Vice President for Land Development

Location: Cupertino, CA (On-site)

Type: Full-time ; Onsite

Salary: $130k-$250k

ROLE SUMMARY

Provide executive leadership for all horizontal development activities — from early cost modeling and bid strategy through site infrastructure delivery. This role owns construction execution, value engineering, and agency coordination, and partners closely with the VP of Acquisition to evaluate and price new land opportunities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Horizontal Cost Strategy & Estimating

• Work with the VP of Acquisition to prepare accurate sitework and infrastructure cost models during land pursuit and underwriting.
• Identify cost drivers, risk factors, and value-engineering opportunities that inform land pricing and deal structure.

Value Engineering & Plan Optimization

• Partner with civil engineers and designers to reduce earthwork, shorten utility runs, and simplify infrastructure phasing.
• Evaluate alternative materials, construction methods, and design details to reduce cost and risk.

Horizontal Construction Oversight

• Manage site preparation, grading, wet/dry utilities, paving, and public improvements through acceptance and bond release.
• Resolve field issues with agencies, utilities, and inspectors quickly to keep work on schedule.

Agency & Fee Management

• Secure and track grading/improvement permits, impact and park/Quimby fees, bonds, and reimbursement agreements.
• Maintain strong working relationships with cities, counties, utilities, and special districts.

Team & Vendor Leadership

• Build and lead land development managers, estimators, and field supervisors.
• Maintain a robust contractor and consultant network; enforce best practices for cost control, efficiency, and safety.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Land Development, Urban Planning, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree (MBA, MS in Real Estate Development, or Civil Engineering) preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred and may substitute for advanced degree or additional industry experience.

Experience

• 10–20 years of progressively responsible experience in land development, site construction, or civil engineering within residential, mixed-use, or master-planned community projects.
• Proven ability to lead horizontal development from entitlement through grading, utilities, paving, and bond release.
• Demonstrated success managing multi-phase projects, consultants, contractors, and agency coordination across multiple jurisdictions.
• Track record of accurate cost modeling, value engineering, and delivery of site infrastructure on schedule and within budget.

Technical Expertise

• In-depth understanding of civil improvement plans, grading and drainage, stormwater systems, and dry/wet utilities.
• Strong knowledge of subdivision mapping, public works standards, and permitting processes with cities, counties, and special districts.
• Experience with bid preparation, cost estimation, impact/Quimby fees, and bonding or reimbursement agreements.
• Proficiency with project management and take-off tools (e.g., Procore, Bluebeam, Civil 3D, Excel) preferred.

Leadership & Management Skills

• Proven ability to build, motivate, and lead high-performing internal teams and external partners.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills for agency coordination and contractor management.
• Strategic thinker with financial acumen to evaluate land deal structures, development risks, and return profiles.
• Highly organized, results-oriented, and capable of managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary typically in the $130K – $250K range, commensurate with experience and project scale.
• Performance-based annual bonus opportunity.
• Eligibility for profit participation or equity in select projects.
• Comprehensive health benefits, vehicle allowance
• Free lunch on workdays