WHAT DOES A LAND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER DO?

Published: Jan 07, 2026 - The Land Development Manager oversees all aspects of land development from due diligence to project completion, including budgeting, scheduling, and value engineering of construction plans. This role coordinates with consultants, trade partners, and government agencies to secure permits, manage bids and contracts, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. The manager also drives process improvements, maintains accurate financial tracking, and presents project updates to internal and external stakeholders.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Land Development Manager

1. Land Development Manager Details

  • Site Evaluation: Review the viability of proposed development sites virtually and in person.
  • Site Research: Research site conditions, area utilities, required zoning, and entitlements needed for the intended use, and estimate impact and utility tap fees
  • Planning Research: Research information needed to create site plans, such as setbacks, parking ratios, landscape buffers, and stormwater management requirements
  • Feasibility Reporting: Research and prepare an internal Site Investigation Report assessing the feasibility of the proposed development and project economics
  • Timeline Management: Develop project timelines and manage projects to meet the committed timeline
  • Budget Development: Create and maintain project development budgets for new projects and utilize value-engineering strategies to improve project economics
  • Feasibility Review: Initiate and review third-party feasibility reports, such as geotech, survey, environmental studies, and zoning for new development sites
  • Entitlement Coordination: Work with municipalities and civil engineers to entitle new development projects, including special or conditional use permits, variance, and zoning changes
  • Plan Approval: Achieve approval of site plans and civil drawings
  • Entitlement Meetings: Attend and speak at zoning and entitlement meetings.
  • Drawing Review: Review civil drawings for accuracy and impact on the project budget and feasibility
  • Project Reporting: Prepare weekly internal project tracking reports as well as bi-weekly client communications regarding project status and timing
  • Vendor Processing: Process vendor invoices, utility hookups, utility changes, prepare miscellaneous reports, and other tasks

2. Land Development Manager Accountabilities

  • Due Diligence: Conduct due diligence and a feasibility study for acquiring new development properties
  • Property Research: Complete property searches by reviewing Official Plans (Regional and Municipal), zoning by-laws, urban design guidelines, OMB decisions, parkland dedications, property assessments, etc.
  • Application Review: Review adjacent development applications and approvals to assist in making informed decisions that will help the management team acquire properties
  • Community Planning: Underwrite, design, and plan new communities with architects and other building consultants to ensure successful and profitable projects
  • Drawing Coordination: Coordinate and manage the Working Drawing process in collaboration with the Construction Team to achieve Building Permits
  • Schedule Tracking: Create and track a master project schedule and track budgets every month to ensure accuracy in billing and progress
  • Project Execution: Work with Marketing, Sales, Construction, and Finance teams to execute on projects from inception to completion
  • Proposal Analysis: Request, review, and analyze consultant proposals
  • Agreement Negotiation: Negotiate encroachment agreements, shoring agreements with municipalities and adjacent property owners
  • Consultant Management: Coordinate and manage the project consultant team to submit applications on time and on budget
  • Report Assessment: Review, assess, and comment on all reports and plans for development application submission
  • Entitlement Review: Review, manage, and clear comments from the municipality for final entitlements
  • Issue Resolution: Manage day-to-day project issues with the ability to identify and resolve any issues and conflicts related to the project
  • Scope Management: Proactively manage changes in project scope, identify potential crises, and devise contingency plans
  • Public Engagement: Attend public meetings, industry-related conferences, and events
  • Application Approval: Obtain development application approval and clear conditions to achieve registration
  • Field Inspection: Conduct field inspections, investigate project concerns, and organize on-site meetings to evaluate and solve site issues
  • Credit Management: Manage Letters of Credit (LC) and recover money held by government agencies, and utility companies (LC reductions and release)

