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Project Development Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Manager, Project Development

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$134K - $158K/yr

What The Role Is Reporting to the Sr. Director, Project Development, the Manager, Project Development is responsible for the development of wind, solar, and energy storage projects in the Central ...

Project Development Engineer

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$110K - $135K/yr

Our expertise covers the entire energy value chain-from project development and engineering to construction, operations, and maintenance. By integrating advanced technologies, proven processes, and ...

Project Development Engineer

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$110K - $135K/yr

Our expertise covers the entire energy value chain-from project development and engineering to construction, operations, and maintenance. By integrating advanced technologies, proven processes, and ...

Senior Counsel - Project Development

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$126.90K - $172.40K/yr

Senior Counsel - Project Development Houston, TX | Legal Department Talen Energy's Legal team partners across the organization to enable strategic growth and manage risk in a complex, highly ...

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Project Development information

See Houston, TX salary details

$41.1K

$90.3K

$135.6K

How much do project development jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for project development in Houston, TX is $90,284.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,100.00 and $103,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Project Development, and why are they important?

A successful career in Project Development requires strong project management skills, analytical abilities, and a relevant degree such as business, engineering, or construction management. Familiarity with project management software (like MS Project or Asana), budgeting tools, and sometimes certifications like PMP or Prince2 are highly valued. Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills enable professionals to coordinate teams and drive projects forward. These competencies are crucial for ensuring projects are completed on time, within scope, and to stakeholder satisfaction.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Project Development, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Project Development often encounter challenges such as aligning diverse stakeholder interests, managing shifting project requirements, and ensuring timely resource allocation. These obstacles can be addressed by maintaining clear communication channels, implementing regular project check-ins, and utilizing effective project management tools. Building strong relationships across departments and fostering a transparent team culture also help in navigating complex project landscapes and achieving successful outcomes.

What is project development?

Project development is the process of planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring a specific project from an initial idea to successful completion. This involves defining project goals, creating detailed plans, securing funding, coordinating teams, and monitoring progress throughout the project lifecycle. Effective project development ensures that objectives are met on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards. Professionals in this field often work in industries such as construction, energy, technology, and nonprofit sectors.

What jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

In project development and related fields, roles such as project coordinator, construction manager, or freelance project consultant can earn around $3,000 monthly without a formal degree, often relying on experience, certifications, or technical skills. These jobs typically require strong organizational abilities, industry knowledge, and sometimes certifications like PMP or OSHA, with work environments ranging from offices to construction sites.

What is the difference between Project Development vs Project Management?

AspectProject DevelopmentProject Management
Primary FocusPlanning and creating project concepts, designs, and initial phasesExecuting, monitoring, and closing projects to meet objectives
Required SkillsDesign, technical knowledge, planningLeadership, organization, communication
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, engineering, R&DProject teams, client interactions, coordination
CertificationsDepends on industry; often technical or design certificationsPMP, CAPM, or similar project management certifications

While project development focuses on creating and designing project concepts, project management involves overseeing the execution and delivery of those projects. Both roles are essential and often collaborate closely, but they emphasize different stages of the project lifecycle.

What are the most commonly searched types of Project Development jobs in Houston, TX? The most popular types of Project Development jobs in Houston, TX are:
Infographic showing various Project Development job openings in Houston, TX as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,284 per year, or $43.4 per hour.
Project Development Mgr

Project Development Mgr

Target Hospitality

The Woodlands, TX โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

The Project Development Manager is responsible for leading projects through the early development and pre-construction phases, ensuring they are fully defined, de-risked, and ready for successful execution. This role bridges commercial development, utility infrastructure coordination, permitting, estimating, and scheduling, and serves as a critical interface between Business Development, Engineering, and Construction teams.
The ideal candidate brings 5-10 years of experience in project development, infrastructure, or construction environments, with strong knowledge of utility infrastructure including power, water, wastewater, telecom/fiber, and gas systems.
Key Responsibilities
Project Development & Pre-Construction
  • Lead project development activities from initial concept through construction handoff
  • Define project scope, baseline assumptions, risks, and execution strategy early in the lifecycle
  • Develop and manage preliminary budgets, cost models, and schedule development.
  • Coordinate feasibility studies, site due diligence, and constructability reviews
  • Maintain development risk registers and drive mitigation strategies prior to mobilization

Utility Infrastructure & External Coordination
  • Serve as primary lead for utility infrastructure coordination, including:

    • Electric power (temporary and permanent)
    • Water and wastewater
    • Natural gas
    • Telecom and fiber

  • Engage directly with utility providers, municipalities, and regulatory agencies
  • Support utility applications, service agreements, and infrastructure extension plans
  • Coordinate offsite utility scopes with civil engineers and internal construction teams

Permitting & Entitlements
  • Manage permitting strategy and timelines across local, state, and utility authorities
  • Coordinate zoning, land use, environmental, and building permit requirements
  • Support entitlement approval processes and ensure compliance with jurisdictional requirements
  • Track permit status and critical path impacts

Estimating, Scheduling & Transition to Execution
  • Support or lead early estimating efforts and cost validation in partnership with estimating teams
  • Help coordinate the development of project schedules and milestone dates
  • Ensure a clean, structured handoff to Project Management and Field Execution teams
  • Participate in turnover meetings to ensure scope, cost, and risk alignment

Internal & Client Collaboration
  • Act as a cross-functional integrator between Development, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction
  • Support client and stakeholder presentations during the development phase
  • Provide clear, executive-level updates on development progress, risks, and decisions

Qualifications & Experience
Required
  • 5-10 years of experience in project development, construction management, or related roles
  • Demonstrated experience with utility infrastructure planning and coordination
  • Strong understanding of pre-construction processes, permitting, and early cost modeling
  • Ability to manage multiple projects in parallel across different geographic jurisdictions
  • Excellent written, verbal, and stakeholder communication skills

Preferred
  • Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field
  • Experience supporting largescale commercial, industrial, energy, or infrastructure projects
  • Familiarity with modular construction or accelerated delivery models
  • Experience working with utility companies, municipalities, and regulatory agencies

Core Competencies
  • Utility & infrastructure diligence and planning
  • Pre-construction and development strategy
  • Risk identification and mitigation
  • Budget and schedule development
  • Cross-functional leadership
  • Regulatory and permitting coordination
  • Executive-level communication

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.