Development Manager

SLS Consultants; Kansas City (KS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premier compensation package

Incentive programs tied to firm growth

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan with matching

Generous PTO and holidays

Monthly structured learning and devopm

Job summary

SLS Consultants in Kansas City, MO seeks a Development Manager to lead development and pre-development efforts for large-scale mission critical and advanced manufacturing projects from site selection through execution.

This on-site, full-time role requires coordinating cross-functional teams, managing schedules and budgets, and building strong client relationships while guiding risk management and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in real estate development, project management, program management, construction management, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and pre-development activities for mission critical and advanced manufacturing projects from inception through delivery.
• Drive site evaluation, due diligence, entitlement, permitting, and utility coordination efforts.
• Manage cross-functional teams including design consultants, contractors, owners, and jurisdictional stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, risk registers, and development milestones.
• Facilitate decision-making by providing data-driven recommendations and project insights.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Job description

SLS Consultants is one of the fastest growing real estate development and construction consulting firms in the industry today. We are embedded in the ever-expanding Data Center market, as well as Advanced Manufacturing, Life Science, and Healthcare asset classes. As we enter the next phase of our growth journey, we are hyper focused on providing career opportunities for our employees, maintaining our quality and culture, and consistently delivering excellence for our clients. Join SLS to fast-track your career, maximize your industry impact, and partner with iconic brands to build the digital infrastructure of tomorrow!
We are currently looking for a Development Manager in Kansas City, MO to join our growing team! In this role, you will lead development and pre-development efforts for large-scale mission critical and advanced manufacturing projects from site selection through project execution. This is a full‑time, on‑site role based in Kansas City with relocation assistance available.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead development and pre-development activities for mission critical and advanced manufacturing projects from inception through delivery.
• Drive site evaluation, due diligence, entitlement, permitting, and utility coordination efforts.
• Manage cross-functional teams including design consultants, contractors, owners, and jurisdictional stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, risk registers, and development milestones.
• Facilitate decision-making by providing data-driven recommendations and project insights.
• Coordinate design, procurement, construction, and operational readiness activities.
• Identify project risks early and implement mitigation strategies to protect schedule and budget objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, municipalities, utility providers, and development partners.
• Support contract negotiations, consultant selection, and commercial project planning activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance project delivery standards and scalability.

Qualifications & Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in real estate development, project management, program management, construction management, or related fields.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale mission critical, data center, industrial, manufacturing, healthcare, or complex commercial projects.
• Strong understanding of development processes including site selection, due diligence, entitlements, design, and construction execution.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multiple stakeholders and manage projects through the full project lifecycle.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship management skills.

What SLS Offers You

• A premier compensation package designed to attract and retain top-tier industry talent.
• Participation in incentive programs tied to firm growth and milestones.
• Top-tier health, dental, and vision insurance coverage options.
• 401(k) retirement plan with an immediate corporate matching contribution.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays to support personal well-being.
• Monthly structured learning opportunities and professional development.

Location & Flexibility: Kansas City, MO. Full-time, on-site position with relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.