Job DescriptionJob Title: Land Development ManagerLocation: Waxahachie, TexasDepartment: Land DevelopmentReports To: Director of Community DevelopmentYour place in our storyThe Land Development Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management, coordination, and execution of land development and vertical development activities for a mixed use master planned community consisting of
13,000+ residential units and up to 1.3M sf of non-residential development in Waxahachie, Texas. This position oversees the development and delivery of residential lots, major infrastructure systems, utility improvements, landscape and irrigation systems, community amenities, parks, trails, entry features, common areas, and the construction of community sales centers, amenity campuses, and related community assets.
Working under the direction of the Director of Community Development, the Land Development Manager serves as the primary field and project management resource for the community and coordinates with consultants, contractors, utility providers, municipalities, homebuilding operations, HOA management, and internal stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with company quality standards.
This role requires a highly organized and proactive development professional capable of managing multiple concurrent projects and supporting the long-term buildout of one of the company's largest master-planned communities.
Here's how you'll contributeLand Development & Infrastructure Management- Manage day-to-day land development operations for a long term multi-phase master-planned community.
- Coordinate the construction and delivery of roads, water distribution systems, wastewater collection systems, storm drainage facilities, utility infrastructure, landscaping, irrigation systems, signage, trails, parks, and community amenities.
- Review and understand all civil engineering plans, utility plans, geotechnical reports, permits, specifications, development agreements, and construction contracts.
- Oversee all aspects of infrastructure installation, lot development, landscape improvements, and amenity site development to support homebuilding operations and community objectives.
- Coordinate and oversee development of community entry features, parks, trails, open space improvements, sales centers, and amenity campuses that support community launches, home sales, and resident experience.
- Monitor development progress to ensure lot deliveries, infrastructure installations, and project milestones remain aligned with approved schedules and budgets.
- Assist with future phase planning, utility expansion planning, constructability reviews, and development strategy implementation.
- Ensure all work is completed in accordance with approved plans, municipal requirements, permits, construction standards, and company expectations.
Amenity & Vertical Development Management- Manage the planning, design coordination, construction, and delivery of community sales centers, amenity campuses, clubhouses, recreation facilities, fitness centers, pools, parks, and other vertical improvement projects.
- Serve as the Owner's representative for assigned sales center and amenity projects throughout planning, design, permitting, construction, startup, and turnover.
- Coordinate architects, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, specialty consultants, vendors, and contractors throughout the project lifecycle.
- Monitor project budgets, schedules, quality standards, procurement activities, and construction progress for all amenity and sales center projects.
- Lead project meetings and coordinate stakeholder reviews to facilitate timely decisions and maintain project momentum.
- Review consultant proposals, contractor pay applications, change orders, and construction-related requests.
- Coordinate utility infrastructure, site development, building construction, landscaping, furniture, fixtures, and equipment necessary to support facility openings.
- Support the successful turnover of completed facilities to Sales, Operations, HOA Management, and community stakeholders.
Contractor & Consultant Management- Coordinate and manage the efforts of civil engineers, landscape architects, planners, architects, surveyors, environmental consultants, utility providers, contractors, and other development professionals.
- Monitor consultant and contractor performance to ensure compliance with approved scopes of work, schedules, budgets, safety requirements, and quality standards.
- Review and evaluate requests for information, submittals, field issues, change orders, and construction modifications.
- Participate in contractor procurement, bid evaluations, contract negotiations, and award recommendations.
- Conduct regular project meetings and maintain effective communication among consultants, contractors, municipalities, utility providers, and internal stakeholders.
Budgeting, Scheduling & Reporting- Assist with the development, maintenance, and reporting of project budgets, forecasts, schedules, and cash flow projections.
- Maintain detailed development schedules for active phases, infrastructure projects, sales centers, and amenity facilities.
- Track critical path activities and proactively identify schedule risks and recovery strategies.
- Monitor project expenditures and identify budget variances, unexpected costs, and potential shortfalls.
- Review and approve field purchase orders, invoices, consultant billings, and contractor pay applications.
- Track market pricing and provide cost feedback for future phases, budgeting efforts, and project planning.
- Prepare regular reports summarizing project status, budget performance, lot delivery schedules, construction progress, risks, and recommendations.
Homebuilding & Internal Coordination- Serve as the primary liaison between Land Development and Homebuilding Operations.
- Coordinate lot releases and infrastructure turnover to support production schedules and business goals.
- Collaborate with Construction, Purchasing, Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams to support community launches, model home openings, phase releases, and amenity openings.
- Work directly with field personnel to resolve grading, utility, drainage, landscaping, access, and lot condition concerns.
- Communicate site-specific conditions, permitting issues, utility constraints, and development schedules that may affect homebuilding operations.
Municipal & Regulatory Coordination- Coordinate inspections, testing, permitting, approvals, and acceptance processes with applicable governmental agencies, utility providers, and regulatory authorities.
- Support entitlement, permitting, and development approval activities as directed by the Director of Community Development.
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, permits, development approvals, and company standards.
- Oversee stormwater management, erosion control, dust control, environmental compliance, and related best management practices.
- Assist with permit closeouts, turnover documentation, as-built coordination, and agency acceptance procedures.
Community Appearance & HOA Coordination- Monitor the overall appearance and presentation of the community to ensure it reflects company quality standards and supports the customer experience.
- Coordinate with HOA Management, landscape contractors, maintenance vendors, and internal departments to maintain common areas, amenities, signage, irrigation systems, and community assets.
- Conduct routine inspections of community assets and identify operational, maintenance, safety, and aesthetic deficiencies.
- Implement corrective action plans and oversee completion of required improvements.
What you bring to the teamEducation & Experience- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Planning, Landscape Architecture, Business, Accounting, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5-8 years of progressively responsible experience in residential land development, civil construction, master-planned community development, or related vertical construction projects.
- Experience managing large-scale residential infrastructure projects and multiple concurrent phases of development.
- Experience managing community amenities, sales centers, clubhouses, recreation facilities, or similar commercial/community projects preferred.
- Experience working with municipalities, utility providers, consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
- Experience within Texas master-planned communities and utility district environments is strongly preferred.
Technical Skills- Proficiency in Microsoft Project or equivalent project scheduling software.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
- Working knowledge of Bluebeam, Adobe Acrobat, and electronic plan review systems.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, plats, utility plans, technical specifications, permits, and contracts.
- Strong knowledge of residential land development, utility infrastructure, permitting, and construction practices.
Core Competencies- Project Management
- Contractor & Consultant Management
- Budget Tracking & Cost Control
- Schedule Management
- Construction Administration
- Problem Solving & Decision Making
- Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Written & Verbal Communication
- Organization & Attention to Detail
- Accountability & Results Orientation
- Relationship Management
Success MeasuresSuccess in this role will be measured by:
- On-time delivery of finished lots and infrastructure improvements.
- Successful completion of sales centers, amenity campuses, and community facilities.
- Achievement of project budget and schedule objectives.
- Effective management of consultants, contractors, and vendors.
- Strong coordination with homebuilding operations and internal stakeholders.
- High-quality community appearance and infrastructure delivery.
- Positive working relationships with municipalities, utility providers, and regulatory agencies.
- Successful contribution to the long-term development and buildout of the 13,000-unit Waxahachie master-planned community.
