Forward Planning Manager, Land Development

Sekisui House U.S., Inc.; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health, dental & vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off & holidays

Automobile allowance

Job summary

Sekisui House U.S., Inc. seeks an experienced planning professional to manage entitlement activities from concept through approval. You will coordinate with municipalities, consultants, and internal teams to ensure regulatory compliance and on-time timelines.

Main responsibilities include preparing submission packages, leading external planners, and guiding complex feasibility analyses for residential development projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Minimum 5 years in planning/entitlement; 9–11 years acceptable.
• Residential construction or homebuilding experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, submit, and track entitlement and planning documents (zoning, maps, design reviews, env reports).
• Coordinate with municipalities, regulators, and utilities for approvals.
• Lead external consultants to align deliverables with objectives, regs, and timelines.
• Analyze planning, zoning, and environmental regs to assess feasibility and risks.
• Collaborate with land acquisition, development, construction, design, and operations teams.
• Prepare reports, entitlement schedules, and planning analyses for leadership.
• Identify process improvements to enhance planning efficiency.

Skills

Land Use Planning

Entitlement Procedures

Zoning Regulations

Regulatory Compliance

Project Management

GIS Tools

Communication & Negotiation

Analytical Thinking

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning, engineering, architecture, environmental studies, geography, public policy, or related field

Tools

GIS Software

Planning Software

Project Tracking Systems

Environmental Reporting

Job description

Overview

The Sekisui House U.S. team is a proud builder of the SHAWOOD, Richmond American Homes, Woodside Homes, Holt Homes, Hubble Homes, and Chesmar Homes brands. We take great pride in being a member of Sekisui House, a global leader in homebuilding. This impressive, 60+ year old company has built over 2.6 million new homes designed to reflect and adapt to the changing needs of today's homebuyers. Drawing on Sekisui House's unparalleled history and superior service, we commit ourselves to a future where people around the world can live joyful lives in homes that are safe, secure, stylish and comfortable.

Positive Work Environment & Culture

• Collaborative Team Culture: Join a supportive environment where teamwork and the open exchange of ideas are highly valued.
• Team Engagement: Participate in a variety of team-building events and social gatherings, such as company outings, holiday celebrations, and regular office socials. We support a healthy work-life balance and recognize the importance of time outside of work commitments.

Overview & Position Summary

This role manages key planning and entitlement activities that support the advancement of residential development projects from concept through approval. The position works independently to coordinate with municipalities, consultants, and cross-functional teams to ensure regulatory requirements are met and project timelines remain on track. It applies advanced knowledge of planning processes to solve moderately complex issues and guide decision-making that impacts team results.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the preparation, submission, and tracking of entitlement and planning documents, including zoning applications, tentative maps, design reviews, and environmental reports.
• Coordinate with municipalities, regulatory agencies, and utility providers to obtain necessary approvals and resolve project-related issues.
• Lead the work of external consultants - such as planners, engineers, architects, and environmental specialists, to ensure deliverables align with project objectives, regulatory requirements, and timelines.
• Analyze planning, zoning, and environmental regulations to determine project feasibility and identify constraints or risks that may impact development.
• Collaborate with internal teams across land acquisition, development, construction, design, and operations to align project assumptions and mitigate planning challenges.
• Prepare reports, entitlement schedules, project status updates, and planning analyses for leadership review and decisionmaking.
• Identify and recommend process improvements and best practices that enhance planning efficiency and departmental performance.

Required

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in planning, engineering, architecture, environmental studies, geography, public policy, real estate development, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in planning, entitlement, community development, or related fields; or 9–11 years of equivalent experience.

Preferred

• Experience within the residential construction or homebuilding industry.

Skills & Competencies

• Broad knowledge of land use planning, entitlement procedures, zoning regulations, and environmental requirements.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple planning efforts simultaneously.
• Ability to evaluate complex planning documents, engineering drawings, and regulatory guidelines.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills for interactions with agencies, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, applying past experience and judgment to resolve difficult issues.
• Proficiency with planning software, GIS tools, and project tracking systems.
• Strong organizational abilities and attention to detail in managing schedules and documentation.
• Ability to influence team practices and approaches within the planning function and across related disciplines.
• Collaborative working style with the ability to drive alignment across cross-functional partners.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior staff members.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in a general office environment with periodic visits to municipal offices, public meetings, consultant offices, and land or development sites. Site visits may involve exposure to outdoor conditions, uneven terrain, and active development environments. Occasional regional travel may be required to support planning and entitlement activities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods during office tasks and meetings.
• Ability to walk undeveloped or partially developed sites with uneven terrain.
• Ability to lift and carry materials up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and planning tools.

Automobile Allowance Requirement

This position is eligible for an automobile allowance. Candidates must maintain a valid driver's license, personal vehicle, and automobile insurance meeting company coverage requirements. Proof of insurance will be required before employment.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

• Competitive Compensation: We provide a competitive compensation structure that rewards performance and results.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive coverage includes medical, dental, and vision insurance options, as well as Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Financial Future: Access a 401(k) retirement savings plan.
• Time Off: Our time-off benefits include vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, and other leave types (bereavement, jury duty, FMLA, military leave).
• Insurance & Protection: Company-provided life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage are included. An employee assistance program (EAP) is also available.
• Exclusive Perks & Discounts
• Homeownership & Financing: Take advantage of exclusive home purchase and financing discounts.
• Pet Insurance: Enjoy discounted group pet insurance rates.

Sekisui House U.S., Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.