What are the responsibilities and job description for the Development Manager position at Scout HR Services?
Senior Living Development Manager
Compensation: $140,000–$170,000 base salary.
Scout is partnered with a family-owned real estate development and design-build platform based in Metro Detroit to hire a Senior Living Development Manager.
Reporting directly to the Chief Investment Officer, this person will lead senior housing projects from site selection and underwriting through entitlements, design, financing coordination, construction, and community opening. The role combines financial analysis and project leadership with close collaboration across operators, municipalities, design teams, and capital partners.
This is an opportunity for an experienced development professional who wants ownership of the full lifecycle and can personally drive projects forward—evaluating opportunities, resolving obstacles, holding partners accountable, and delivering communities that balance investment performance with resident experience and operational needs.
What You’ll Do
- Lead site selection, acquisition efforts, and feasibility analysis, evaluating demographics, market demand, competition, and overall project viability.
- Develop and stress-test pro formas, development budgets, and underwriting assumptions; help build and defend the investment case and track costs, contingency, and cash flow throughout development.
- Own due diligence and entitlements, coordinating environmental, geotechnical, survey, title, zoning, and utility reviews while driving municipal approvals and resolving jurisdictional or regulatory issues.
- Lead architects, engineers, interior designers, and consultants through design and preconstruction, partnering with senior living operators to align the building program with the care model, operating requirements, budget, and quality expectations.
- Support debt and equity financing efforts, prepare investment materials, and manage relationships with lenders, joint-venture partners, operators, brokers, and other project stakeholders.
- Drive development schedules through construction and operational handoff, coordinating progress, change orders, draws, and delivery with construction teams, and licensing, pre-opening, and lease-up with operators. Provide leadership with clear reporting on milestones, risks, and solutions.
What We’re Looking For
- 7 years of progressive real estate development experience, with a demonstrated record of delivering ground-up projects from concept through completion.
- Strong command of development underwriting, pro forma modeling, budgeting, and schedule management.
- Experience navigating zoning, entitlements, permitting, and municipal approval processes, including working with planning commissions, city councils, and third-party consultants.
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and negotiate effectively with municipalities, consultants, contractors, operators, and capital partners.
- A record of personally resolving difficult project issues, managing competing priorities, and keeping developments moving with sound judgment and accountability.
- Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Construction Management, Finance, Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, or a related field.
Direct senior living development experience is highly attractive. Candidates with healthcare, multifamily, active adult, or hospitality development experience are also encouraged to apply. Familiarity with senior housing licensure, applicable Certificate of Need requirements, life-safety standards, and care-model operations is a plus, as is experience with joint ventures and institutional capital partners. MBA, MRED, LEED, CCIM, or PMP credentials are beneficial but not required.
Location & Travel: Metro Detroit-based, with travel to project sites, municipal offices, and operator facilities as needed. Occasional evening commitments for public hearings and community meetings.
Salary : $140,000 - $170,000