Property Development Manager

About the Role

As the Manager, Property Development, you’ll lead the entitlement, due diligence, design coordination, permitting, and development activities for new and remodeled restaurant locations. This role serves as the primary coordinator to drive projects from site approval through permit issuance, working closely with Real Estate, Construction, Finance, Legal, landlords, developers, municipalities, and third-party consultants. You’ll manage external partners and vendors, ensuring alignment on project scope, deliverables, schedules, budgets, and approval requirements while proactively resolving issues that could impact timelines.

You’ll partner with Real Estate to evaluate prospective sites through preliminary site planning and feasibility assessments, oversee due diligence efforts, and build relationships with local jurisdictions to drive permit approval processes and meet company development objectives.

Responsibilities

• Manage consultant teams, including architects, civil engineers, surveyors, geotechnical firms, environmental consultants, and other third-party service providers, ensuring work is completed accurately, on schedule, and within budget.
• Establish clear vendor expectations, monitor performance, and hold partners accountable for deliverables, timelines, and quality standards.
• Coordinate closely with landlord development teams to define responsibilities, track landlord deliverables, and ensure alignment on project schedules and construction milestones.
• Oversee all site due diligence activities, including Site Information Reports (SIRs), geotechnical investigations, environmental assessments, surveys, utility reviews, and jurisdictional research.
• Coordinate and communicate permit review timelines, address municipal review comments, and facilitate resolution of permitting challenges.
• Review consultant work products, design documents, landlord submissions, and permit applications to ensure compliance with company standards, lease requirements, development guidelines, and jurisdictional regulations.
• Provide technical support for Letters of Intent (LOIs), lease negotiations, development agreements, and project budget planning.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by driving consistency in development, permitting, and vendor management processes.

Requirements

• Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Planning, Construction Management, Real Estate Development, or a related field preferred.
• 8-10+ years of commercial development or project management experience.
• Restaurant, retail, hospitality, or multi-site commercial development experience required.
• Ground-up development and construction experience required.
• Proven experience managing third-party consultants, vendors, landlords, and development partners across multiple concurrent projects.
• Knowledge of site selection, development feasibility, and design coordination.
• Familiarity with architectural, civil, structural, and MEP design disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to manage project schedules, budgets, consultant contracts, and vendor performance.
• Strong negotiation, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat; CAD experience a plus.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information for diverse audiences.
• Self-starter who works effectively with minimal supervision.
• Ability to travel as needed, including attendance at municipal meetings, public hearings, and project site visits (6-8 times/year).

Benefits

• Hybrid schedules with weekly flex days to work from home.
• Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; 401(k) with company match.
• Employee Assistance Program with counseling, financial, legal, and life resources.
• Best You EDU, offering education programs and tuition reimbursement.
• Generous dining discounts at Chili’s® Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy®.
• Annual bonus eligibility for every RSC Team Member.
• On-site gym and fitness classes like yoga and boot camp.
• Company-wide events and a casual, collaborative work atmosphere.