Director of Development– Senior Housing

Benchmark has been a trailblazer in senior living for nearly 30 years, operating 70 communities with 7,400 associates across the Northeast. With $3 billion in assets under management and $700 million in annual revenue, the company is experiencing historic growth, expanding its footprint from Boston to Washington DC. Benchmark offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities, positioning itself as a leader within this growing real estate sector. Senior housing has consistently ranked among the top three real estate sectors for long-term investment returns, and with the Baby Boomer 80 population projected to grow over 5% annually through 2030, demand is surging.

Director of Development– Senior Housing

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Director of Development to lead and execute expansion projects across a growing portfolio of senior housing assets throughout New England. This role will be responsible for managing the full lifecycle of development projects—from early-stage feasibility and entitlements through design, construction, and project delivery.

The ideal candidate will have strong project management experience, a deep understanding of real estate development processes, and the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, third-party consultants, and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Overview

• Lead expansion projects across an existing senior housing portfolio, including additions, renovations, and repositioning initiatives
• Oversee all phases of development, including feasibility, design, permitting, construction, and closeout
• Coordinate and manage third-party consultants, including architects, engineers, planners, and attorneys
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and reporting systems

Acquisitions & Due Diligence

• Identify adjacent land target to acquire to support expansion plans.
• Negotiate purchase and sale agreements.
• Conduct due diligence on potential expansion opportunities, including acquisition of adjacent land parcels
• Coordinate third-party reports, site investigations, and feasibility analyses

Entitlements & Permitting

• Manage zoning, entitlement, and permitting processes across multiple jurisdictions in New England
• Prepare and submit applications for approvals, variances, and permits
• Represent projects at public hearings and community meetings

Design & Construction Coordination

• Oversee architectural and interior design processes to ensure alignment with project goals and brand standards
• Manage the bidding, selection, and oversight of contractors
• Coordinate construction activities and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget
• Oversee installation of FF&E and other owner-provided scopes

Financial Analysis & Reporting

• Develop project budgets and support preparation of project underwriting models
• Track project financial performance, including cost management, schedule management, and variance reporting

Investor & Executive Communication

• Prepare and deliver presentations to investors, executives, and internal stakeholders
• Prepare investment committee memoranda and present recommendations to executive leadership
• Provide regular updates on project status, risks, and financial performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• 5–7 years of experience in real estate development, construction management, or a related field
• Experience managing ground-up or expansion projects, ideally within senior housing, healthcare, or multifamily sectors
• Strong understanding of zoning, permitting, and entitlement processes
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• Ability to manage consultants, contractors, and cross-functional teams
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously