Development Manager

Our Client is seeking a Development Manager to join its team and play a key role in advancing multifamily projects from initial site evaluation through construction. This is a hands-on position with exposure to the full development process and meaningful responsibility for moving projects forward.

About Our Client

Our Client is a growing real estate development and construction company focused on creating high-quality multifamily communities. Its integrated approach brings development, design, preconstruction, and construction together throughout the life of each project. The Development Manager will work closely with development leadership and collaborate with Development, Asset Management, Operations, and Construction teams, as well as architects, engineers, consultants, municipalities, contractors, and other project partners.

What You'll Do

Development & Due Diligence

• Support the advancement of multifamily development opportunities from initial site evaluation through closing and construction commencement.
• Assist with evaluating prospective development sites, including site characteristics, zoning, entitlements, infrastructure, market considerations, development constraints, and overall feasibility.
• Coordinate and manage third-party due diligence, including environmental, survey, geotechnical, traffic, wetlands, civil engineering, and other technical studies.
• Solicit and evaluate consultant proposals and help manage consultant scopes, budgets, schedules, and deliverables.
• Review due diligence findings and help identify potential risks, opportunities, and additional investigations required to advance a project.
• Coordinate with municipalities and local jurisdictions to understand zoning requirements, entitlement processes, development standards, and anticipated approval timelines.
• Help develop and maintain project schedules covering due diligence, entitlements, design, permitting, financing, and construction milestones.

Financial Analysis & Investment Support

• Assist the Development team with project underwriting and evaluation of prospective development opportunities.
• Help develop project assumptions related to land, site development, construction costs, soft costs, financing, timing, and other development inputs.
• Contribute to the preparation and refinement of development programs to balance market demand, project quality, construction considerations, and economic feasibility.
• Prepare and maintain pursuit budgets, development budgets, consultant budgets, and preliminary construction cost estimates.
• Monitor project costs against approved budgets and identify variances or emerging financial risks.
• Support capital origination and investment activities by providing development-related information, schedules, budgets, and project updates.
• Help prepare materials and analysis used in internal investment and project review processes.

Entitlement, Design & Permitting

• Coordinate the entitlement, zoning, and permitting process with municipalities, architects, engineers, and other project consultants.
• Manage and coordinate the architect, civil engineer, and other members of the project design team.
• Track design progress and help ensure project plans remain consistent with development objectives, approved budgets, schedules, and applicable requirements.
• Coordinate with specialty consultants, including landscape architects, interior designers, lighting consultants, accessibility consultants, waterproofing consultants, and other project professionals.
• Review plans and design documents to identify scope gaps, coordination issues, constructability concerns, and potential cost or schedule impacts.
• Work with the design team to resolve issues and keep projects progressing toward approvals and construction.
• Maintain strong relationships with municipalities and other stakeholders throughout the entitlement and permitting process.

Preconstruction & Construction Coordination

• Work closely with Construction and Preconstruction teams to transition projects effectively from development and design into construction.
• Provide the preconstruction team with the drawings, specifications, scopes, schedules, budgets, and other information required to develop project pricing.
• Participate in plan reviews, scope development, constructability reviews, cost analysis, and value-engineering exercises.
• Help evaluate design and scope alternatives based on cost, schedule, quality, and long-term project objectives.
• Participate in preconstruction and construction meetings and help coordinate development-related decisions throughout the project.
• Review project submittals, design changes, and proposed change orders as appropriate.
• Help maintain alignment between the approved development program and the project as it moves through construction.
• Assist in resolving issues that arise during construction and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders as needed.

Project Management & Execution

• Maintain visibility into project schedules, budgets, approvals, outstanding decisions, and key risks.
• Proactively identify issues that may impact project cost, schedule, quality, or feasibility and work with the appropriate team members to develop solutions.
• Coordinate multiple consultants and project stakeholders while maintaining accountability for deadlines and deliverables.
• Prepare project updates, presentations, schedules, budgets, and other materials for internal review.
• Maintain organized project documentation and ensure critical project information is communicated to the appropriate team members.
• Support the development team on special projects and other initiatives as the company continues to grow.

What We're Looking For

• 2–7+ years of relevant professional experience in real estate development, land development, civil engineering, construction, architecture, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree in real estate, finance, business, civil engineering, construction management, architecture, or a related discipline preferred.
• Experience working on real estate development projects; multifamily or residential development experience is a plus.
• A working understanding of the development process, including site evaluation, due diligence, zoning, entitlements, design, permitting, budgeting, underwriting, and construction.
• Strong analytical and financial skills with the ability to understand project economics and evaluate development assumptions.
• Ability to review and understand architectural, civil, engineering, and other project documentation.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and a high degree of organization.
• Ability to work independently while knowing when to seek input, escalate issues, or bring others into a decision.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive relationships with consultants, municipalities, contractors, and internal team members.
• A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to take ownership and drive projects forward.
• Ability to remain composed and solutions-oriented when working through challenging or time-sensitive situations.

This is a full-time, in-person position based in Our Client's Indianapolis, Indiana office.