Development Manager (Luxury Residential)

Seneca Group; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

Seneca Group in Arlington, VA is seeking a Development Manager/Senior Project Manager to lead luxury residential projects from acquisition to occupancy. You will manage scope, schedule, budget, and risk while coordinating with architects, engineers, and senior leadership.

Requirements include 10+ years in CRE development, 5+ years directing luxury projects over $40M, and a willingness to travel 10–25%. This is a full-time on-site role with competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Real Estate, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10+ years of demonstrated excellence in commercial real estate development management, project management, design, engineering, and/or construction.
• Minimum 5+ years directly managing luxury residential developments valued at $40M+.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day execution of one or more real estate development projects from concept through completion.
• Define technical and financial project scope and manage approved development strategies, budgets, schedules, and delivery plans.
• Prepare and manage detailed project schedules and development budgets, including forecasting and cash flow tracking.
• Oversee entitlement, permitting, and agency coordination processes.
• Manage design teams, architects, engineers, and specialty consultants.
• Review cost estimates, value engineering options, and contractor proposals.
• Negotiate and administer consultant and construction contracts with senior leadership.
• Provide construction management oversight including cost, schedule, quality, and risk control.
• Lead project meetings with clients and stakeholders; communicate decisions and risks to senior leadership.
• Maintain regular attendance on-site and align project execution with client objectives.

Skills

Project leadership

Multidisciplinary teams

Delegation

Performance metrics

Problem solving

Communication

Time management

Organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree

10+ years CRE development

5+ years luxury residential

Job description

At Cumming Group, you will work on some of the world's most exciting projects in a dynamic environment where your success is measured by the impact you make. We are one of the fastest-growing project and cost management consultancies in the United States, and the largest pure-play advisory in North America. With over 70 offices globally, an extremely diverse project portfolio, and double-digit year-over-year revenue growth, the opportunities to make your mark are limitless!

This position is with Seneca Group, a Cumming Group affiliate, who delivers top-tier real estate advisory and development management services on projects ranging from 10,000 to over 1 million square feet across corporate office, education, luxury residential, civic and cultural, healthcare, and life sciences across North America and select EMEA and APAC markets.

As part of Seneca Group’s continued growth, we are seeking a skilled Development Manager based in our DMV office in Arlington, VA. This role will play a key part in providing superior client service, delivering exceptional projects, and supporting the continued growth of the firm. This role will play a key part in providing superior client service, delivering exceptional projects, and supporting the continued growth of the firm.

If you’re looking to join a team of exceptional people working with recognized clients on high-profile, complex projects - and make a real impact - we’d love to meet you.

Overview

The Development Manager/Senior Project Manager serves as the day-to-day lead for one or more real estate development projects of medium-to-large size or complexity, working under the direction of an Associate Principal and/or Principal. This role is specifically geared toward leading the development and delivery of single-family ultra-luxury residential and estate residential projects from acquisition through occupancy. This role integrates development management and project management responsibilities, overseeing projects from early planning and entitlement through design, construction, and closeout. The Development Manager/Senior Project Manager is responsible for managing scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk at the project level, while coordinating internal teams, consultants, and contractors. The role supports senior leadership in client relationships, decision-making, and overall project strategy, and represents Seneca Group’s commitment to excellence and value creation for world-class clients.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day execution of one or more real estate development projects, or multiple projects/programs, from concept through completion, under the direction of an Associate Principal and/or Principal.
• Support the definition of technical and financial project scope and manage execution of approved development strategies, budgets, schedules, and delivery plans.
• Prepare, maintain, and manage detailed project schedules and development budgets, including forecasting and cash flow tracking.
• Oversee entitlement, permitting, and agency coordination processes.
• Manage design teams, including architects, engineers, and specialty consultants.
• Review and evaluate cost estimates, value engineering options, and contractor proposals.
• Support the negotiation and administration of consultant and construction contracts, in coordination with the Associate Principal and/or Principal.
• Provide construction management oversight, including cost, schedule, quality, and risk control.
• Facilitate and lead day-to-day project meetings with clients, internal teams, and external stakeholders, escalating key decisions, risks, and issues to senior leadership as appropriate.
• Serve as the primary day-to-day point of contact for the client, supporting the Associate Principal and/or Principal in overall client leadership, strategic communication, and decision-making.
• Proactively identify and resolve project-level risks, conflicts, and issues.
• Promote opportunities for repeat business through effective project delivery, communication, relationship management, and collaboration with senior leadership.
• Achieve client objectives by aligning project execution with development goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Maintain regular attendance during normal business hours, with on-site presence at the office and project sites as required.
• The Development Manager reports to an Associate Principal and/or Principal and collaborates closely with senior leadership to align project execution with client objectives and firm strategy.

Knowledge & Skills Required

• Strong ability to compile, analyze, interpret, and integrate complex project and development information.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing multidisciplinary teams toward shared goals.
• Ability to delegate effectively, provide clear direction, and deliver ongoing feedback.
• Proven experience monitoring performance metrics and adjusting strategies as needed.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to distinguish root causes from symptoms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to independently manage projects in dynamic or compressed timeframes.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance competing priorities and deadlines.

Preferred Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Real Estate, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10+ years of demonstrated excellence in commercial real estate development management, project management, design, engineering, and/or construction.
• Minimum 5+ years directly managing luxury residential developments valued at $40M+.
• Experience delivering large-scale, complex development projects.
• Technical or sector-specific expertise in ultra-high-end custom residential developments.
• Experience working with premier architecture and interior design firms and discerning private clients.
• Track record managing projects with exceptional architectural and design quality requirements.
• Experience in DMV area luxury residential market preferred.
• Strong project experience and professional relationships within the assigned region.
• Willingness to travel domestically (approximately 10–25%).

Cumming Group is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity in its personnel policies and practices. It is Cumming Group’s policy to recruit, hire, train and promote Team Members and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, registered domestic partner status, genetic information, sexual preference, sexual orientation, gender (including gender expression and gender identity), pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions, including breastfeeding), military service, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, veteran status or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. All such decisions are based on (1) individual merit, qualifications, and competence as they relate to the particular position, and (2) promotion of the principle of equal employment opportunity.

All other terms and conditions of employment, such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoff, return from layoff, training, education, and social and recreational programs, are administered without regard to the characteristics described above. To this end, Cumming Group complies with all provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, all of the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor, and all similar state and local laws.

The salary range for this full-time role is $146,400.00-$204,933.36 per year. Ranges are determined based on the position, geography, client and industry experience and level, and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range reflects base salary only, and not the total compensation package. Cumming Group reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range, depending on a candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications, including client requirements.

In addition to base salary, Cumming Group offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k)
• 401(k) Matching
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Short and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program