Site Development Manager – Job Description
Position Summary
The Site Development Manager is responsible for leading all site development activities from real estate approval through permitting, landlord coordination, pre-construction readiness, construction support, and project turnover for 2 +/- acre sites within an assigned regional area. This role serves as the primary accountable leader for ensuring sites progress efficiently through entitlement, approval, permitting, and development milestones while coordinating cross-functional teams, landlords, consultants, and contractors to meet schedule, cost, and quality objectives.
The ideal candidate can effectively public speak and sell certain aspects of a Darden Restaurant while being the face of the company in a public setting. The individual will be required to travel to zoning, planning and public hearings/ meetings when needed and would need to be able to perform under these conditions. Being able to have multiple projects under various stages and enjoying a fast paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Site Due Diligence & Feasibility
-Works closely with the assigned Real Estate Director for smooth transition and project kick off.
-Lead site feasibility reviews following real estate approval.
-Coordinate site investigations and due diligence activities.
-Evaluate site constraints, utility availability, access requirements, and permitting risks.
-Review survey, environmental, geotechnical, and civil engineering findings.
-Assess project readiness prior to development commitment.
Entitlements & Government Approvals
-Mange Site Consultants, engineers agreements within estimated budget and timelines.
-Manage zoning, subdivision, and governmental approval processes.
-Coordinate entitlement strategies with consultants and municipal agencies.
-Lead development reviews, planning board submissions, and approval meetings.
-Ensure compliance with jurisdictional requirements and development conditions.
Landlord & Third-Party Coordination
-Serve as primary liaison with landlords throughout development.
-Negotiate development-related requirements and site obligations.
-Coordinate landlord approvals for plans, utility work, and site modifications.
-Manage lease-related site development deliverables by working closely with internal legal department, the lease terms and timelines.
Permitting Management
-Direct preparation and submission of permit applications.
-Monitor permit review processes and agency comments.
-Coordinate consultant responses to permit review feedback.
-Secure all permits required for construction commencement.
Pre-Construction Management
-Lead project handoff from permitting into construction.
-Verify permit issuance and development readiness.
-Coordinate utility applications and service requirements.
-Ensure site-related conditions are resolved before construction start.
Construction Support
-Support construction teams in resolving site and jurisdictional issues.
-Coordinate responses to field conditions that could impact schedule
-Manage and support budget related to site challenges
- Support development-related change requests and approvals.
-Facilitate communication between contractor, landlord, consultants, and internal teams.
Project Closeout
-Oversee final jurisdictional approvals and closeout activities.
-Support turnover requirements and utility transfer to Darden.
-Review all change orders and project learnings for Future Development.
Qualifications
Required
-Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Real Estate Development, or related field.
-5–10 years of experience in site development, retail development, construction management, or entitlement management.
-Experience managing permitting and municipal approval processes, included but not limited to: Zoning, Code Compliance, inspections, utility management and application, permitting, REA and PUD compliance, platting.
-Knowledge of civil engineering, site planning, utilities, and development regulations.
-Strong project management skills.
-High aptitude for multi project work with fast paced work environment
-Ability to work with team and align with over arching goals.
-Restaurant operational experience.
-Current version of Bluebeam operational skills.
Preferred
-Restaurant development experience.
-Multi-site program management experience.
-Professional certifications such as PMP or related credentials.
-CAD / Revit experience Ability to draw site plan.
Key Competencies
-Site development expertise with soil management and mitigation.
-Entitlement management
-Permit administration
-Landlord coordination
-Contract and lease interpretation
-Risk assessment
-Schedule management
-Stakeholder communication
-Problem solving
-Cross-functional leadership
Success Metrics
-Permit cycle times
-Development approval timelines
- On-time construction starts
-Landlord approval performance
-Schedule adherence
-Development budget compliance
Location
-At RSC if in the Orlando Area
-Remote possible with skill set (If remote travel to the RSC monthly for 3 days minimal during monthly meetings to maintain team cohesiveness.)
-Travel up to 50% for project meetings. Must be able to travel independently within the company parameters.
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