Senior Development Services Manager

Apple Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 179,000 - 268,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Employee stock programs

Educational expense reimbursement

Relocation assistance available

Discounts on Apple products

Job summary

Apple Inc. in San Jose seeks a Senior Development Service Manager to lead pre-construction activities, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize entitlement outcomes across corporate and retail real estate projects.

You will coordinate with Legal, Government Affairs, Design, and Real Estate teams, navigate city processes, and mentor staff while driving risk mitigation and efficient permitting. This role offers exposure to high-impact developments with a focus on life-safety and sustainable

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, architecture, civil engineering, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years responsible experience in city planning, development permit management, municipal economic development or administration, architecture, or engineering; working with technology companies/city jurisdiction, and office/commercial building planning/design experiences useful
• 10+ to 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in municipal planning, community development, city administration, or corporate real estate development; director/assistant director level experience highly desired.
• Proven track record directing complex land-use entitlements, environmental review processes (e.g., CEQA), and development agreements through planning commissions, city councils, and regional regulatory agencies.

Responsibilities

• Direct end-to-end regulatory entitlement, environmental review, and permitting strategies across high-impact real estate development projects and portfolio initiatives.
• Cultivate and navigate strategic relationships with agency heads, senior government officials, design partners, and executive project leadership to align objectives and mitigate approval risks.
• Institutionalize high-level communication frameworks and advocacy paths with local and regional jurisdictions to resolve systemic roadblocks and position Apple as a trusted partner.
• Lead critical due diligence reviews and land-use feasibility analyses for global real estate acquisitions, translating regulatory risks into actionable mitigation strategies for leadership.
• Champion cross-agency negotiations, public hearings, and jurisdictional alignment sessions to resolve complex project comments and unblock key milestones.
• Deliver advanced building and fire code analysis, serving as a trusted resource to architect innovative compliance solutions, technical guidance, and interpretive positions across projects.
• Direct and negotiate complex Alternative Materials and Methods (code exception) strategies and applications to enable innovative architectural design while maintaining life-safety standards.
• Drive operational excellence across the team by establishing standards, review workflows, and training programs, while mentoring team members to elevate capability and consistency.
• Oversee comprehensive audit programs and risk-mitigation frameworks to proactively ensure continuous code compliance across occupied facilities and campus developments.
• Partner as a senior development advisor to cross-functional Apple organizations (including Legal, Government Affairs, and Design) to deliver unified, efficient permitting and regulatory outcomes.
• Partner with team leadership on strategic operational planning, resource prioritization, and departmental roadmaps, serving as an escalation point and deputy when needed.

Skills

Regulatory entitlement

Land-use planning

Stakeholder management

Policy analysis

Leadership & mentorship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related field

Master’s degree or relevant professional certifications (AICP)

Job description

San Jose, California, United States Corporate Functions

In Places, we don’t sit back and let things happen; we make things happen, and we do this in service to all Apple employees and customers. Our team is a diverse and nimble group that manages Apple’s retail stores, workplaces, and workplace services. We develop and manage Apple’s global real estate portfolio, lead all related capital construction projects, provide outstanding facilities and site services, develop and lead sustainability initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of all Apple facilities, including commute and renewable energy programs, and do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of all Apple personnel, facilities, and customers in our facilities around the world. We are seeking an experienced, collaborative, and highly motivated professional to join our team as a Development Service Manager, to be responsible for supporting pre-construction activities to ensure regulatory compliance, predictable/optimal entitlement/plan review/permit outcomes, and improved government/consultant relationships & communications.

Description

As the Senior Development Service Manager, you will collaborate closely with and support Apple team members responsible for corporate & retail real estate & development, global events, environmental health and safety, space planning, architectural & design, and real estate & legal. This results-oriented and high-functioning manager will integrate into Apple’s fast-paced and innovative culture, while optimally navigating local city government development review and plan check processes. The role will also support planning and execution of strategically significant cross-functional and special initiatives for the Real Estate and Site Services team, as advised.

Responsibilities

• Direct end-to-end regulatory entitlement, environmental review, and permitting strategies across high-impact real estate development projects and portfolio initiatives.
• Cultivate and navigate strategic relationships with agency heads, senior government officials, design partners, and executive project leadership to align objectives and mitigate approval risks.
• Institutionalize high-level communication frameworks and advocacy paths with local and regional jurisdictions to resolve systemic roadblocks and position Apple as a trusted partner.
• Lead critical due diligence reviews and land-use feasibility analyses for global real estate acquisitions, translating regulatory risks into actionable mitigation strategies for leadership.
• Champion cross-agency negotiations, public hearings, and jurisdictional alignment sessions to resolve complex project comments and unblock key milestones.
• Deliver advanced building and fire code analysis, serving as a trusted resource to architect innovative compliance solutions, technical guidance, and interpretive positions across projects.
• Direct and negotiate complex Alternative Materials and Methods (code exception) strategies and applications to enable innovative architectural design while maintaining life-safety standards.
• Drive operational excellence across the team by establishing standards, review workflows, and training programs, while actively mentoring team members to elevate overall capability and consistency.
• Oversee comprehensive audit programs and risk-mitigation frameworks to proactively ensure continuous code compliance across occupied facilities and campus developments.
• Partner as a senior development advisor to cross-functional Apple organizations (including Legal, Government Affairs, and Design) to deliver unified, efficient permitting and regulatory outcomes.
• Partner with team leadership on strategic operational planning, resource prioritization, and departmental roadmaps, serving as an escalation point and deputy when needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban/city planning, public administration, architecture, civil engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree or relevant professional certifications (e.g., AICP) preferred.
• 8+ years responsible experience in city planning, development project & permit management, municipal economic development and/or administration, architecture, or engineering; working with technology companies/city jurisdiction, and office/commercial building planning/design experiences useful
• 10+ to 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in municipal planning, community development, city administration, or corporate real estate development; prior experience serving at the Director, Assistant Director, or Assistant City Manager level overseeing Community Development or Planning is highly desired.
• Proven track record directing complex land-use entitlements, environmental review processes (e.g., CEQA), and development agreements through planning commissions, city councils, and regional regulatory agencies.
• Deep executive-level understanding of municipal governance, local government operations, zoning/building regulations, and the end-to-end building, fire, and safety plan review lifecycle for large-scale commercial or corporate campus developments.
• Demonstrated mastery in leading high-stakes municipal negotiations and building productive partnerships between private development teams, city leadership, elected officials, and public agency stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge of building occupancies, accessibility standards, fire/life safety principles, and architectural/engineering plan review, with a strong ability to spot land-use or code conflicts early in the design phase.
• Proven leadership in mentoring staff, driving process modernization, and establishing operational frameworks that increase project velocity and regulatory consistency.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced professional credentials such as AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners), AIA (American Institute of Architects), PE (Professional Engineer), or ICC Master Code Professional.
• Extensive experience overseeing large-scale corporate campus developments, complex R&D/tech facilities, or high-density, multi-phase master-planned projects.
• Exceptional executive presence and public advocacy skills, with a proven track record delivering compelling presentations before City Councils, Planning Commissions, community groups, and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated political acumen with proven success negotiating complex Development Agreements, environmental mitigations, or public-private partnerships under sensitive community and municipal conditions.
• Proven experience building, managing, and inspiring multidisciplinary teams and external consultant networks, with a leadership style rooted in mentorship, operational rigor, and sound decision-making.

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $178,800 and $268,400, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs.

Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition.

Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.

Learn more about Apple Benefits

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.