Director of Development

Schell Brothers; Rehoboth Beach (DE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Schell Brothers is seeking a Director of Site Development in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, to lead land development and infrastructure delivery for various communities. In this role, you will ensure projects are completed on time and within budget while maintaining quality standards.

The ideal candidate has a background in civil engineering or construction management, with over 7 years in real estate development, including team leadership and budget management. Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in real estate or land development.
• At least 3 years in a leadership or director-level capacity.

Responsibilities

• Direct all site development activities, from due diligence and design through construction.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Project Managers.
• Develop and manage project budgets to ensure cost-effective delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Budget Management

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Ocean Atlantic, a proud member of the Schell Brothers family of companies, is seeking a Director of Site Development to lead and oversee all aspects of land development and infrastructure delivery across our growing portfolio of communities. This leadership role is responsible for guiding a team in the planning and construction of new developments - ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

The ideal candidate is personable and a respected manager of people, a strategic thinker with hands‑on development experience, and is capable of balancing the big picture of site strategy with the day‑to‑day execution of multiple complex projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Direct all site development activities, from due diligence and design through construction and project closeout.
• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Real Estate Development Project Managers.
• Budget and Schedule Oversight: Develop and manage project budgets, forecasts, and schedules to ensure on‑time and cost‑effective delivery of all infrastructure.
• Contractor and Vendor Management: Oversee bidding, contract negotiation, and performance management for all site work contractors, including utilities, roadways, drainage, grading, landscaping, and amenities.
• Risk & Quality Control: Proactively identify challenges, implement solutions, and uphold quality standards across all job sites.
• Performance Reporting: Establish and maintain consistent project reporting and data analytics to track progress, costs, and contractor performance.
• Regulatory & Utility Coordination: Work closely with municipalities, agencies, and utility companies to secure approvals, permits, and ensure compliance throughout the development process.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive innovation in site development processes, evaluating new technologies, materials, and methods to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Real Estate Development, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in real estate or land development, with at least 3 years in a leadership or director-level capacity.
• Proven success managing large-scale residential or mixed-use developments from concept to completion.
• Strong understanding of site design, permitting, and construction processes.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Advanced proficiency in project management tools and Microsoft Office applications.
• Financial acumen with experience developing and managing multimillion-dollar budgets.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate civil, architectural, and structural plans.