Development Manager

lifetime; United States; On-site; USD 105,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Club discounts

Life Time membership

Job summary

Life Time is seeking a Development Manager to drive the growth of luxury health and fitness club destinations across the continental United States and parts of Canada. You will lead acquisitions, tenant improvements, and ground-up development from feasibility to turnover.

You will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage budgets and schedules, and ensure successful club openings with strong leadership and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Planning, or related field.
• 5–7 years of experience in commercial real estate, land development, or related field.
• Self-starter with a strong sense of determination.
• Strategic thinker and problem solver.
• Effective communicator and confident public speaker.
• Leader and relationship builder.
• Continuous learner adaptable to change.
• Open to travel for site visits and meetings.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate feasibility of new club opportunities and support the Real Estate team with due diligence and timelines.
• Lead due diligence on prospective sites, including zoning, environmental, and surveys; identify risks and propose mitigations.
• Guide Business Planning with cross-functional teams and present stage-gate decisions on scope, schedule, and budget.
• Direct planning and design professionals; draft RFPs and manage contracts with zoning attorneys and engineers.
• Obtain zoning and entitlement approvals, represent the project at public meetings, and build community relationships.
• Negotiate work letters and site development agreements; manage contractual deadlines and closings.

Skills

Self-starter

Strategic thinking

Communication

Leadership

Negotiation

Problem solving

Adaptability

Travel willingness

Project prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Real Estate / Civil Engineering / Construction Management / Urban Planning or related field

Job description

The Real Estate Team is a significant part of the growth engine of our company. We thrive on finding the best property and markets to expand our portfolio of Athletic Resort destinations. We work side by side with our Team Members in the Property Development group by leveraging continual collaboration throughout the life cycle of each project. When you join our team, you are joining a group of fun and talented people. We offer an incredible benefits package, generous club discounts, and a fully subsidised Signature Life Time membership.

Position Summary

The Development Manager is the driving force of the Property Development Team that is responsible for growing and maintaining our network of luxury health and fitness destinations across the continental United States and parts of Canada. The Development Manager leads club acquisitions, tenant improvements, and ground-up development projects from initial feasibility to mobilisation and supports the project from construction to turnover to operations. No two projects are the same, and the Development Manager is trusted to bring the right delivery strategy to each one and see it through to a best-in-class club opening.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Feasibility & Evaluation: Evaluates the feasibility of new club opportunities by completing preliminary due diligence, estimating project timelines, reviewing existing conditions, drafting work letters, and providing recommendations and negotiation assistance to the Real Estate team.
• Due Diligence: Leads and determines all due diligence scope for prospective sites, including title and survey review, geotechnical, environmental, structural, and zoning. Thoughtfully identifies, articulates, and proposes solutions to mitigate any potential project risks established during due diligence.
• Business Planning: Leads the internal cross-functional team through the Business Planning process by setting clear parameters and managing project timelines. Prepares and delivers concise presentations at stage gate meetings that drive effective decision making from leadership on scope, schedule, and budget.
• Consultant Budget and Contract Management: Directs planning and design professionals, drafts RFPs and manages contracts with zoning attorneys, consulting engineers, and landscape architects to ensure they are incentivised to stay on schedule and on budget.
• Entitlements & Approvals: Obtains all zoning and entitlement approvals and permits necessary for the construction and operation of Life Time clubs. Builds relationships with the community as a representative of the developer and operator through neighbourhood meetings and local events. Represents and markets both the project and Life Time at governmental meetings, public hearings, and stakeholder meetings.
• Real Estate Agreements & Closings: Negotiates Work Letters, Site Development Agreements, and Declarations alongside the Real Estate Team. Tracks and manages contractual deadlines and deliverables once executed. Manages the real estate closing process, including contractual obligations and successful delivery of all closing documents for property purchases.
• Design Oversight: Regularly reviews design progress to ensure it aligns with the scope and budget set during Business Planning. Verifies design drawing schedule aligns with contractual dates and approvals timelines.
• Pre-Construction & Mobilisation: Assist with ensuring scope is set for RFPs and contracting. Review and confirm project GIC for leadership approval prior to construction. Ensure all permits are in hand, fees are paid, and sellers/landlord's work is complete in time for mobilisation.
• Construction & Turnover to Operations: Track scope, schedule, and budget changes through monthly OACs Meetings and provide report outs. Assist with resolving design, permit, or inspection issues. Coordinate with the new club operating team for a seamless transition into operations.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Real Estate, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Planning, or related field.
• 5-7 years of experience in commercial real estate, land development, or related field.
• Self-starter with a strong sense of determination
• Strategic thinker and problem solver
• Effective communicator and confident public speaker
• Leader and relationship builder
• Continuous learner that is adaptable to change
• Enjoys the agility of a fast-paced environment
• Proven track record of obtaining entitlements
• Experienced negotiator and contracts manager
• Ability to prioritise a broad set of responsibilities across many projects and processes
• Open to travel for site visits, stakeholder meetings, and public hearings. Usually no more than twice per month for 48 hours or less.

Location

This position is located at our Corporate headquarters in Chanhassen, MN. Remote candidates will not be considered.

Pay

This is a salaried position starting at $105,000.00 (or applicable minimum salary, if higher) and pays up to $145,000.00, based on experience and qualif