Director / Sr. Director Development

AVALON BAY COMMUNITIES, Inc.; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Employee stock purchase plan

20% apartment discount

Job summary

AVALON BAY COMMUNITIES, Inc. is seeking a Development Director / Senior Development Director to lead multifamily and mixed-use projects from initial evaluation through stabilization. This key position involves managing various stakeholders and guiding projects through every stage, ensuring successful delivery.

The ideal candidate has at least 7 years in real estate development, with proven expertise in leading deals and understanding financial and entitlement processes. Work offers comprehensive benefits including health, 401(k), and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years in real estate development.
• Direct experience leading development deals.
• Strong understanding of entitlements and project execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from site evaluation through stabilization.
• Manage architects, engineers, and consultants.
• Source and advance new development opportunities.

Skills

Real estate development

Project execution

Financial underwriting

Stakeholder management

Entitlements

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA or Master’s in Real Estate

Job description

Overview

AvalonBay Communities, Inc., an equity REIT, has a long‑term track record of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing distinctive apartment homes in some of the best U.S. markets, and delivering outsized, risk‑adjusted returns to shareholders. With equal parts experience and vision, we’ve established a leadership position rooted in our purpose of creating a better way to live and that is always focused on building value for the long term.

Creating a better way to live is the purpose that binds AvalonBay associates. We take that purpose seriously and expect you will as well. By focusing on collaboration, innovation, and taking ownership of our choices and actions, we act in ways that focus on creating value for our customers, investors and associates. Your positive, professional, and consistent personal interactions make AvalonBay a great place to work.

The Role

We’re looking for a Development Director / Senior Development Director to lead multiple multifamily and mixed‑use projects from initial deal evaluation through stabilization. This is a hands‑on role owning the full lifecycle—feasibility, entitlement, design, execution, and delivery.

You’ll work across internal teams and external partners to move deals forward, manage risk, and drive projects to successful outcomes.

What You’ll Do:

Own the project lifecycle

• Lead projects from site evaluation through stabilization
• Build and evaluate feasibility: entitlements, market, financials, environmental and engineering
• Prepare investment materials and recommendations for internal approvals (MIC)
• Manage contracts, risk, and overall deal strategy
• Deliver clear monthly project updates

Drive execution through partners

• Manage architects, engineers, planners, and other consultants
• Lead design process and ensure deliverables hit scope, schedule, and budget
• Oversee vendor selection and performance at an executive level

Lead cross‑functional teams

• Run asset teams across Development, Construction, Design, and Operations
• Align stakeholders and keep projects moving

Navigate entitlements

• Own the entitlement process end‑to‑end
• Work directly with municipalities, land use attorneys, and consultants
• Participate in hearings and approvals, manage timelines and risk

Source new deals

• Identify and help advance new development opportunities

What You Bring

• ~7+ years in real estate development
• Direct experience running development deals—not just supporting
• Strong understanding of entitlements, financial underwriting, and project execution
• Proven ability to manage consultants, vendors, and internal stakeholders
• Comfortable operating at both strategy level and in the weeds

Education

• Bachelor’s required
• MBA or Master’s in Real Estate (or similar) is a plus

Nice to have

• LEED or other industry certifications

How AvalonBay Supports You

We know that our teams are the beating heart of our success and we’re committed to showing our appreciation.

We offer:

Comprehensive benefits — health, dental and vision, 401(k) with company match, paid vacation and holidays, tuition reimbursement, an employee stock purchase plan and more. Click on Benefits (https://jobs.avalonbay.com/benefits) for information.

Growth based on achievement and promotion from within.

Associate recognition (a company‑wide recognition program that celebrates associate efforts and successes in contributing to the overall success of the organization – including destination awards, ‘AvalonBay’s Very Best’ recognition program and others!).

A 20% discount on our incredible apartment homes.

A culture built on purpose and our core values -A Commitment to Integrity,A Spirit of Caring, andA Focus on Continuous Improvement.

Additional Info

AvalonBay is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We believe that in order to achieve our purpose of creating a better way to live, we must recruit, develop and retain associates with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives and create an environment that encourages all voices to be heard, understood and appreciated. With this we know we can do great things.

AvalonBay makes employment decisions without regard to a person’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including characteristics or testing), citizenship status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by the law.

For California residents, if you elect to apply to AvalonBay you accept the AvalonBay California Personnel Privacy Notice (https://www.avaloncommunities.com/california-personnel-privacy-notice/)