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Land Development Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Luxus

Civil Engineer- Site/Land Development

Montpelier, IA · On-site

$75K - $105K/yr

Civil Engineer - Land Development (Civil 3D) | 3-8 Years Company Name: RTM Engineering Consultants ... Coordinate across architects, project managers, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure ...

Land O'Lakes

Sales Development Manager

Ames, IA · Remote

Sales Development Manager Job Summary: The WinField United Sales Development Manager serves as a ... Exemplify Land O'Lakes wide leadership competencies: Collaboration, Innovation, Courage, Ownership ...

JCG Land Services

Land Acquisition Professional

Ames, IA · Hybrid

$24 - $27/hr

Build a More Reliable Tomorrow with JCG Land Services JCG Land Services is hiring a full-time Acquisition Specialist to help secure property rights and leases for power development and infrastructure ...

JCG Land Services

Land Acquisition Professional

Ames, IA · On-site

$24 - $27/hr

Build a More Reliable Tomorrow with JCG Land Services JCG Land Services is hiring a full-time Acquisition Specialist to help secure property rights and leases for power development and infrastructure ...

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All JobsLand Development Manager JobsLand Development Manager Jobs in Iowa

Land Development Manager information

See Iowa salary details

$34.8K

$92.9K

$126.8K

How much do land development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for land development manager in Iowa is $92,901.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,400.00 and $109,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Land Development Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Land Development Manager, you need expertise in civil engineering, urban planning, project management, and a relevant degree such as in engineering or land development. Familiarity with CAD software, GIS systems, permitting processes, and local zoning regulations is typically required. Strong leadership, negotiation, and communication skills help effectively coordinate multidisciplinary teams and engage with stakeholders. These skills ensure that development projects are completed efficiently, meet regulatory standards, and align with community and organizational goals.

What does a Land Development Manager do?

A Land Development Manager oversees the process of turning raw land into developed properties, such as residential communities, commercial centers, or industrial sites. They coordinate with engineers, architects, contractors, and government agencies to ensure projects meet zoning, environmental, and legal requirements. Their responsibilities include site selection, budgeting, permitting, and managing timelines to keep projects on track. They also address challenges that arise during development, such as unforeseen site conditions or regulatory changes. Ultimately, their goal is to deliver completed, market-ready developments that align with company objectives.

What is the role of a land development manager?

A land development manager oversees the planning, design, and approval processes for developing land into residential, commercial, or industrial projects. They coordinate with engineers, architects, and government agencies, manage budgets and schedules, and ensure compliance with zoning and environmental regulations. Strong project management and knowledge of land use laws are essential for this role.

What jobs pay 10,000 a month without a degree?

A Land Development Manager typically earns a salary that can reach or exceed $10,000 per month, especially with experience and in large projects. Such roles often require strong project management skills, industry knowledge, and sometimes certifications, but they do not always require a college degree. Other high-paying jobs without a degree include sales managers, real estate brokers, and certain skilled trades like commercial pilots or construction managers.

What Does a Land Development Manager Do?

As a land development manager, your job is to oversee the development of property from the initial planning phase through the completion of residential, commercial, or industrial construction. In this role, you ensure that each plan meets all regulatory requirements, create and manage a development schedule, help survey the land to ensure all reports are accurate, and manage relationships with contractors. Land development managers often provide regular reports to property owners about the expected schedule and budget of a project, resolve any problems that occur with the development process, and perform any other tasks as required. Land development often takes several years from beginning to end, and depending on the needs of your employer, you may oversee several properties simultaneously.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

Land Development Managers can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership roles overseeing large projects. High-paying roles in finance, law, medicine, and executive management also reach or exceed this level, often requiring specialized skills and significant responsibility.

