Senior Development Services Manager

Apple•San Jose, CA

About The Position

Apple’s Places team manages the company’s global real estate portfolio, capital construction projects, facilities and site services, and sustainability initiatives. The Senior Development Services Manager supports and leads pre-construction, entitlement, environmental review, permitting, and regulatory-compliance activities for high-impact real estate projects and portfolio initiatives. The role works closely with teams across corporate and retail real estate, global events, environmental health and safety, space planning, architecture and design, Legal, Government Affairs, and other functions. It also supports strategic cross-functional initiatives for the Real Estate and Site Services team. The manager navigates local and regional government review processes, builds relationships with public agencies and project partners, and helps secure predictable and effective entitlement, plan-review, and permit outcomes. The role provides senior-level expertise in land-use feasibility, due diligence, building and fire codes, life safety, and alternative materials and methods. It also establishes operational standards and review workflows, mentors team members, oversees audits and risk mitigation, advises leadership on project and departmental priorities, and may serve as an escalation point and deputy when needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in urban or city planning, public administration, architecture, civil engineering, or a related field.
At least 8 years of responsible experience in city planning, development project and permit management, municipal economic development or administration, architecture, or engineering.
At least 10 to 12 years of progressive leadership experience in municipal planning, community development, city administration, or corporate real estate development.
Proven experience directing complex land-use entitlements, environmental review processes such as CEQA, and development agreements through planning commissions, city councils, and regional regulatory agencies.
Executive-level understanding of municipal governance, local government operations, zoning and building regulations, and the building, fire, and safety plan-review lifecycle for large-scale commercial or corporate campus developments.
Demonstrated ability to lead high-stakes municipal negotiations and build partnerships among private development teams, city leadership, elected officials, and public agencies.
Advanced knowledge of building occupancies, accessibility standards, fire and life-safety principles, and architectural and engineering plan review; ability to identify land-use or code conflicts early in design.
Proven leadership in mentoring staff, modernizing processes, and establishing operational frameworks that improve project velocity and regulatory consistency.
Ability to travel up to 20%.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or relevant professional certification, such as AICP.
Experience working with technology companies and city jurisdictions; office or commercial building planning and design experience is useful.
Prior experience at the Director, Assistant Director, or Assistant City Manager level overseeing Community Development or Planning.
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 or technology facilities, or high-density, multi-phase master-planned projects.
Exceptional executive presence and public advocacy skills, including experience presenting to City Councils, Planning Commissions, community groups, and executive leadership.
Political acumen and success negotiating complex Development Agreements, environmental mitigations, or public-private partnerships in sensitive community and municipal contexts.
Experience building, managing, and inspiring multidisciplinary teams and external consultant networks, with a leadership style based on mentorship, operational rigor, and sound decision-making.

Responsibilities

Direct end-to-end regulatory entitlement, environmental review, and permitting strategies for high-impact real estate development projects and portfolio initiatives.
Build and navigate strategic relationships with agency heads, senior government officials, design partners, and executive project leadership to align objectives and mitigate approval risks.
Establish communication frameworks and advocacy paths with local and regional jurisdictions to resolve systemic roadblocks and position Apple as a trusted partner.
Lead due diligence reviews and land-use feasibility analyses for global real estate acquisitions, translating regulatory risks into mitigation strategies for leadership.
Lead cross-agency negotiations, public hearings, and jurisdictional alignment sessions to resolve project comments and unblock milestones.
Provide building and fire code analysis, technical guidance, and compliance solutions across projects.
Direct and negotiate Alternative Materials and Methods (code exception) strategies and applications while maintaining life-safety standards.
Establish team standards, review workflows, and training programs; mentor team members to improve capability and consistency.
Oversee audit programs and risk-mitigation frameworks to support continuous code compliance across occupied facilities and campus developments.
Advise cross-functional Apple organizations, including Legal, Government Affairs, and Design, on development and regulatory matters.
Partner with team leadership on operational planning, resource prioritization, and departmental roadmaps; serve as an escalation point and deputy when needed.
Support planning and execution of strategic cross-functional and special initiatives for the Real Estate and Site Services team.