Senior Horizontal Design Manager

About the position

Come join NRP's A+ team! We've been recognized as a 'Top Workplace' because we promote a culture where our team can build long-term careers and connections. As we grow as a company, our goal is that you will grow in your career. NRP has been recognized with several industry awards including Top Workplaces; Best and Brightest Companies to Work For; and National Apartment Association's Best Places to Work. This is a rare opportunity to lead transformative, large-scale multifamily housing projects and shape the future of urban living. From spearheading horizontal design and entitlements to driving operational excellence and profitability for NRP's regional projects, you will impact every phase of the project lifecycle. Join a company that values innovation, collaboration, and strategic leadership-and take the next step in your career as a key contributor to our success.

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape critical due diligence, horizontal design, and consultant processes from project conceptualization through construction administration.
• Manage team design and coordination meetings (agendas/minutes), develop and maintain detailed project schedules (design through permitting), and maintain a comprehensive project issue log for horizontal design, entitlements, and related tasks.
• Manage accountability and alignment with consultants and strategic partners.
• Prepare and manage soft cost budgets, maintaining issue lists for horizontal design and entitlements.
• Serve as a key resource to Developers, Design Managers, and Construction Personnel for design-related information.
• Implement process improvements within the design phase to drive efficiency.
• Ensure project deliverables align with company goals for quality, timeline, and budget.
• Execute strategies and maintain relationships with strategic partners and consultants, aligning them with overall project strategy.
• Contribute to cost-effective solutions for design and construction.
• Vet, commission, and manage consultant proposals and change orders to ensure accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
• Proactively identify discretionary and quasi-discretionary approvals, site constraints, and design factors impacting project viability, cost, and schedule.
• Coordinate and review entitlement and horizontal design packages, gathering and incorporating feedback from design and construction personnel throughout permitting stages.
• Manage the preparation, internal review, approval, and recordation of legal documents (agreements, easements, plats).
• Manage rezoning and special use permits, attending neighborhood, staff, and public hearings.
• Secure final approvals and permits, coordinating responses to regulatory review comments.
• Partner with internal teams to value engineer projects during design and post-pricing milestones.
• Assist construction personnel with franchise utility coordination and municipal issues during construction.
• Support project financial closings by preparing documentation and addressing lender and equity inquiries.
• Compile comprehensive handoff documents for internal reference.
• Champion operational efficiencies to optimize costs, speed, and productivity.
• Develop and implement pre-development and construction phase spend strategies to expedite schedules.
• Review and approve project execution plans to achieve or exceed approved metrics (return targets).
• Conduct risk assessments during due diligence and evaluate entitlement conditions.
• Recommend and implement standardization strategies to ensure quality and scalability.
• Present complex information clearly and concisely and create compelling project narratives for various audiences leveraging strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Real Estate, Land Planning, or related field preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in real estate development or multifamily housing.
• Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams, managing due diligence, entitlements, and large-scale projects.
• Experience with financial planning, budget management, and P&L accountability.
• Familiarity with zoning regulations, real estate debt and equity financing, community engagement, and regulatory processes.
• Expertise in integrated project management and governance frameworks.
• Experience as an 'owner's representative' or similar role, ensuring alignment between construction, development and financial goals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook; knowledge of project management tools is a plus.

Benefits

• Commission and bonus opportunities
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 Paid holidays
• Paid maternity & parental bonding leave
• Short & long term disability
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• 401(k) Match
• Training, certification, & growth opportunities
• Employee referral & recognition programs