Manager, Development
Summary
The Development Manager, Wellness Housing (US) is responsible for the day-to-day execution of assigned projects across Welltower's Wellness Housing portfolio, spanning Active Adult, build-to-rent (BTR), multifamily, single-family home, duplex, multiplex, and cottage product types. The role sits within the Wellness Housing Development team and owns project management from site identification and pre-development through construction turnover and community launch. The Development Manager partners closely with Investments, Construction, Legal, Finance, Asset Management, and operating partner teams to underwrite opportunities, coordinate due diligence, advance entitlement and design workstreams, and manage projects through construction and stabilization.
Key Responsibilities
- Own day-to-day management of assigned Wellness Housing projects from pre-development through construction turnover and community launch, ensuring delivery on schedule, on budget, and to Welltower's quality standards.
- Manage project schedules, budgets, and cross-workstream coordination across internal teams and third-party consultants.
- Track project performance against underwriting assumptions and surface variances to leadership with recommended actions.
- Support change order review, contingency management, and cost-to-complete forecasting throughout the construction cycle.
- Coordinate closely with the Wellness Housing Construction Management team on constructability, delivery timing, and turnover planning.
- Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and site feasibility work to support deal screening and pursuit decisions.
- Support underwriting and pro forma modeling in coordination with Investments and Finance, including sensitivity analysis, return metrics, and stabilized yield calculations.
- Contribute to Investment Committee materials and support the presentation of projects through Welltower's capital approval process.
- Provide input on constructability, budget, and schedule assumptions that feed underwriting and deal terms.
- Coordinate due diligence workstreams across assigned projects, including environmental, geotechnical, survey, title, zoning, and utility reviews.
- Manage entitlement and permitting activities, working with planning advisors, architects, engineers, and local jurisdictions to secure zoning approvals, site plan approvals, and building permits.
- Track entitlement risks and pathways and surface timing implications to leadership and Investments in advance.
- Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for architects, engineers, general contractors, cost consultants, and other third-party consultants on assigned projects.
- Coordinate with operating partners on design input, FF&E procurement, pre-opening planning, and turnover logistics.
- Support contract negotiation with third-party consultants and vendors in coordination with Legal.
- Maintain accurate project records and reporting in Welltower's development and construction systems, including Yardi, Procore, DealPath, and related platforms.
- Prepare regular project updates for internal leadership, Investment Committee, and Finance stakeholders.
- Contribute to portfolio-level reporting on schedule, budget, and stabilization performance across the Wellness Housing pipeline.
- Partner with Construction, Investments, Asset Management, Finance, Legal, and Operations to deliver integrated project execution.
- Contribute to process improvement, template development, and standardization across the Wellness Housing development function.
- Support the continuous build-out of institutional knowledge across the Wellness Housing product line as the portfolio scales.
Travel
Approximately 40 percent out-of-area and overnight travel, including regular site visits to active Wellness Housing projects across the United States.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Finance, Urban Planning, or a related field. Master's degree, MSRED, or Real Estate Development certificate preferred.
- 5 to 8 years of progressive experience in real estate development, with meaningful exposure to ground-up development from site acquisition through stabilization.
- Experience with multifamily, build-to-rent, active adult / 55+, or senior housing product types preferred.
- Working knowledge of the full development lifecycle, including site evaluation, market research, feasibility analysis, underwriting and pro forma development, entitlement and permitting, design coordination, construction management, and lease-up and stabilization.
- Demonstrated experience coordinating third-party consultants, including architects, engineers, general contractors, planning advisors, and cost consultants.
- Real estate financial modeling ability, including pro forma development, sensitivity analysis, IRR and yield-on-cost calculations, and construction budget management.
- Familiarity with development management, project tracking, and construction management software (e.g., Yardi, Procore, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, DealPath, ARGUS, or similar).
- Experience contributing to Investment Committee or similar capital approval materials preferred.
- Working knowledge of building codes, zoning, entitlement processes, and local permitting requirements.
- Strong analytical, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing timelines and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
What We Offer
- Competitive Base Salary + Annual Bonus
- Generous Paid Time Off and Holidays
- Employee Stock Purchase Program – purchase shares at a 15% discount
- Employer-matching 401(k) Program + Profit Sharing Program
- Student Debt Program – we'll contribute up to $10,000 towards your student loans
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Comprehensive and progressive Medical/Dental/Vision options
- Professional Growth