Manager of Development and Project Entitlements
JLL
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
JLL is seeking an experienced Manager of Development and Project Entitlements to provide subject matter expertise for retail development projects across the continental United States. This senior‑level role requires a minimum of 15 years in retail and commercial development, with deep expertise in entitlement processes, permitting, and stakeholder coordination.
The role leads client service excellence, strategic project management, and process optimization across teams including landlords,
Qualifications
- Minimum 15 years in retail/commercial development with entitlement experience.
- Strong knowledge of zoning, land use approvals, environmental permits and hearings.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and coordinating with landlords, developers and consultants.
Responsibilities
- Lead entitlement processes from inception to permit approval and utility provisioning.
- Coordinate with clients, internal teams, and external consultants to optimize schedules.
- Develop playbooks, KPI tracking, and performance reviews for project teams.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. Please Note: The posted locations above represent JLL’s key hiring markets for this opportunity. We are also open to considering qualified candidates located near these markets or within reasonable proximity for business travel and client support requirements. This role also requires up to 25% travel based on project and client needs.
JLL is seeking an experienced Manager of Development and Project Entitlements to provide subject matter expertise for retail development projects across the continental United States. This senior-level position requires a minimum of 15 years of experience in retail and commercial development, with deep expertise in entitlement processes, permitting, and stakeholder coordination. The successful candidate will drive exceptional client service delivery while optimizing project timelines and success rates for our banking sector client.
The Manager will deliver exceptional client service through technical expertise, effective communication, and strategic relationship management. This role serves as the primary liaison between JLL, the client, and various stakeholders throughout the development process, ensuring seamless project coordination and timely delivery of outcomes.
Leverage extensive retail development expertise to guide successful project delivery from inception through full permit authorization and utility provisioning. Provide strategic oversight of entitlement processes, including zoning applications, land use approvals, environmental permits, and utility coordination. Analyze and optimize existing processes while developing new methodologies, playbooks, and responsibility frameworks for internal teams and external consultants including landlords, developers, expeditors, architects, and civil engineers.
Develop and refine tracking mechanisms to identify project schedule acceleration opportunities while minimizing forecast error rates. Create and maintain comprehensive databases of permit expeditors, land use counsel, and subject matter experts. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for external consultants and monitor their performance, workload, and deliverables. Conduct root cause analyses on problematic submissions and provide peer reviews of due diligence reports.
Provide expert consultation on complex or problematic developments, offering troubleshooting support and technical guidance. Advise on landlord work letter lease negotiations, zoning requirements, environmental entitlements, and utility acquisition processes. Contribute to organizational growth by achieving financial objectives while meeting specific retail construction requirements.
Foster collaborative relationships between transaction, design, and construction teams. Contribute to training and development of team members in retail project implementation methodologies. Provide clear, concise reporting and communication between clients and project teams while continuously enhancing professional skills with focus on retail development trends.
Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or Business (advanced degree preferred, particularly in retail or commercial development). Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in civil engineering, architecture, or real estate development with strong emphasis on first and second-generation retail construction projects, both ground-up and in-line developments.
Comprehensive understanding of zoning laws, land use regulations, and entitlement processes across multiple jurisdictions. Deep knowledge of land use planning, zoning codes, variance and special use approvals, PUDs, and subdivision processes. Strong grasp of federal and local governmental authorities, building codes, environmental regulations, and laws affecting retail development. Understanding of land surveying, title work, and utility provider requirements.
Proven track record managing projects from lease negotiation through entitlement, permitting, construction, and close-out phases. Extensive knowledge of retail space design, construction requirements, and scheduling processes. Experience with due diligence of physical site conditions, soil remediation implementation, and storm water management. Proficiency in Excel and MS Project or equivalent industry scheduling software is required.
Demonstrated ability to monitor and direct multidisciplinary teams of architects, engineers, and land use counsel throughout entitlement processes. Familiarity with rezoning processes, development agreements, subdivision platting, PUD approvals, civil engineering, utility easements, and public hearing processes. Environmental experience with soil contamination, floodplain, and wetland mitigation is advantageous.
This role embodies JLL's commitment to Excellence by maintaining the highest standards of technical expertise and client service delivery. The position demonstrates Teamwork through collaborative leadership of multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder coordination. Integrity guides all interactions with governmental authorities, consultants, and clients, ensuring transparent and ethical project management. The role supports Sustainability through environmentally conscious development practices and regulatory compliance. Finally, the position exemplifies People First values by fostering team development, maintaining strong client relationships, and prioritizing clear communication throughout complex development processes.
Success in this role will be measured by accurate project milestone scheduling, reliable delivery of project completions, improved approval authorization durations, and maximized success rates across the retail development portfolio. The ideal candidate will demonstrate consistent ability to minimize project timelines while maintaining quality standards and regulatory compliance.
This position does not provide visa sponsorship.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Expected compensation for this position: 130,000.00 – 190,000.00 USD per year Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.
Location: On-site –Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL, Columbus, OH, Dallas, TX, NewYork, NY, Tampa, FL, Washington, DC
JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits include:
- 401(k) plan with matching company contributions
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care
- Paid parental leave at 100% of salary
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay
At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you’re pursuing.
Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep our personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely. For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement. For additional details please see our career site pages for each country. For candidates in the United States, please see a full copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity policy here.
Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at HRSCLeaves@jll.com. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL. Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment. Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest. Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate. California Residents only If you are a California resident as defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) please view our Supplemental Privacy Statement which describes your rights and disclosures about your personal information. If you are viewing this on a mobile device you may want to view the CCPA version on a larger device. Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified. At JLL, we give you the opportunity, knowledge and tools to own your success, because we value what makes each of us unique. We help our people thrive, grow meaningful careers and find a place where they belong. Together, we strive to be exceptional and shape a better world. For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500® company with operations in over 80 countries around the world, our employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAYSM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.
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