Senior Development Manager

Stiles; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Stiles, a Fort Lauderdale-based leader in commercial real estate for 75+ years, is seeking a Senior Development Manager to lead complex retail development projects from due diligence through turnover.

You will oversee budgets, schedules, coordinate internal and external teams, and navigate governmental approvals to align with ownership goals. Travel to project sites is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred.
• Experience in retail real estate development lifecycle.
• Ability to travel to project sites, including out-of-state travel.
• Proficiency with MS Office; Argus or similar analytical tools preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage retail development projects throughout the development lifecycle, including due diligence, entitlements, design, permitting, construction, and closeout.
• Coordinate due diligence materials and regulatory approvals.
• Research and manage entitlements and governmental approvals.
• Coordinate architects, engineers, consultants, contractors and other project partners.
• Represent ownership in contract negotiations with design and construction partners.
• Prepare and submit plans for building permits and regulatory approvals.
• Develop and manage project budgets, schedules, and feasibility analyses.
• Coordinate financial underwriting with Stiles Financial Services.
• Facilitate construction pricing and oversee turnover to Asset Management.
• Collaborate with internal teams across Architecture, Construction, Leasing/Marketing, and Property Management.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Organization

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in real estate or related field

Master’s degree in real estate or related field preferred

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Project

Argus or similar tools

Job description

For over 75 years, Stiles has been a leader in commercial real estate across the Southeast. Headquartered in downtown Fort Lauderdale, we’re a full-service firm with expertise in development, construction, architecture, realty, and property management - plus specialties in financing, acquisitions, and repositioning. With over 50 million square feet of projects delivered, our award-winning work has helped shape skylines and communities alike. Be part of a team that invests, builds, and manages with purpose.

About the Role

Stiles is seeking a Senior Development Manager to join our Retail Development team. This role will lead and coordinate complex retail real estate development projects from initial due diligence and entitlements through design, permitting, construction, and final turnover.

Working from the owner’s perspective, the Senior Development Manager will oversee project budgets and schedules, coordinate internal and external project teams, navigate governmental approvals, and help ensure projects are delivered in alignment with the financial and strategic goals of the ownership group.

What You’ll Do

• Manage retail development projects throughout the development lifecycle, including due diligence, entitlements, design, permitting, construction, and project closeout.
• Coordinate and review due diligence materials including surveys, environmental reports, soil borings, construction documents, zoning conditions, restrictive covenants, and association documents.
• Research and manage site entitlements, regulatory requirements, and governmental approvals.
• Coordinate architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and other project partners throughout design and construction.
• Represent ownership in contract negotiations with design professionals, general contractors, subcontractors, and other project partners.
• Manage the preparation and submission of plans and documentation required for building permits and other regulatory approvals.
• Represent ownership before governmental and regulatory bodies, including Development Review Committees, Planning & Zoning Boards, City Councils, and City/County Commissions.
• Develop and manage project budgets, schedules, financial feasibility analyses, and development timelines.
• Coordinate financial underwriting and project feasibility analysis in partnership with Stiles Financial Services.
• Facilitate construction pricing from preliminary estimates through final bids.
• Oversee construction through completion, Certificate of Occupancy, closeout, and turnover to Property and Asset Management.
• Partner closely with internal teams including Architecture, Construction, Leasing/Marketing, Property Management, Asset Management, and Tenant Improvements.
• Maintain strong relationships with consultants, contractors, vendors, clients, municipalities, and project partners.
• Support partnership reporting, including monthly project progress and variance reporting.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in real estate or a related field preferred.
• 5–7+ years of experience managing retail real estate development projects.
• Strong understanding of the full development lifecycle, including due diligence, entitlements, permitting, design, construction, and project closeout.
• Experience managing project budgets, schedules, consultants, contractors, and governmental approval processes.
• Ability to evaluate project feasibility, development risks, costs, and timelines.
• Strong communication, negotiation, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively across multiple internal teams and external partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel and Project; experience with Argus or similar analytical tools preferred.
• Ability to travel to project sites, including occasional out-of-state travel.