Development Manager

Company Description:

Providence Development is a high-performing, award-winning real estate development company based in Bozeman, Montana. We specialize in the ground-up development of Marriott and Hilton select-service and extended-stay hotels, multifamily/BTR, and opportunistic land/commercial development. With a long-term hold strategy, we have developed and built over $1 billion in real estate projects across six different states. We are a lean, execution-driven team that values ownership mentality, accountability, and thoughtful decision-making. 

Position Overview:

The Development Manager will play a critical role in sourcing, underwriting, entitling, designing, and advancing new development projects from initial feasibility through start of construction. This individual will work closely with executive leadership, internal finance and construction teams, and a broad range of external consultants and municipal stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and comfortable driving multiple workstreams simultaneously. They understand how early-stage decisions affect long-term project viability and are willing to challenge assumptions, refine scopes, and manage schedules to maximize value. This role is best suited for someone who is comfortable exercising real decision-making authority and wants exposure across the full development lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities:

Development & Entitlements

• Lead and manage all aspects of the entitlement process for new development projects, including coordination with municipalities, planning staff, and public bodies
• Manage cost and timeline expectations for architects, engineers, planners, and other third-party consultants
• Attend and represent the company at public hearings, work sessions, and community meetings
• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate entitlement and regulatory risks prior to land acquisition or significant capital commitment
• Coordinate surveys, title review, and secure necessary easements and agreements

Feasibility & Underwriting Support

• Conduct market research and build like-kind project comparisons (rents, ADR, operating expenses, unit mix, taxes, insurance, etc.)
• Evaluate site conditions, product types, design efficiencies, and competitive positioning
• Maintain clear, concise documentation supporting development assumptions and viability conclusions

Scheduling & Coordination

• Work closely with leadership and the internal construction and finance team to align development strategy, feasibility, design decisions, budgets, and schedules
• Develop and maintain development schedules from project inception through start of construction
• Coordinate internal and external teams to ensure milestones are met
• Proactively identify risks to schedule and work collaboratively to resolve them

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with consultants, municipal staff, partners, and external vendors 
• Serve as a professional point of contact representing Providence Development in external settings

Qualifications and Requirements:

• 8 years of experience in real estate development, with a strong focus on multifamily and/or hospitality development
• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, construction management, civil engineering, architecture
• Master’s degree (i.e., MRED, MSRE, or similar) is a plus
• Direct experience overseeing entitlements, consultants, and early-stage design processes 
• Demonstrated experience working directly with municipalities, including presenting projects to planning commissions, city councils, and other public bodies
• Strong understanding of development feasibility, market analysis, and project economics
• Experience supporting or leading leasing strategy, tenant coordination, or pre-leasing efforts as part of the development process
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with high attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams), SharePoint, Bluebeam / Adobe, and AI-assisted workflows
• Experience working with the City of Bozeman or similar municipalities is a strong plus

Compensation & Schedule:

• Base Salary: $145,000 – $160,000, depending on experience
• Bonus Incentive: Eligible for performance-based incentive compensation
• Employment Type: Full-time, exempt
• Work Environment: In-office role based in Bozeman, MT
• Benefits: Company-sponsored health care plan
• PTO: Flexible paid time off policy
• Holidays: Paid company holidays, including paid office closure between Christmas and New Year’s