Development Manager

Macdonald & Company; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Macdonald & Company seeks an experienced Development Manager in New York, NY to lead projects from acquisition through stabilization. You will own design, preconstruction, and construction phases, driving budgets, schedules, and quality across multifamily, active adult, and luxury mixed-use projects.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in real estate development or construction, with hands‑on experience in cast‑in‑place concrete mid‑rise/high‑rise work, and a track record delivering complex

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in real estate development, construction, or engineering.
• Experience delivering cast‑in‑place concrete mid‑rise and high‑rise projects strongly preferred.
• Track record leading ground‑up multifamily, condo, or senior living projects from preconstruction through occupancy.
• Deep knowledge of construction means and methods, sequencing, structural systems, building envelope, and MEP coordination.
• Expertise in construction contracts (AIA, ConsensusDocs), cost estimating, change order review, and GMP negotiation.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and schedules on projects of $50M+ in total development cost.
• Engineers with structural or civil background and relevant project experience encouraged to apply.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, and communication skills, with ability to direct contractors and investors.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Willingness to travel regularly to project sites

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from site acquisition and due diligence through entitlements, design, construction, closeout, and lease‑up.
• Oversee preconstruction, including constructability and value‑engineering reviews, structural system selection, and coordination of design documents through permit and bid sets.
• Develop, manage, and own project budgets and schedules; track contingency, forecast cost‑to‑complete, and report variances to leadership and capital partners.
• Lead general contractor procurement, bid leveling, and negotiation of GMP and stipulated sum contracts, including schedules of values, allowances, and general conditions.
• Review and negotiate change orders, pay applications, and draw requests; administer contracts and resolve claims and disputes.
• Monitor construction progress, quality, and safety through regular site visits; manage third‑party inspections, testing, and lender construction monitors.
• Manage architects, structural, MEP, civil, and geotechnical consultants, and other members of the design team.
• Coordinate permits, approvals, and utility agreements with municipalities and agencies.
• Support underwriting, financial modeling, and construction financing efforts, including lender and investor reporting

Skills

Real estate development

Construction leadership

Budgeting & scheduling

Leadership & communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural Engineering | Construction Management | Architecture | Finance | Real Estate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our client is a real estate investment firm established in 2018. The firm seeks to invest in high-growth, niche suburbs throughout the Sunbelt region of the U.S., where population and job gains outperform the national average. They develop Class A multifamily and active adult communities for middle-class renters in desirable suburbs at an affordable price point, and luxury mixed-use projects in the Mountain Markets.

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site role for a Development Manager located in New York, NY. The Development Manager will lead projects from acquisition through stabilization, with primary ownership of the design, preconstruction, and construction phases. The ideal candidate is a development professional with extensive hands‑on construction experience, preferably on cast‑in‑place concrete mid‑rise and high‑rise projects, who can drive budgets, schedules, and quality across a growing pipeline of multifamily, active adult, and luxury mixed‑use projects. The role works closely with leadership, capital partners, lenders, architects, engineers, general contractors, and municipal officials, and is expected to represent the firm with authority on every aspect of project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead projects from site acquisition and due diligence through entitlements, design, construction, closeout, and lease‑up
• Oversee preconstruction, including constructability and value‑engineering reviews, structural system selection, and coordination of design documents through permit and bid sets
• Develop, manage, and own project budgets and schedules; track contingency, forecast cost‑to‑complete, and report variances to leadership and capital partners
• Lead general contractor procurement, bid leveling, and negotiation of GMP and stipulated sum contracts, including schedules of values, allowances, and general conditions
• Review and negotiate change orders, pay applications, and draw requests; administer contracts and resolve claims and disputes
• Monitor construction progress, quality, and safety through regular site visits; manage third‑party inspections, testing, and lender construction monitors
• Manage architects, structural, MEP, civil, and geotechnical consultants, and other members of the design team
• Coordinate permits, approvals, and utility agreements with municipalities and agencies
• Support underwriting, financial modeling, and construction financing efforts, including lender and investor reporting

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in real estate development, construction, or engineering
• Demonstrated experience delivering cast‑in‑place concrete mid‑rise and high‑rise projects strongly preferred (post‑tensioned slabs, podium structures, and concrete frame systems)
• Track record of leading ground‑up multifamily, condo, or senior living projects from preconstruction through certificate of occupancy
• Deep working knowledge of construction means and methods, sequencing, structural systems, building envelope, and MEP coordination
• Expertise in construction contracts (AIA, ConsensusDocs), cost estimating, change order review, and GMP negotiation
• Proven ability to manage budgets and schedules on projects of $50M+ in total development cost
• Strong financial acumen, with the ability to interpret pro formas, construction draws, and project feasibility
• Engineers with a structural or civil background and the project experience above are encouraged to apply
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to direct contractors and consultants and present to investors and lenders
• Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Finance, Real Estate, or a related field; advanced degree or PE/PMP a plus
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Willingness to travel regularly to project sites