Vice President for Land Development

Description

Provide executive leadership for all horizontal development activities — from early cost modeling and bid strategy through site infrastructure delivery. This role owns construction execution, value engineering, and agency coordination, and partners closely with the VP of Acquisition to evaluate and price new land opportunities.

• Build and lead land development managers, estimators, and field supervisors.
• Evaluate alternative materials, construction methods, and design details to reduce cost and risk.
• Identify cost drivers, risk factors, and value-engineering opportunities that inform land pricing and deal structure.
• Maintain strong working relationships with cities, counties, utilities, and special districts.
• Manage site preparation, grading, wet/dry utilities, paving, and public improvements through acceptance and bond release.
• Work with the VP of Acquisition to prepare accurate sitework and infrastructure cost models during land pursuit and underwriting.
• Resolve field issues with agencies, utilities, and inspectors quickly to keep work on schedule.
• Maintain a robust contractor and consultant network; enforce best practices for cost control, efficiency, and safety.
• Secure and track grading/improvement permits, impact and park/Quimby fees, bonds, and reimbursement agreements.
• Partner with civil engineers and designers to reduce earthwork, shorten utility runs, and simplify infrastructure phasing.

Requirements

Leadership & Management Skills

• Proficiency with project management and take-off tools (e.g., Procore, Bluebeam, Civil 3D, Excel) preferred.
• 10–20 years of progressively responsible experience in land development, site construction, or civil engineering within residential, mixed-use, or master-planned community projects.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills for agency coordination and contractor management.
• Proven ability to build, motivate, and lead high-performing internal teams and external partners.
• Strategic thinker with financial acumen to evaluate land deal structures, development risks, and return profiles.
• Highly organized, results-oriented, and capable of managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated success managing multi-phase projects, consultants, contractors, and agency coordination across multiple jurisdictions.
• In-depth understanding of civil improvement plans, grading and drainage, stormwater systems, and dry/wet utilities.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred and may substitute for advanced degree or additional industry experience.
• Track record of accurate cost modeling, value engineering, and delivery of site infrastructure on schedule and within budget.
• Experience with bid preparation, cost estimation, impact/Quimby fees, and bonding or reimbursement agreements.
• Proven ability to lead horizontal development from entitlement through grading, utilities, paving, and bond release.
• Master’s degree (MBA, MS in Real Estate Development, or Civil Engineering) preferred.
• Strong knowledge of subdivision mapping, public works standards, and permitting processes with cities, counties, and special districts.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Land Development, Urban Planning, or a related field required.

Benefits

Salary: $130k-$250k

• Performance-based annual bonus opportunity.
• Comprehensive health benefits, vehicle allowance
• Free lunch on workdays
• Competitive base salary typically in the $130K – $250K range, commensurate with experience and project scale.
• Eligibility for profit participation or equity in select projects.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance