Front-End Planning & Permitting Lead

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 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