Development Manager Full Time

Hillwood Urban is seeking a Development Manager to join our growing commercial development team in Dallas, TX. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Development, the Development Manager will oversee key aspects of the development process for both new and existing commercial projects. This role spans the full lifecycle of development—from site evaluation and entitlements to design coordination and construction management—while also supporting ongoing property and asset management initiatives.

The ideal candidate will bring a strategic, hands-on approach to land acquisition, permitting, and project execution, ensuring alignment with Hillwood Urban’s commitment to quality, innovation, and long-term value creation.

Responsibilities:

Project Pursuit and Analysis:

• Actively pursue prospective development opportunities, including market research, site identification, marketing strategy, and preparation of presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Manage financial analysis for active and prospective development opportunities, including acquisitions, dispositions, and ground-up development.
• Oversee preparation of detailed underwriting models, development budgets, schedules, and return summaries to evaluate feasibility and support investment decisions.

Design and Pre-Development:

• Direct and coordinate project design, site planning, feasibility studies, and entitlement strategies in collaboration with internal teams and third-party consultants.
• Assist with pre-construction due diligence efforts to ensure alignment with project goals, timelines, and performance targets.
• Initiate and manage the bid review process for contractors, architects, consultants, designers, engineers, and trades, ensuring consistency with project objectives and budget.
• Lead the selection and contracting of consultants, including planners, engineers, architects, and pre-construction managers, to support project development.
• Oversee preliminary design phase, conduct regular design review meetings, and facilitate fast-track scheduling with city and design teams.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop conceptual budgets and schedules and market assumptions.
• Finalize site and building designs with the development team, initiating pricing and sub-bid processes to secure accurate and dependable cost estimates.
• Refine development budgets and schedules to ensure effective project tracking and reporting.

Project Management and Execution:

• Oversee day-to-day execution of projects from design through construction.
• Partner with city officials to expedite permits and secure necessary approvals prior to construction, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Lead the selection and contracting process for general contractors, subcontractors, and trades; finalize the construction schedule as the basis for contractual terms.
• Manage and coordinate third-party consultant teams, including design, engineering, and specialty contractors.
• Lead regular project meetings to maintain alignment across scope, budget, and schedule, ensuring effective cross-functional coordination.
• Attend weekly construction meetings to monitor progress, address field issues, and uphold schedule and quality benchmarks.
• Review and approve monthly contractor pay applications; coordinate with bank inspectors and internal finance teams to process draws and maintain accurate cost summaries.
• Negotiate and manage agreements related to utility connections, relocations, and infrastructure work to support construction timelines.
• Prepare and deliver presentations and reporting for equity and debt partners, in collaboration with internal Hillwood Urban stakeholders.

Property and Asset Management Support:

• Coordinate with internal teams and property management to ensure smooth transition from construction, including punch list resolution, turnover documentation, and final inspections.
• Support ongoing asset and property management strategies for stabilized properties.
• Contribute to the ongoing evaluation and enhancement of operating assets to maximize tenant satisfaction and long-term value.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Proven ability to lead office and mixed-use development projects from inception to completion, managing cross-functional teams and driving results in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Effective collaborator with internal teams, consultants, and public entities, fostering productive relationships and achieving favorable outcomes.
• Excellent communicator with strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities, and the judgment to navigate complex issues professionally.
• Skilled in financial and legal analysis, with the ability to evaluate models, regulatory considerations, and development agreements.
• Experienced in identifying and implementing design and construction strategies, including value engineering to enhance efficiency, cost control, and quality.
• Familiar with zoning, entitlements, and municipal approval processes for commercial development.
• Strong interpersonal presence with the ability to engage effectively across departments, stakeholders, and client-facing situations.
• Professional, proactive, and self-motivated, with a team-first mindset and a high degree of accountability.
• Able to manage a diverse workload under pressure while maintaining precision and attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Bluebeam, Adobe, and Box; experience with MS Project or similar project management tools preferred.
• Familiarity with Argus is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Bluebeam, Adobe, and Box; experience with MS Project and project management software preferred.
• Experience with Argus is a plus.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Real Estate Development, Urban Planning, or related field required.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in commercial real estate development or project management.
• Strong familiarity with institutional investors or equity partners, including capital structuring and relationship management.

Source: Hillwood Career Page

Tagged as: Development Firm, REPE Firm