Manager of Development and Project Entitlements

JLL•Tampa, FL

17d•$145,000 - $210,000•Remote

About The Position

JLL is seeking an experienced Director 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. This role is new to our team and will require the candidate to develop new processes, refine existing processes and gain buy-in from key stakeholders.

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
Demonstrated ability to monitor and direct multidisciplinary teams of architects, engineers, and land use counsel throughout entitlement processes

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Deliver exceptional client service through technical expertise, effective communication, and strategic relationship management
Serve 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
Accountable and responsible for completion of due diligence processes to inform feasibility of site selection; works with third party consultants to build advisory packages for client and delivery project management team.
Accountable for completion 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
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
Foster collaborative relationships between transaction, design, and construction teams