Development Director- Industrial Full Time

Hillwood Investment Properties (HIP) is currently seeking an experienced industrial Development Director to join our growing team in Houston, TX. Reporting to the Houston Market Leader (ML), this role will manage the full development process—including site viability, entitlement, design, construction, occupancy, and disposition. The ideal candidate will bring a strategic and collaborative approach to land acquisition, permitting, and construction management, ensuring alignment with HIP’s commitment to excellence and value creation.

Responsibilities:

Land Analysis/Acquisition:

• Conduct site feasibility assessments to support strategic land acquisitions that align with Hillwood’s development objectives.
• Perform comprehensive site due diligence using Hillwood’s internal checklist, assessing zoning, site conditions, utilities, drainage, access, and visibility.
• Oversee third-party contracts for geotechnical, environmental, boundary and topographic surveys, and title work.
• Develop public strategies, build relationships with local city officials to explore economic incentives and understand permitting procedures and timelines.
• Initiate and review bids from contractors, architects, consultants, engineers, and trades, ensuring alignment with project goals and budget.
• Collaborate with the analyst team to create conceptual development budgets and schedules.
• Support or lead land contract negotiations alongside the MD, working closely with the legal team to draft and finalize offer letters or letters of intent (LOI).
• Coordinate with Hillwood’s risk management team as necessary to ensure compliance.

Pre-Development and Planning:

• Act as the primary liaison for customers, brokers, contractors, consultants and government officials throughout the project life cycle.
• Manage the selection, contracting, and coordination of the design team, including planners, engineers, architects, pre-construction managers, and other consultants.
• Oversee preliminary design phase, conduct regular design review meetings and facilitate fast-track scheduling with city and design teams.
• Identify and implement value engineering opportunities to optimize project design, control costs, and maximize value.
• Finalize site and building designs and initiate pricing/sub-bid process to secure reliable project estimates.
• Refine development budgets, schedules, and market assumptions to support accurate project tracking and reporting.
• Lead entitlement processes, including rezoning, platting, and obtaining tax abatements and incentives.
• Negotiate and secure the development agreement and all relevant permits, such as grading, foundation, and building permits as required.
• Coordinate marketing signage fabrication and installation, with the MD and marketing team.

Financing:

• Coordinate with operations and accounting to develop detailed bank budgets and cash flow assumptions for project financing.
• Support the legal team to complete loan checklist items to ensure compliance.
• Oversee the assembly of due diligence materials for appraisers and lenders, coordinating with tenants to secure SNDA and other required documents.
• Manage certification of surveys, geotechnical reports, and environmental assessments for bank compliance
• Establish and maintain a relationship with the bank inspector, facilitating monthly bank draws and resolving any post-closing issues.

Construction:

• Partner with city officials to expedite permits and ensure necessary approvals before construction begins, maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Lead the selection and contracting process for general contractors, subcontractors, and other trades, finalizing the construction schedule as the basis for the contract amount.
• Attend weekly job meetings to monitor project progress, maintain schedules, and address any issues promptly.
• Review and approve monthly contractor pay applications, update the development cost summary, and collaborate with the bank inspector to process pay applications promptly.
• Negotiate and manage agreements for utility connections, relocations, and infrastructure work to support project needs.
• Partner with property management and contractors to expedite the punch-list process for a smooth and project transition.
• Conduct post-construction lessons-learned discussions and prepare monthly cost reports to inform future projects.

Marketing:

• Attend weekly marketing meetings, providing updates on project status and insights.
• Coordinate with the marketing team to create proposals including lease layouts, tenant improvement plans, and build-to-suite options, with scheduling and pricing guidance.
• Ensure all marketing materials reflect current project specifications, timelines, and brand standards.
• Oversee the preparation of property information packs for potential buyers and participate in property showings.

Property Dispositions:

• Review property inspection reports and coordinate with property management to complete necessary repairs.
• Work with operations and accounting to finalize and assess final project costs.
• Support the disposition and legal teams in contract negotiations, securing all tenant documentation needed for sale.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making with a customer service focus.
• Strong market orientation with a focus on project management and team leadership.
• Technical proficiency in architecture, engineering, and site/building construction along with strong knowledge of financial, accounting, and regulatory law.
• Skilled negotiator with the ability to secure favorable terms for the company while building and maintaining strong relationships.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and ethics, with strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Strategic, market-savvy thinker with a collaborative approach.
• Ability to foster respectful, professional relationships in an inclusive environment.
• Able to present both positive and challenging news professionally, commanding respect across teams.
• Independent, self-motivated, capable of managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Composed and even-tempered during negotiations and business activities.
• Trusted relationship-builder with a reputation as someone others “want to do business with.”
• Proficient in MS Office, Box, project management software, and Salesforce.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preference for fields in real estate, construction management, engineering or related field.
• 5-10 years of experience in commercial real estate development and construction, ideally with an industrial focus.
• Proven track record in ground-up development.
• Familiarity with municipal processes, including plan reviews and document processing.
• Experience in preparing and reviewing contractor and consultant proposals, agreements, and contracts.

Source: Hillwood Career Page

Tagged as: Development Firm, REPE Firm