Project Development Manager

Life Care Services•Des Moines, IA

About The Position

The Project Development Manager leads the planning, development, and repositioning of senior living communities across independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. The role oversees projects across the full lifecycle, from identifying development opportunities and defining project concepts and positioning through construction, occupancy development, and closeout. Working with a Director of Development, project ownership or sponsors, clients, operations, design, finance, marketing, and other stakeholders, the manager guides projects toward successful outcomes and supports communities in reaching 90% occupancy. The manager develops market and financially feasible plans, coordinates design and financing, establishes budgets and schedules, obtains government approvals, oversees construction-related decisions, and supports marketing, sales, and move-in activities. The position also represents the project and Life Care Services to external parties and ensures required project closeout documentation and processes are completed. Travel is 50–75%.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience working within the senior living industry, with deep knowledge of developing projects for selected market segments and locations.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field.
Strong organizational and leadership skills.
Knowledge of the development process and ability to position projects for selected market segments and locations.
Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders, clients, or nonprofit boards.
Understanding of project budgets, including capital costs, construction, furniture and fixtures, advertising, operations, cash flows, and financing plans; ability to help clients balance needs and wants in the interests of clients, investors, and residents.
Ability to get work done through people with varied backgrounds, ages, and expertise.
Excellent problem-solving and decision-making ability, a pragmatic work style, and ability to overcome obstacles and keep projects moving.
Knowledge of the design process and ability to coordinate architectural design activities to support functionality and an aesthetically pleasing, residential character.
Willingness to travel 50–75%.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
Ability to navigate scheduling software such as Microsoft Project or Smart Sheets.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Director of Development and stakeholders to recommend project concepts and development positioning strategies, including size, quality, target market, design budget, pricing, and merchandising schedule.
Lead, direct, motivate, manage, and monitor development team members throughout the project lifecycle.
Prepare market and financially feasible development plans with client and operations alignment on scope, product pricing, seed capital requirements, and project positioning.
Coordinate with design management to prepare design space programs and project team proposal requests.
Work with finance management to establish and revise capital cost budgets throughout development.
Obtain necessary government approvals directly or through compliance teams, attorneys, and consultants.
Select the architect and interior designer with the client and Design Manager.
Direct and monitor the project architect throughout development with the Design Manager.
Establish and refine the master project schedule.
Act as the owner's representative to project team members.
Establish occupancy development and marketing budgets with community and regional marketing staff.
Monitor and direct advertising and public relations firms in accordance with the marketing strategy, in coordination with community and regional occupancy development staff.
Monitor sales and cancellation pace, adjust prices to manage budgeted entry fee pools or rental rates, and assist with occupancy development, including presenting to potential residents.
Direct and assist finance or investment banking team members with seed capital, construction, and permanent financing.
Establish criteria for and implement resident selections for potential modifications to independent living residences during construction.
Review and negotiate construction change orders and time-extension requests with the project architect and any supporting Project Manager staff.
Establish quality expectations, punch-list procedures, and final acceptance processes with supporting project staff and the project architect.
Work with Marketing, Operations, and any supporting Project Manager to facilitate an orderly move-in process, including sending proper notice to buyers.
Represent the project and Life Care Services to outside parties, including local officials, the general public, and news media.
Ensure project closeout, including final lien waivers, owner training, and the final certificate of occupancy.