1000 Darden Center Dr, Orlando FL 32837
Job Description
Site Development Manager - Job Description
Position Summary
The Site Development Manager is responsible for leading all site development activities from real estate approval through permitting, landlord coordination, pre-construction readiness, construction support, and project turnover for 2 +/- acre sites within an assigned regional area. This role serves as the primary accountable leader for ensuring sites progress efficiently through entitlement, approval, permitting, and development milestones while coordinating cross-functional teams, landlords, consultants, and contractors to meet schedule, cost, and quality objectives.
The ideal candidate can effectively public speak and sell certain aspects of a Darden Restaurant while being the face of the company in a public setting. The individual will be required to travel to zoning, planning and public hearings/ meetings when needed and would need to be able to perform under these conditions. Being able to have multiple projects under various stages and enjoying a fast paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Site Due Diligence & Feasibility
- Works closely with the assigned Real Estate Director for smooth transition and project kick off.
- Lead site feasibility reviews following real estate approval.
- Coordinate site investigations and due diligence activities.
- Evaluate site constraints, utility availability, access requirements, and permitting risks.
- Review survey, environmental, geotechnical, and civil engineering findings.
- Assess project readiness prior to development commitment.
Entitlements & Government Approvals
- Mange Site Consultants, engineers agreements within estimated budget and timelines.
- Manage zoning, subdivision, and governmental approval processes.
- Coordinate entitlement strategies with consultants and municipal agencies.
- Lead development reviews, planning board submissions, and approval meetings.
- Ensure compliance with jurisdictional requirements and development conditions.
Landlord & Third-Party Coordination
- Serve as primary liaison with landlords throughout development.
- Negotiate development-related requirements and site obligations.
- Coordinate landlord approvals for plans, utility work, and site modifications.
- Manage lease-related site development deliverables by working closely with internal legal department, the lease terms and timelines.
Permitting Management
- Direct preparation and submission of permit applications.
- Monitor permit review processes and agency comments.
- Coordinate consultant responses to permit review feedback.
- Secure all permits required for construction commencement.
Pre-Construction Management
- Lead project handoff from permitting into construction.
- Verify permit issuance and development readiness.
- Coordinate utility applications and service requirements.
- Ensure site-related conditions are resolved before construction start.
Construction Support
- Support construction teams in resolving site and jurisdictional issues.
- Coordinate responses to field conditions that could impact schedule
- Manage and support budget related to site challenges
- Support development-related change requests and approvals.
- Facilitate communication between contractor, landlord, consultants, and internal teams.
Project Closeout
- Oversee final jurisdictional approvals and closeout activities.
- Support turnover requirements and utility transfer to Darden.
- Review all change orders and project learnings for Future Development.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor''s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Real Estate Development, or related field.
- 5-10 years of experience in site development, retail development, construction management, or entitlement management.
- Experience managing permitting and municipal approval processes, included but not limited to: Zoning, Code Compliance, inspections, utility management and application, permitting, REA and PUD compliance, platting.
- Knowledge of civil engineering, site planning, utilities, and development regulations.
- Strong project management skills.
- High aptitude for multi project work with fast paced work environment
- Ability to work with team and align with over arching goals.
- Restaurant operational experience.
- Current version of Bluebeam operational skills.
Preferred
- Restaurant development experience.
- Multi-site program management experience.
- Professional certifications such as PMP or related credentials.
- CAD / Revit experience Ability to draw site plan.
Key Competencies
- Site development expertise with soil management and mitigation.
- Entitlement management
- Permit administration
- Landlord coordination
- Contract and lease interpretation
- Risk assessment
- Schedule management
- Stakeholder communication
- Problem solving
- Cross-functional leadership
Success Metrics
- Permit cycle times
- Development approval timelines
- On-time construction starts
- Landlord approval performance
- Schedule adherence
- Development budget compliance
Location
- At RSC if in the Orlando Area
- Remote possible with skill set (If remote travel to the RSC monthly for 3 days minimal during monthly meetings to maintain team cohesiveness.)
- Travel up to 50% for project meetings. Must be able to travel independently within the company parameters.
State Benefits Overview
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