Senior Development Services Manager

Apple•San Jose, CA

About The Position

Apple’s Places team manages the company’s retail stores, workplaces, workplace services, global real estate portfolio, capital construction projects, facilities and site services, sustainability initiatives, and health and safety. The Senior Development Services Manager supports pre-construction activities to promote regulatory compliance, predictable and optimal entitlement, plan-review and permitting outcomes, and stronger relationships and communications with government agencies and consultants. The role collaborates with Apple teams responsible for corporate and retail real estate and development, global events, environmental health and safety, space planning, architecture and design, and real estate and legal. The manager works within Apple’s fast-paced culture to navigate local government development-review and plan-check processes. The position also supports planning and execution of strategically significant cross-functional and special initiatives for the Real Estate and Site Services team, as advised. Travel may be required up to 20%.

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 and/or administration, architecture, or engineering.
At least 10–12 years of progressive leadership experience in municipal planning, community development, city administration, or corporate real estate development.
Proven track record 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.
Advanced knowledge of building occupancies, accessibility standards, fire and life-safety principles, and architectural and engineering plan review.
Demonstrated ability to lead high-stakes municipal negotiations and build partnerships among private development teams, city leadership, elected officials, and public agency stakeholders.
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 certifications, such as AICP.
Experience working with technology companies or 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 is highly desired.
AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners), AIA (American Institute of Architects), PE (Professional Engineer), or ICC Master Code Professional credentials.
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 settings.
Experience building, managing, and inspiring multidisciplinary teams and external consultant networks, with a leadership style rooted in mentorship, operational rigor, and sound decision-making.

Responsibilities

Support pre-construction activities to ensure regulatory compliance and improve entitlement, plan-review, and permitting outcomes.
Build and improve relationships and communications with government agencies and consultants.
Collaborate with teams across corporate and retail real estate and development, global events, environmental health and safety, space planning, architecture and design, and real estate and legal.
Navigate local city government development-review and plan-check processes.
Support planning and execution of strategically significant cross-functional and special initiatives for the Real Estate and Site Services team.
Direct complex land-use entitlements, environmental review processes, and development agreements through planning commissions, city councils, and regional regulatory agencies.
Lead municipal negotiations and foster partnerships among private development teams, city leadership, elected officials, and public agency stakeholders.
Identify land-use or code conflicts early in the design phase.
Mentor staff, modernize processes, and establish operational frameworks that improve project velocity and regulatory consistency.
Travel as needed, up to 20%.
Present to City Councils, Planning Commissions, community groups, and executive leadership.
Build, manage, and inspire multidisciplinary teams and external consultant networks.