401k with a strong match and more!

Southern Land Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and we seek to create an inclusive work place that embraces diverse backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives. Southern Land Company offers a competitive benefits package, including 401k and paid time off. Southern Land Company is a Drug Free Workplace. For more information, please visit our website at

The above information is only an illustration of the general nature and level of work performed by the employee within this classification. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Company and employee and is subject to change by the Company as the needs of the Company and requirements of the job change.

Application deadline: November 6, 2026

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Equal Opportunity Employer
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