Due Diligence Manager

LMK Recruiting Solutions • Los Angeles, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Our client, a premier 4th-generation construction company in Los Angeles specializing in masonry, concrete, hardscape, hillside, and structural work, is seeking a dedicated Permitting and Due Diligence Manager to bring this function fully in-house. This role is central to the company's standard of craftsmanship and compliance, ensuring every project is thoroughly researched, engineered, permitted, and inspected correctly. The manager will be the company's definitive expert, determining project permittability, requirements, costs, and timelines, and will provide authoritative code and permitting guidance to sales, estimating, and production teams. The position requires managing a high volume of concurrent permits across various Los Angeles jurisdictions, demanding exceptional organization and proactive follow-through.

Requirements

• 5+ years pulling permits in Los Angeles for a contractor, permit expediting firm, architecture firm, or developer.
• Direct experience with LADBS and at least 2–3 surrounding jurisdictions.
• Proven track record permitting retaining walls, sidewalk/driveway approaches, and structural/concrete projects.
• Working knowledge of the California Building Code, Title 24, and LA hillside, grading, and setback requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural and structural drawings.
• Experience coordinating soils engineers, geologists, and structural engineers to strict project deadlines.
• Exceptional organizational skills managing 20+ concurrent permits.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Located in Greater Los Angeles with a valid driver's license and reliable transportation to split time between remote work, agency counters, and job sites.

Nice To Haves

• Background in masonry, concrete, hardscape, or hillside structural construction.
• Experience resolving code enforcement cases and legalizing unpermitted structures.
• Established working relationships with plan checkers and inspectors across LA jurisdictions.
• Previous experience within a high-volume residential specialty trade company.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Own the full permit lifecycle for every project, from initial application through final inspection and sign-off.
• Secure permits for retaining walls, sidewalk/driveway approaches, structural/concrete work, grading, demolition, and all other required scopes.
• Prepare and submit complete permit applications, including drawings, structural calculations, agency forms, owner authorizations, and supporting documentation.
• Manage plan checks from submittal through approval: track review cycles, address correction notices, coordinate revisions with engineers/architects, and resubmit through issuance.
• Represent our client in person at building and safety counters, public works, planning, zoning, and engineering departments.
• Schedule and coordinate inspections, attend on-site visits when necessary, and drive the resolution of correction notices or failed inspections.
• Monitor permit expiration dates across all active projects and file extensions or renewals proactively.
• Resolve open code enforcement cases, notices of violation, and orders to comply, including legalizing existing unpermitted work.
• Track, reconcile, and document all permit fees, plan check fees, school fees, bonds, and deposits for client reimbursement.
• Conduct feasibility research on prospective and sold projects to determine path to approval, constraints, and cost structure.
• Research property records, zoning, setbacks, easements, right-of-way, height/grading limits, hillside ordinance rules, historic designations, and prior permit history.
• Pull and review as-built drawings, certificates of occupancy, and archived agency records.
• Identify early requirements for third-party reports (soils, geology, structural engineering, surveys) and scope them prior to schedule impacts.
• Review architectural and structural drawings for permit readiness prior to submittal to prevent preventable corrections.
• Establish reliable permitting timelines and cost estimates for sales and production planning.
• Identify and flag high-risk permitting scenarios early to prevent unachievable schedule commitments.
• Maintain working relationships with key jurisdictions, including the City of Los Angeles (LADBS), LA County, Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and surrounding municipalities.
• Coordinate soils engineers, geologists, structural engineers, surveyors, and architects; manage their scopes, timelines, and deliverables.
• Stay current on the California Building Code, Title 24, local ordinances, and jurisdiction-specific hillside, grading, and structural regulations.
• Serve as the internal subject matter expert on code and permitting questions for sales, estimating, and production teams.
• Maintain a live permit and due diligence tracker showing status, jurisdiction, submittal date, expected approval, next action, and blockers for every active project.
• Provide clear, realistic written status updates to production teams and clients.
• Participate in site visits with the sales team to provide initial feasibility reads for accurate project quoting.
• Define the scope, cost, and timeline for due diligence services sold to clients.
• Maintain organized filing systems for all permits, plan sets, reports, correction notices, and approvals.

Benefits

• Complete Ownership: Fully own the permitting and due diligence department without bureaucratic oversight.
• Dynamic Projects: Work on complex hillside structural projects, deep foundations, and large retaining walls across diverse LA jurisdictions.
• Uncompromised Quality: Join a company committed to doing things right—fully permitted, documented, and executed without cutting corners.
• Agile Culture: Work directly with a lean leadership team where decisions are made quickly and your contributions directly impact business success.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed