Senior Development Project Manager

About the role

The Sr. Development Project Manager will own the full lifecycle of Samara's single-family homes vertical from land acquisition through home sellout in Southern California. This person will help lead and support the SoCal developments through acquisitions, entitlements, and construction, with full P&L accountability for each project.

Responsibilities

• Partner with internal acquisitions team to review underwriting assumptions and provide execution input
• Navigate zoning, permitting, and entitlement processes across target municipalities, including SB 9, SB 684, and AB 1123 pathways
• Serve as a point of contact with city officials, utilities, and community stakeholders for regulatory plan checks and ensure compliance with permitting requirements and project conditions through development approvals
• Track project schedules, risks, and key milestones to ensure alignment with business plans
• Support contract negotiations (RFP’s) and consultant agreements
• Contribute to all DRE requirements, including creation of HOA documents and budgets
• Lead day-to-day development management of assigned projects from due diligence through construction
• Manage and coordinate third-party consultants, including architects, engineers, and other design professionals
• Oversee entitlement processes, design development, and project budgeting through project close out
• Prepare and submit pay applications, Requests for Information, Purchase Orders, Submittals, Change Orders, Claims
• Cook up with construction team on 3 weeks lookouts for construction schedules, critical RFI’s, and critical path roadblocks
• Cook up and lead Preconstruction on cost, schedule, and constructability inputs
• P&L Ownership & Financial Accountability for Socal development projects
• Ownership of project timelines and operating budgets for development projects
• Present monthly performance to leadership

Qualifications

• 8 - 10 years in real estate, planning, engineering, residential development, or homebuilding
• Background in architecture, planning, engineering, or related discipline preferred
• Deep experience with California entitlement and permitting processes, including SB684, SB1123 and other by-right pathways
• Proficiency in the skill sets of project management is required
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and consultants independently
• Strong understanding of entitlement, design, and pre-construction processes throughout Southern California
• Familiarity with development underwriting and pro forma review
• Knowledge of local zoning regulations, building codes, and permitting requirements in the Los Angeles area is required

Preferred

• Experience working within a vertically integrated builder or manufacturer (design through construction through sale)
• Familiarity with modular or prefabricated construction methods
• Five plus years of experience in discretionary entitlements in the City of Los Angeles with Tentative and Final Maps
• MBA or MSRE/MRED strongly preferred

Pay & Benefits

Salary range: depending on experience and performance
Based on experience and performance
Equity: Early stage employee equity
Benefits: Comprehensive package including generous time off, medical, dental, vision, 401(k).