Development Manager / Owner's Representative
About the role
Trueline's client, a rapidly growing real estate investment, development, and property management company with a strong multifamily portfolio in Western New York, is seeking a Development Manager / Owner's Representative to join their team in Rochester, New York.
Responsibilities
- Lead ground-up, adaptive reuse, and commercial development projects from initial concept through construction completion
- Evaluate project plans, specifications, budgets, and schedules with a focus on constructability, cost control, operational performance, and return on investment
- Coordinate architects, engineers, designers, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders throughout the development process
- Compare design and construction alternatives and recommend solutions that balance quality, schedule, cost, and long-term ownership goals
- Partner with ownership and finance teams to keep projects aligned with approved budgets and investment objectives
- Identify project risks early and develop practical strategies to address them
- Prepare bid packages and manage contractor and vendor solicitation
- Review and level proposals, clarify scopes, and support contractor selection and contract negotiations
- Coverage with affiliated and third-party construction partners to establish complete scopes before work begins
- Serve as the Owner's Representative throughout construction
- Lead owner-architect-contractor meetings and maintain clear accountability across project teams
- Maintain project schedules, budgets, quality standards, safety performance, and key milestones
- Review change orders, resolve project challenges, and protect ownership's interests
- Coverage permitting, inspections, punch lists, closeout documentation, and final turnover
- Manage multiple active projects while maintaining accurate reporting and project documentation
- Build productive relationships with contractors and consultants while holding all parties accountable for results
Requirements
- 7+ years of commercial construction project management, owner's representation, or real estate development experience
- Strong understanding of commercial construction budgeting, scheduling, permitting, sequencing, and procurement
- Experience working directly with architects, engineers, consultants, and design teams
- Ability to review plans for constructability, cost implications, value engineering opportunities, and schedule improvements
- Experience preparing bid packages and evaluating contractor proposals
- Commercial judgment and an understanding of how construction decisions affect project economics
- Clear, confident communication and leadership skills
- Able to independently own projects with limited day-to-day oversight
- Able to work onsite in Rochester and travel locally to project locations
Nice-to-Haves
- Experience with multifamily or mixed-use development
- Adaptive reuse project experience
- Ground-up commercial or multifamily construction experience
- Background with a commercial general contractor, developer, owner's representative, design-build firm, or construction management company
- Experience with financial pro formas, project underwriting, or development feasibility analysis
- Buildertrend experience
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Real Estate, or a related field
Benefits
Base salary of $100,000-$130,000, with flexibility based on experience
Performance-based and annual company bonus opportunities
Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) plan
Paid time off
Vehicle allowance, mileage reimbursement, or company vehicle arrangement
Opportunity to shape an expanding development platform from an early stage
Exposure to significant ground-up and adaptive reuse multifamily projects
Direct access to company leadership and meaningful influence over project strategy
Opportunity to build a team and oversee a growing portfolio of projects
Pay
$100,000 - $130,000 base salary, with flexibility based on experience
Schedule
Full-time position