How does a Land Development Manager typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

A Land Development Manager works closely with several teams, including engineering, planning, legal, and construction departments, to ensure successful project completion. They coordinate with civil engineers on site design, consult with legal teams for compliance and permitting, and communicate regularly with construction managers to align timelines and budgets. Frequent cross-department meetings and status updates are common, fostering a collaborative environment where issues can be addressed proactively. This teamwork is crucial for navigating regulatory requirements and keeping projects on schedule.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

In the US, high-paying roles such as senior executives, investment bankers, specialized surgeons, and successful entrepreneurs can earn $500,000 or more annually. Land Development Managers typically earn between $100,000 and $200,000, with higher compensation possible through bonuses, profit sharing, or executive-level positions, especially in large projects or firms. Achieving such income often requires extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities.

What is the difference between Land Development Manager vs Civil Engineer?

AspectLand Development ManagerCivil Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in urban planning, civil engineering, or related field; often professional licensureBachelor's degree in civil engineering; PE license often preferred
Work EnvironmentProject management, coordination with stakeholders, site planningDesign, analysis, and construction oversight of infrastructure projects
Employer & Industry UsageReal estate development firms, municipalities, private developersEngineering consulting firms, construction companies, government agencies

The Land Development Manager focuses on overseeing development projects from planning to completion, coordinating with stakeholders and managing budgets. Civil Engineers primarily design and analyze infrastructure components, ensuring safety and compliance. While both roles require engineering knowledge, the Land Development Manager emphasizes project management and development processes, whereas Civil Engineers concentrate on technical design and engineering solutions.

More about Land Development Manager jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Land Development jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Land Development jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Land Development Manager jobs in Iowa? For Land Development Manager jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Land Development Manager jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Land Development Manager jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Land Development Manager jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Land Development Manager job openings:
Land Development Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Land Development Manager job openings in Iowa as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $92,901 per year, or $44.7 per hour.
Civil Engineer - Land Development

Civil Engineer - Land Development

Kimley-Horn

Des Moines, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 27 days ago

Kimley-Horn rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 84 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

32nd of 356 rated engineering

Job description

Overview

Kimley-Horn's Des Moines, Iowa (IA) office is seeking a Civil Engineer with 4+ years of experience to join their Land Development team!

Responsibilities
  • Perform site development engineering and project management tasks for residential and commercial projects
  • Projects will include a variety of land development site designs
  • In addition to strong technical experience, other responsibilities will include research, coordination, project management, staff management, cost estimating, permitting for land disturbance and preparation of bid packages as well as technical specifications
  • Assist in monitoring project progress, budgets, and schedules
  • This is an exciting opportunity to work with a team of engineers and designers on a variety of projects
  • You will flourish on both building meaningful internal and external professional relationships
  • You will work closely and collaboratively with other industry leading professionals, various jurisdictions, and contractors
Qualifications
  • 4+ years of relevant engineering design experience
  • Professional Engineering (P.E.) License (or ability to obtain within 12 months)
  • Candidates should have experience with site civil design, permitting, and applicable software applications including hydrology modeling program, storm drainage programs, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D
  • Experience with task management, concept design, and assisting project management tasks
  • Familiar with coordinating with clients, attending client meetings, and overseeing quality standards
  • Working knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Ability to build plan sets and other construction documents
  • Design experience that includes utilities, site layout, drainage, due diligence and permitting

#LI-JH1

Why Kimley-Horn?

At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it- that's why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn's placement on the Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work" list for 19 years!

Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn

  • Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
  • Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
  • Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
  • Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
  • Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
  • Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
Education:Bachelor's DegreeEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

What Kimley-Horn employees say

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Benefits

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About Kimley-Horn

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

We are a full-service consulting firm that provides a wide range of infrastructure and land development planning and engineering services to both public and private clients. Though we have more than 6,000 employees in 100+ offices, we pride ourselves on our small company feel. At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People--clients and employees--are at the forefront of our business. Clients know we are laser-focused on their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to see our staff flourish, one and all. Both groups know that with Kimley-Horn, they can expect more and experience better.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Raleigh, NC, US

Year founded

1967

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