3. Land Development Manager Details and Accountabilities

  • Planning Participation: Participate in the planning and vision of land development projects.
  • Consultant Communication: Initiate and facilitate communication between engineering, architectural, legal, financial, and environmental consultants and contractors.
  • Plan Analysis: Review and analyze construction plans and contract documents.
  • Schedule Accountability: Maintain schedules and budget/cost accountability with all co-workers, consultants, and contractors on multiple projects.
  • Infrastructure Leadership: Lead the timely and accurate planning, design, construction, and final acceptance of all community infrastructure, including roads, water, sanitary sewer, drainage utilities, water and sanitary sewer plant facilities, detention ponds and lakes, electric power, gas, fiber optic, telecommunication utilities, parks, community swimming pools, greenbelt walking trails, monuments, landscaping projects, etc.)
  • Agency Meetings: Initiate and lead meetings with various governmental agencies, including local city, county, and state officials, utility districts, homeowner associations, etc.
  • Bond Submittal: Initiate the timely submittal, approval, and closing of bond application reports.
  • Agency Relations: Establish relationships with municipal inspectors and governing authority representatives, and be able to resolve issues with agencies having jurisdiction over the project and the region.
  • SWPPP Compliance: Be responsible for SWPPP compliance of the projects and coordination with the Division Environmental Manager.
  • Control Assistance: Assist in management control functions, including schedules, cost/budget controls, budget reconciliation, development costs, and monitoring compliance.
  • Invoice Review: Review consultant and contractor invoicing and change orders for approval.

4. Land Development Manager Additional Details

  • Due Diligence: Assist in development-related due diligence items for potential acquisitions, including preparation of budgets, schedules, and reviewing construction drawings
  • Plan Engineering: Value engineer plans during the due diligence phase and as the project develops
  • Cost Analysis: Provide detailed cost analysis and schedules for projects
  • Bid Packaging: Create bid packages for consultants and trade partners
  • Project Negotiation: Negotiate projects with consultants and trade partners to achieve the most economical and efficient outcome
  • Bid Review: Provide a detailed bid analysis to award the contract
  • Permit Coordination: Work with local, state, and federal jurisdictions to receive necessary permits for development
  • Community Presentation: Present community information to internal and external groups
  • Project Management: Manage consultants, trade partners, governmental agencies, utility providers, and others to keep projects on time and budget
  • Budget Oversight: Oversee development budgets and cash flows from project conception to closing for accountability and accuracy
  • Process Development: Develop and implement systems/processes that will improve operational quality and efficiency

5. Land Development Manager General Responsibilities

  • Land Leadership: Driving the land process to meet the schedule and operating margin goals
  • Entitlement Oversight: Overseeing and implementing all facets of the entitlement and development process
  • Strategy Direction: Directing the internal Land Team and outside engineers and planners in creating an effective strategy for the success of projects and implementing that strategy
  • Team Mentoring: Providing leadership and mentoring for the Land Team
  • Official Meetings: Meeting with local officials, politicians, and municipal staff to assist in the approval process
  • Commission Participation: Participating in planning commission and city council meetings on behalf of
  • Opportunity Negotiation: Working hand-in-hand with the Vice President, Land Acquisition and Development, to locate and negotiate contracts for new development opportunities
  • Report Analysis: Analyzing technical reports, market studies, and lease agreements
  • Budget Preparation: Preparing budgets and schedules
  • Contract Management: Managing contractors, contracts, and bidding processes

6. Land Development Manager Responsibilities and Key Tasks

  • Feasibility Studies: Detailed acquisition feasibility studies, including project budget and schedule creation
  • Consultant Management: Identify, hire, and manage a team of consultants throughout the design and entitlement process
  • Proposal Solicitation: Request proposals, preparation, and bid solicitation, negotiation, award, and contracting for land development contractors
  • Field Operations: Manage day-to-day field operations and project start-up
  • Order Management: Manage Change Orders, invoice review, and approval
  • Schedule Tracking: Develop, track, and update project schedules routinely and distribute to the team
  • Agency Meetings: Meet with governmental agencies, inspectors, and HOAs
  • Status Documentation: Maintain a written status of each community approval and improvement level, which has been verified by the developer
  • Issue Identification: Identify issues and potential delays promptly