Retail Development Manager Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Location: Dallas, TX | Asset Class: Retail | Employment Type: Full-Time (In-Office + Minimal Travel)

We are seeking an experienced Director, Retail Development to join Provident’s owner-side development team in Dallas, Texas. This role reports directly to the President and works alongside the Managing Directors of Retail and Mixed-Use. You will lead the planning, entitlement, design, and construction management of retail development projects — both new ground-up developments and active projects already in motion.

The ideal candidate is a licensed Architect or Civil Engineer with a strong background in retail design and construction management, municipal approvals, and zoning. You understand how to read and direct complex sets of plans, communicate through CAD mark‑ups, navigate lease work letters, and manage construction contracts — all without needing to pick up a pencil yourself. You are a seasoned leader who can build and manage a team while working closely day‑to‑day with the Director - Retail Development and the Managing Director, Mixed‑Use.

This in‑office role will require minor travel to project sites, city hearings, and off‑site meetings.

• Development Leadership & Project Delivery
  • Oversee all phases of retail development from site acquisition support and pre‑development through design, permitting, construction, and project closeout.
  • Assume immediate ownership of active retail projects already in progress and carry them through to completion without disruption.
  • Serve as the primary owner’s representative in coordination with architects, engineers, contractors, and consultants.
  • Direct and manage the external design and engineering team — holding them accountable to scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards.
• Entitlement, Zoning & City Approvals
  • Lead the entitlement and zoning process for retail projects, coordinating with municipalities, planning departments, and regulatory bodies.
  • Represent Provident at city council meetings, planning commission hearings, and community engagement sessions.
  • Navigate complex approval processes with confidence, managing outside counsel, land use consultants, and civil engineers as needed.
• Design & Construction Management
  • Review and provide direction on architectural and civil drawings, providing mark‑ups via CAD and written comments to guide the design team.
  • Evaluate design documents for constructability, budget alignment, and compliance with lease and entitlement requirements.
  • Review tenant work letters in coordination with the leasing team; ensure design and construction obligations are clearly defined and executable.
  • Review and comment on construction contracts as they are drafted, identifying scope gaps, risk allocation issues, and non‑standard terms.
  • Review contractor pay applications, change order requests, and project cost reports; maintain accountability for budget and schedule outcomes.
• Team Management & Collaboration
  • Collaborate closely with Director of Retail Development and Managing Director, Mixed‑Use, on all active, cross‑functional, and pipeline retail projects.
  • Maintain clear communication with the President on project status, budget, risk, and milestone achievement.

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Licensed Architect (AIA) or Civil Engineer (PE) with a minimum of 10 years of professional experience.
• Demonstrated retail development experience spanning design management, construction oversight, and city entitlement — from the owner’s side.
• Deep knowledge of retail project types including inline, big box, power center, lifestyle, and mixed‑use retail formats.
• Proven experience managing municipal approval and zoning processes across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong ability to read, interpret, and provide direction on full sets of architectural and civil drawings; comfortable communicating through CAD mark‑ups.
• Proficiency reviewing Excel‑based project budgets, schedules, and financial reports; ability to track and comment on project cost information.
• Experience reviewing and commenting on tenant work letters and construction contracts as they are prepared and negotiated.
• Proven ability to hire, lead, and develop a small, high‑performing project team.
• Willingness to travel to project sites, city hearings, and industry meetings as needed.

• Prior experience working for a real estate developer, REIT, or institutional investor on ground‑up retail or mixed‑use development.
• Experience working with national and regional retail tenants, understanding their prototype requirements and construction processes.
• Relationships with retail‑focused architects, civil engineers, and general contractors in key Provident markets.
• Working knowledge of LEED or sustainable design standards as they apply to retail development.

• Technical & Design Acuity
  • Reads and directs complex drawing sets with confidence; communicates clearly through CAD mark‑ups and written comments.
• Entitlement & Regulatory Navigation
  • Manages complex city approval and zoning processes, representing the owner’s interests effectively through hearings and negotiations.
• Project & Budget Ownership
  • Takes full accountability for project schedule, cost, and quality; identifies risks early and drives proactive resolution.
• Team Leadership
  • Builds and leads high‑performing project teams; provides clear direction and develops talent over time.
• Collaborative Communication
  • Communicates project status, risk, and financial performance clearly at all levels, from field teams to the President.
• Adaptability & Entrepreneurial Drive
  • Thrives in lean, fast‑moving teams where resourcefulness and sound judgment matter more than headcount.

Since its inception in 1991, Provident has developed over $6 Billion of real estate projects. We are disciplined and focused on executing deals that offer the best strategy for Provident and our investor partners. With over three decades of experience with opportunistic land development and vertical development in various key U.S. markets, our company thrives on an entrepreneurial spirit and an excellent track record of success.

Our $7.5 Billion portfolio includes product types such as multi‑family, industrial, master‑planned communities, hospitality, retail, office, mixed‑use, and data centers across the United States.

Under the leadership of Leon Backes and Jay Hawes, Provident is a respected, well‑capitalized investment firm that has thrived through three decades and multiple market cycles with foresight, depth of experience, and a unique ability to adapt to shifting demands, market trends, and challenging economic cycles.

• Competitive base salary + bonus, and the unique ability to invest in the Provident Employee Fund
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Company‑Provided Life Insurance and Long‑Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• 529 College Savings Plan
• 3 Weeks PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Maternity/Paternity Leave

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Reasonable Accommodation
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact us and let us know the nature of your request.

Recruitment Fraud Notice
Please be aware of recruitment scams. We will never request personal financial information or payment at any stage of the hiring process. All legitimate communication will come from an official company email address.