Development Manager

South Block HQ; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

South Block HQ is seeking a Development Manager to lead restaurant store development from site selection to grand opening. You will coordinate Real Estate, Construction, Operations, and external partners to deliver on time and on budget.

You will own the development path, lead design coordination, permitting, and vendor management while building financial models to evaluate opportunities. Regular travel and independent ownership of outcomes are expected.

Qualifications

• This role requires 3+ years of restaurant development, real estate, or commercial property management experience.
• PMP or CAPM certification is strongly desired.
• Experience with AI platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude) is desirable.
• Proficiency with Google Suite is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact between Real Estate, Construction, Operations, Finance, Marketing, landlords, architects, consultants, and municipalities.
• Own the development critical path and partner with Construction on schedules and vendor coordination.
• Lead cross-functional teams through site due diligence, design coordination, permitting, and management.
• Build financial feasibility studies and pro forma models for new restaurant opportunities.
• Cultivate relationships with brokers, architects, contractors, and government officials.
• Ensure zoning and regulatory compliance throughout development.
• Run cross-functional development meetings and resolve issues that impact timelines.
• Keep stakeholders aligned on schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Report progress to senior leadership and flag scope changes.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

B.A./B.S. in relevant field

PMP or CAPM certification

Tools

Google Suite

AI platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude)

Job description

About the Role

South Block is growing, and we need a Development Manager to help lead the charge. Think of this role as the quarterback of our new store development process: you'll coordinate cross-functional teams and outside partners to take new locations from site selection all the way to grand opening. You'll own execution across design, permitting, and every other piece of development project management, making sure our restaurants open on time and on budget.

If you thrive on keeping complex projects moving, love bringing order to moving parts, and want to play a key role in scaling a growing restaurant brand, we want to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Serve as the primary point of contact between Real Estate, Construction, Operations, Finance, Marketing, landlords, architects, consultants, and municipalities, keeping every project moving forward
• Own the development critical path, partnering with Construction on build schedules, contractor coordination, and project execution
• Lead cross-functional teams through site due diligence, design coordination, permitting, and vendor management
• Build financial feasibility studies and pro forma models to evaluate new restaurant opportunities
• Cultivate strong relationships with brokers, architects, contractors, and government officials
• Ensure compliance with zoning laws and regulatory requirements throughout development
• Run regular cross-functional development meetings and proactively resolve issues before they impact timelines
• Keep stakeholders aligned on schedules, budgets, and deliverables
• Report progress to senior leadership, flagging any changes in scope, schedule, or budget
• Translate South Block's growth strategy into actionable development goals

What You Bring

• 3+ years of experience in restaurant development, real estate, or commercial property management, managing multiple projects at once
• Strong understanding of construction processes, real estate finance, lease negotiations, and legal agreements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills - comfortable talking with city officials, executives, and frontline team members alike
• High emotional intelligence and a collaborative, partnership-first mindset
• Exceptional organization and attention to detail, with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Comfort working independently and owning outcomes end-to-end
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel

Education & Experience

• B.A./B.S. in a relevant field, or 3+ years of experience in real estate and/or inside sales/account management
• PMP or CAPM certification strongly desired
• Experience with AI platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude) strongly desired
• Proficiency with Google Suite

Additional Details

This is an in-person role based at our office and is not eligible for remote work. It requires regular travel and the ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

We use eVerify to confirm U.S. Employment eligibility.