Community Development Project Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

Our SelectLeaders client is seeking a skilled and motivated Project Manager to join its Project Development team. This is an excellent opportunity for a real estate development professional to take ownership of complex commercial development projects from due diligence through completion.

As an established commercial real estate development and investment company with a long track record of successfully delivering projects across multiple markets, the organization has experience throughout the full development lifecycle, from site selection and due diligence through entitlement, design, construction, and completion.

The company’s portfolio includes a variety of commercial real estate projects, with a particular focus on industrial, retail, office, and other tenant-driven developments. Projects vary in size, complexity, and scope, providing the opportunity to work on developments ranging from smaller build-to-suit projects to large-scale commercial developments.

They are growth-oriented and place a strong emphasis on quality, collaboration, accountability, and long-term relationships. The Project Manager will have the opportunity to work on diverse projects while partnering with internal teams, municipalities, consultants, tenants, and other stakeholders throughout the development process.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in civil engineering, site planning, land development, or commercial real estate development, along with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders, consultants, budgets, schedules, and project requirements.

• Independently manage assigned development projects, including scope, budget, schedule, due diligence, entitlements, design, and close-out.
• Lead site investigations and identify potential development, cost, and schedule risks related to grading, stormwater, wetlands, floodplains, easements, access, utilities, and entitlements.
• Analyze zoning, municipal codes, permitting, and entitlement requirements and serve as a key municipal point of contact.
• Manage consultants, scopes, deliverables, schedules, and performance.
• Review and interpret due diligence reports, civil plans, construction documents, utility agreements, leases, and municipal requirements.
• Develop and manage project budgets, forecasts, schedules, and reporting.
• Lead design coordination, value engineering, entitlement, permitting, and project meetings.
• Ensure project plans comply with lease and development requirements.
• Coordinate across Development, Construction, Leasing, Legal, Finance, and Asset Management teams.
• Proactively identify and mitigate project risks while keeping projects on schedule and within budget.
• Lead construction turnover and project close-out.
• Identify process improvements and mentor junior team members.
• Travel as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering required.
• 6–10 years of experience in civil engineering, site planning, land development, or commercial real estate development preferred.
• Strong knowledge of site planning, civil engineering, stormwater management, entitlements, permitting, and land development.
• Strong project management, analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Project preferred.
• Experience with real estate development, project management, and related technical software is a plus.
• Ability to read and interpret civil plans, technical reports, leases, and municipal codes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Authorized to work in the U.S. without future sponsorship.

$125,000 - $150,000 a year

• Compensation range for this position is $125,000-$150,000 with annual bonus potential.
• Generous paid time off.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life and disability insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Flexible spending account options.
• Additional voluntary benefit programs.
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities.
• Collaborative and team-oriented work environment.
• Opportunities to work on complex commercial real estate development projects.