Head of Development, Law

Position Title: Development Manager

Time Type: Full time

At Cumming Group, you will work on some of the world's most exciting projects in a dynamic environment where your success is measured by the impact you make. We are one of the fastest-growing project and cost management consultancies in the United States, as reflected in our top 10 rankings in ENR. With over 60 offices globally, an extremely diverse project portfolio, and double-digit year-over-year revenue growth, the opportunities to make your mark are limitless!

This position is with Seneca Group, a Cumming Group affiliate, who delivers top-tier real estate advisory and development management services on projects ranging from 10,000 to over 1 million square feet across corporate office, education, luxury residential, civic and cultural, healthcare, and life sciences across North America and select EMEA and APAC markets. As part of Seneca Group’s continued growth, we are seeking a skilled Development Manager based in our DMV office in Arlington, VA. This role will play a key part in providing superior client service, delivering exceptional projects, and supporting the continued growth of the firm.

If you’re looking to join a team of exceptional people working with recognized clients on high-profile, complex projects - and make a real impact - we’d love to meet you.

The Development Manager serves as the day-to-day lead for one or more real estate development projects of medium-to-large size or complexity, working under the direction of an Associate Principal and/or Principal.

This role integrates development management and project management responsibilities, overseeing projects from early planning and entitlement through design, construction, and closeout.

The Development Manager is responsible for managing scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk at the project level, while coordinating internal teams, consultants, and contractors. The role supports senior leadership in client relationships, decision-making, and overall project strategy, and represents Seneca Group’s commitment to excellence and value creation for world-class clients.

Manage the day-to-day execution of one or more real estate development projects, or multiple projects/programs, from concept through completion, under the direction of an Associate Principal and/or Principal.

Support the definition of technical and financial project scope and manage execution of approved development strategies, budgets, schedules, and delivery plans.

Prepare, maintain, and manage detailed project schedules and development budgets, including forecasting and cash flow tracking.

Review and evaluate cost estimates, value engineering options, and contractor proposals.

Provide construction management oversight, including cost, schedule, quality, and risk control.

Facilitate and lead day-to-day project meetings with clients, internal teams, and external stakeholders, escalating key decisions, risks, and issues to senior leadership as appropriate.

Serve as the primary day-to-day point of contact for the client, supporting the Associate Principal and/or Principal in overall client leadership, strategic communication, and decision-making.

Proactively identify and resolve project-level risks, conflicts, and issues.

Promote opportunities for repeat business through effective project delivery, communication, relationship management, and collaboration with senior leadership.

Achieve client objectives by aligning project execution with development goals.

Maintain regular attendance during normal business hours, with on-site presence at the office and project sites as required.

The Development Manager reports to an Associate Principal and/or Principal and collaborates closely with senior leadership to align project execution with client objectives and firm strategy.

Strong ability to compile, analyze, interpret, and integrate complex project and development information.

Proven experience monitoring performance metrics and adjusting strategies as needed.

Ability to independently manage projects in dynamic or compressed timeframes.

Bachelor’s degree required in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Real Estate, Urban Planning, or a related field.

Minimum of 5+ years of demonstrated excellence in commercial real estate development management, project management, design, engineering, and/or construction.

Experience delivering large-scale, complex development projects.

Technical or sector-specific expertise in commercial office, healthcare, life sciences, education, research & development, cultural, luxury residential, and/or complex mixed-use projects.

Experience delivering projects involving secure facilities, including SCIFs (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities).

Strong project experience and professional relationships within the assigned region is preferred.

Willingness to travel domestically (approximately 10–25%).

The salary range for this full-time role is $150,000.00-$185,000.00 per year. Medical

Dental Insurance

Paid Holidays

Short and long-term disability

Employee Assistance Program

At Cumming Group, we are passionate about helping our clients execute large-scale, complex projects on-time and within budget. Our project and cost-management services are specifically tailored to each client’s needs and add meaningful value at every step of a project’s development.

Drawing on deep expertise in the communities and sectors we serve, we anticipate and solve problems, deliver solutions, and drive results. Cumming Group is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity in its personnel policies and practices. It is Cumming Group’s policy to recruit, hire, train and promote Team Members and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, registered domestic partner status, genetic information, sexual preference, sexual orientation, gender (including gender expression and gender identity), pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions, including breastfeeding), military service, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, veteran status or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. All other terms and conditions of employment, such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoff, return from layoff, training, education, and social and recreational programs, are administered without regard to the characteristics described above. To this end, Cumming Group complies with all provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, all of the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor, and all similar state and local laws.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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