Development Manager

Development Manager at Southstar Development Manager at Southstar in New Braunfels, Texas Posted in 4 days ago.

Type:

full-time

Job Description:

Department:

Real Estate Development Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer Location:

San Antonio or New Braunfels, TX About Southstar Southstar is a dynamic real estate developer focused on large scale and complex mixed-use communities in Central Texas. Headquartered in New Braunfels, the team leads with integrity and impact in some of the most notable projects in the region. The small Southstar team prioritizes relationships and excellence across every aspect of mixed-use community development - from envisioning and entitlement to development and long-term management. We gravitate toward difficult, complex projects because those are often the ones with the greatest potential for value creation and positive community impact. Our approach is agile, community-minded, and guided by listening: to our residents, our partners, and the places we serve. Position Summary The Development Manager at Southstar is responsible for directly managing complex real estate development projects from site acquisition through construction completion and closeout. This role serves as the primary point of accountability for development performance, project schedule, budget, quality, and stakeholder relationships, and plays a key role in shaping Southstar's development pipeline in the San Antonio and New Braunfels markets. The ideal candidate is a highly experienced real estate professional with a proven track record of delivering complex mixed-use, residential, or commercial development projects in the Greater San Antonio / I-35 corridor region. They bring deep market knowledge, strong financial acumen, and the leadership presence to coach and develop a high-performing team of development professionals. A collaborative approach to working with internal teams, external partners, municipalities, and the public is essential. Key Responsibilities Project Management & Delivery Lead all phases of land development from planning, approvals, construction, and closeout. Develop and maintain comprehensive project schedules, budgets, and risk registers; proactively identify and resolve issues. Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors, and consultants to ensure timely, on-budget project delivery. Manage construction administration, review pay applications, change orders, and monthly draws. Proactively coordinate with other developers within Southstar projects. Ensure projects meet Southstar's quality, sustainability, and design standards. Entitlements & Regulatory Approvals Lead entitlement processes including zoning applications, variances, and site plan approvals. Build and maintain relationships with municipal staff, planning boards, utility and infrastructure leadership, and community stakeholders. Coordinate preparation of entitlement packages and represent Southstar at public hearings and agency meetings. Financial Analysis & Reporting Prepare and manage detailed project proformas, track budget variances, and report on project financial performance. Support underwriting of new acquisitions and development opportunities in collaboration with the acquisitions team. Provide regular project status reports. Leadership and Growth Directly manage a team of consultants and vendors providing day-to-day oversight, project guidance, and performance accountability. Champion personal growth efforts to develop professionally and deepen relationships across trade partners Lead by example - modeling Southstar's values, decision-making rigor, and commitment to excellence in every interaction. Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented culture within the project team and across the organization. Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Urban Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field. Minimum 10+ years of progressive real estate development experience, with at least 5 years in a management or team leadership role. Demonstrated experience managing and developing a team of professional-level staff, including setting goals, delivering feedback, and driving performance. Demonstrated experience managing ground-up development projects from pre-development through delivery. Direct experience working in the San Antonio and/or New Braunfels real estate markets, with established knowledge of local municipalities, regulations, and market dynamics. Strong financial modeling skills; proficiency in Excel and real estate proforma analysis. Experience navigating municipal entitlement processes and working with government agencies in the Greater San Antonio / I-35 corridor region. Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills. Proven ability to manage multiple projects and team priorities simultaneously. Preferred

• Experience with mixed-use, multifamily, master-planned, and/or transit-oriented development.
• Established relationships with contractors, municipal staff, and community leaders in San Antonio and New Braunfels.
• Familiarity with public financing tools such as TIF, MUD, PID, LIHTC, or other incentive programs.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Procore, Smartsheet, or similar).
• Graduate degree (MBA, MS Real Estate, MUP, or equivalent) a plus. What We Offer
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Performance-based bonus program tied to project and company milestones.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision.
• 401(k)
• Paid time off, holidays, and flexible work arrangements.
• Opportunity to work on high-visibility, community-shaping development projects.
• Collaborative team culture with strong leadership support and room for advancement.