Forward Planning Manager

Neal Communities of Southwest Florida, Inc.; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid time off & holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Employer-paid life insurance

Disability insurance

Pet insurance

Employee wellness program

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Neal Communities is seeking an experienced Forward Planning Manager in Sarasota, FL to lead front-end planning, entitlements, and permitting for land development projects. You will coordinate with engineers, planners, regulators and internal teams to keep projects moving forward, manage timelines and budgets, and drive value engineering and optimization.

Five to seven years in land development and entitlement planning are preferred, with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Business

Qualifications

• Five to seven years in land development and entitlement planning.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Business Accounting, or Construction Management.
• Proven experience in land development management, including site selection, due diligence, entitlements, and construction oversight.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to address complex development challenges effectively.
• Effective organizational, communication, collaboration and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee all development agreements, architectural approvals, preliminary and final plats, civil construction plans, development permits, landscape plans and utility company designs
• Lead the permitting process to expedite approvals and resolve issues with governing authorities, including local, state, and federal Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs)
• Coordinate and direct professional consultants (engineers, planners, landscape architects, environmental, legal) to ensure timely and accurate deliverables
• Develop and maintain project timelines for all front-end approvals, ensuring alignment with overall development schedules
• Identify and implement value engineering opportunities to optimize design and reduce costs
• Drive cost savings through supplier negotiations, rebates, and direct procurement strategies
• Collaborate closely with Land Development, Construction, Finance, and Operations teams to ensure seamless project transitions
• Monitor budgets related to planning, engineering, and permitting activities
• Proactively identify risks and implement mitigation strategies to keep projects on schedule
• Exercise discretion and independent judgment in coordinating project priorities, consultant deliverables, regulatory responses, schedules, budgets, and recommendations to leadership
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Project management

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Budgeting

Computer literacy

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Business Accounting, or Construction Management

Job description

Neal Communities is proud to be recognized as the 2025 Top Workplace in Sarasota & Manatee Counties! We’re seeking an experienced and strategic Forward Planning Manager to lead the front-end planning and permitting efforts for our land development projects. In this role, you’ll oversee entitlements, permitting, consultant coordination, development approvals, and project timelines while partnering closely with internal teams and regulatory agencies to keep projects moving forward efficiently. If you have a strong background in land development, entitlement planning, and project management, along with a passion for driving results, solving complex challenges, and delivering high-quality communities, APPLY TODAY!

What You'll Love About Working At Neal Communities

• The People! We take tremendous pride in making a positive difference in our team's lives. Our employees are not just an asset to Neal Communities and its customers; they are essential to the success of our business
• Outstanding Benefits - Health Care - Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug Coverage
• Excellent Compensation Package
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance
• Long & Short-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(K) with Company Matching Contributions
• PTO & Paid Holidays
• Employer Paid ID Theft Protection
• Employee Home Purchase Discount Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Service Awards
• Vendor Discount Program

What You'll Do

• Manage and oversee all development agreements, architectural approvals, preliminary and final plats, civil construction plans, development permits, landscape plans and utility company designs
• Lead the permitting process to expedite approvals and resolve issues with governing authorities, including local, state, and federal Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs)
• Coordinate and direct professional consultants (engineers, planners, landscape architects, environmental, legal) to ensure timely and accurate deliverables
• Develop and maintain project timelines for all front-end approvals, ensuring alignment with overall development schedules
• Identify and implement value engineering opportunities to optimize design and reduce costs
• Drive cost savings through supplier negotiations, rebates, and direct procurement strategies
• Collaborate closely with Land Development, Construction, Finance, and Operations teams to ensure seamless project transitions
• Monitor budgets related to planning, engineering, and permitting activities
• Proactively identify risks and implement mitigation strategies to keep projects on schedule
• Exercise discretion and independent judgment in coordinating project priorities, consultant deliverables, regulatory responses, schedules, budgets, and recommendations to leadership
• Perform other duties as assigned

All employees will support the organization's mission and vision by exhibiting the following behaviors: excellence and competence, collaboration and innovation, respect, commitment to our community, accountability, and ownership.

What You Bring

• Five to seven years in land development and entitlement planning in the home-building industry
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Business Accounting, or Construction Management
• Proven experience in land development management, including site selection, due diligence, entitlements, and construction oversight
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to address complex development challenges effectively
• Effective organizational, communication, collaboration and leadership skills
• Computer proficiency
• Detail-oriented with a strong sense of urgency

Physical Requirements

• General sedentary work requiring the use of office equipment such as computers, copiers, printers, scanners and telephones
• The ability to lift, carry, push and pull 20/60/100 pounds occasionally
• The ability to move safely over uneven terrain.
• The ability to bend, squat, climb stairs and lift frequently
• Continuous walking, standing and moving about
• Repetitive movement of hands, arms and legs
• Works in various outdoor weather conditions

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace.

Neal Communities and its affiliated entities work with a limited group of approved recruiting partners under a signed agreement. We do not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate referrals, or inquiries from other third-party agencies. Any resumes submitted without a current, signed recruiting agreement in place will be treated as direct applications, and Neal Communities and its affiliates will not pay any associated fees.

This policy applies to all job postings across NealCareers.com and any other platforms where Neal Communities or its affiliated companies advertise open positions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.