Development Manager

Position Summary

Denton Floyd Real Estate Group is a vertically integrated real estate firm headquartered in the Louisville / Southern Indiana market, with capabilities spanning development, general contracting, property management, and capital markets. We are seeking a Development Manager to join our Development team and help drive projects across our pipeline from initial concept through stabilization.

This is a generalist, asset-agnostic role responsible for managing the full development lifecycle across a range of product types - including multifamily, mixed-use, senior living, and other opportunities as they arise. The Development Manager will own day-to-day execution on assigned projects: coordinating feasibility and underwriting, advancing entitlements and design, supporting financing, and overseeing delivery in partnership with our construction, design, and capital markets teams. This is an individual-contributor role suited to a hands-on professional with 4-7 years of real estate development experience who is ready to manage their own projects end-to-end.

Key Responsibilities

Land Acquisition

• Identify land opportunities on and off-market via Broker connections
• Negotiate Letter of Intent
• Coordinate with internal design team for conceptual plans
• Assist in negotiations of Purchase and Sale Agreement

Feasibility & Underwriting

• Build and maintain development pro formas, underwriting models, and project budgets; analyze returns and sensitivities to support go / no-go decisions.
• Conduct and coordinate market studies, site due diligence, and feasibility analysis, including zoning, title, survey, environmental, and utility review.
• Prepare investment memos and recommendations for internal review and capital partners.

Entitlements, Design & Pre-Development

• Manage the entitlement process: rezoning, variances, site plan approvals, and permitting, working with municipalities, consultants, and legal counsel.
• Coordinate the design team (architects, civil, structural, MEP, and landscape) to advance plans from concept through construction documents.
• Lead pre-development scheduling, consultant scoping and contracting, and budget tracking through the design phases.

Capital & Financing Coordination

• Support debt and equity financing efforts in partnership with the Capital Markets team, including lender / investor packages and closing checklists.
• Coordinate loan closings and equity contributions and manage draw processes and lender reporting during construction.
• Track project capitalization, sources and uses, and funding milestones against the development budget.

Construction & Delivery Oversight

• Serve as the development-side point of contact with Forge Construction and other general contractors throughout construction.
• Participate in OAC meetings; track schedule, budget, change orders, RFIs, and submittals against the development plan.
• Monitor project critical path and proactively manage risks, escalating issues that threaten schedule, budget, or quality.

Stabilization & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate hand-off to property management and lease-up / stabilization teams, including marketing and operational readiness.
• Maintain accurate project records, reporting, and dashboards; provide regular status updates to leadership and stakeholders.
• Partner across Development, Construction, Capital Markets, Vector Design, and Preconstruction to keep projects aligned and on track.

Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, finance, business, construction management, urban planning, civil engineering, architecture, or a related field.
• 4-7 years of progressive experience in real estate development, development management, or a closely related discipline (e.g., real estate finance, construction management, or capital markets).
• Demonstrated experience managing or substantially contributing to projects across multiple phases of the development lifecycle.
• Strong financial modeling and underwriting skills, including development pro formas and return analysis (Excel proficiency required).
• Working knowledge of entitlements, due diligence, design coordination, and construction processes.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Preferred

• Experience across more than one product type (multifamily, mixed-use, senior living, commercial, or similar).
• Familiarity with debt and equity structures, lender draw processes, and investor reporting.
• Exposure to affordable / LIHTC financing or other public-private structures a plus.
• Experience with project management or construction software (e.g., Procore) and relevant local-market entitlement experience in the Louisville / Southern Indiana region.
• Master’s degree (MBA, MRED, or similar) or relevant professional credential.

Core Competencies

• Ownership & Accountability - takes full responsibility for assigned projects and outcomes.
• Analytical Rigor - grounds decisions in sound financial and market analysis.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration - works effectively across internal divisions and external partners.
• Problem Solving - anticipates risks and drives practical, timely solutions.
• Communication - conveys complex information clearly to leadership, partners, and consultants.
• Adaptability - manages shifting priorities across diverse project types and phases.

Benefits

Compensation & Benefits

Denton Floyd Real Estate Group offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including base salary and performance-based bonus potential. Our benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Professional development support and opportunities for growth across a vertically integrated platform.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Denton Floyd Real Estate Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law.