Vice President of Development - Adult Active Living

Collective/Great States•Minneapolis, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Great States Development is a rapidly growing real estate development firm focused on active adult (55+) communities across the Midwest and Mountain West. We are seeking a Vice President of Development – Adult Active Living to lead the sourcing, underwriting, and execution of 55+ lifestyle-oriented communities. This is a high-impact leadership role with direct influence on company growth, investment strategy, and long-term portfolio performance. This role is designed for a high-performing developer who wants to take ownership of a growing platform and scale it into a market-leading development operation. This position will report directly to the President of Great States Development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Development, Urban Planning, Architecture, Business Administration, or related field
10+ years of experience in real estate development
Direct experience in active adult, senior housing, hospitality, or lifestyle-driven residential communities strongly preferred
Experience with ground-up development and amenity-rich, lifestyle-oriented residential communities
Demonstrated success sourcing and executing development deals
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
Proven ability to operate in a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment
Strong financial acumen and proficiency in financial analysis, including real estate modeling, investment analysis and risk assessment.
In-depth knowledge of real estate markets, zoning regulations, entitlement processes and construction practices
Established network of brokerage, capital, and development relationships with a demonstrated ability to generate deal flow
Deep understanding of the 55+ demographic, including lifestyle preferences, amenity expectations, and community engagement drivers
Experience designing or delivering amenity-rich environments including wellness, fitness, social spaces, and community programming

Responsibilities

Source and secure new Active Adult (55+) development opportunities
Build and maintain a pipeline of off-market and brokered opportunities
Lead initial underwriting, site selection strategy, and go/no-go decisions
Partner with executive leadership to structure capital stacks (debt/equity)
Support or lead investor presentations, capital raises, and lender relationships
Conduct market research and analysis to identify emerging trends, assess competitive landscapes, and make informed decisions regarding project feasibility and positioning
Partner with marketing and operations teams to develop and execute lease-up strategies tailored to the Active Adult demographic
Influence branding, positioning, and pre-leasing strategies to align with target resident profiles and drive early engagement
Own the full lifecycle execution from site selection, due diligence, and entitlements through design, construction, and lease-up
Oversee project budgets, financial modeling, and financing structures to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget constraints
Build and lead a high-performing team while coordinating across development, design, capital markets, marketing, and operations
Nurture and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including landowners, brokers, municipalities, lenders, investors, and community members
Mentor and develop internal team members as the platform grows
Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize project delays, cost overruns, and other potential obstacles
Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and zoning requirements throughout the development process
Integrate sustainable design principles and practices into development projects to enhance long-term value and environmental stewardship
Serve as the primary point of accountability to executive leadership and capital partners for project performance, timelines, and financial outcomes