Forward Planning Manager

Overview

BREAK GROUND ON A REWARDING CAREER WITH US!

The Sekisui House U.S. team is a proud builder of the SHAWOOD, Richmond American Homes, Woodside Homes, Holt Homes, Hubble Homes, and Chesmar Homes brands.  We take great pride in being a member of Sekisui House, a global leader in homebuilding. This impressive, 60 year old company has built over 2.6 million new homes designed to reflect and adapt to the changing needs of today's homebuyers. Drawing on Sekisui House's unparalleled history and superior service, we commit ourselves to a future where people around the world can live joyful lives in homes that are safe, secure, stylish and comfortable. 

We encourage a company culture that promotes professionalism, teamwork, health & wellness and work-life balance. If you are a results-driven professional with a passion for success, consider building a career with us.

Positive Work Environment & Culture

• Collaborative Team Culture: Join a supportive environment where teamwork and the open exchange of ideas are highly valued.
• Team Engagement: Participate in a variety of team-building events and social gatherings, such as company outings, holiday celebrations, and regular office socials. We support a healthy work-life balance and recognize the importance of time outside of work commitments. 

Overview & Position Summary

This role manages key planning and entitlement activities that support the advancement of residential development projects from concept through approval. The position works independently to coordinate with municipalities, consultants, and cross-functional teams to ensure regulatory requirements are met and project timelines remain on track. It applies advanced knowledge of planning processes to solve moderately complex issues and guide decision-making that impacts team results.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the preparation, submission, and tracking of entitlement and planning documents, including zoning applications, tentative maps, design reviews, and environmental reports.
• Coordinate with municipalities, regulatory agencies, and utility providers to obtain necessary approvals and resolve project-related issues.
• Lead the work of external consultants - such as planners, engineers, architects, and environmental specialists, to ensure deliverables align with project objectives, regulatory requirements, and timelines.
• Analyze planning, zoning, and environmental regulations to determine project feasibility and identify constraints or risks that may impact development.
• Collaborate with internal teams across land acquisition, development, construction, design, and operations to align project assumptions and mitigate planning challenges.
• Prepare reports, entitlement schedules, project status updates, and planning analyses for leadership review and decision-making.
• Identify and recommend process improvements and best practices that enhance planning efficiency and departmental performance.

Education & Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, engineering, architecture, environmental studies, geography, public policy, real estate development, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in planning, entitlement, community development, or related fields; or 9–11 years of equivalent experience.

Preferred:

• Experience within the residential construction or homebuilding industry.

Skills & Competencies

• Broad knowledge of land use planning, entitlement procedures, zoning regulations, and environmental requirements.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple planning efforts simultaneously.
• Ability to evaluate complex planning documents, engineering drawings, and regulatory guidelines.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills for interactions with agencies, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, applying past experience and judgment to resolve difficult issues.
• Proficiency with planning software, GIS tools, and project tracking systems.
• Strong organizational abilities and attention to detail in managing schedules and documentation.
• Ability to influence team practices and approaches within the planning function and across related disciplines.
• Collaborative working style with the ability to drive alignment across cross-functional partners.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior staff members.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in a general office environment with periodic visits to municipal offices, public meetings, consultant offices, and land or development sites. Site visits may involve exposure to outdoor conditions, uneven terrain, and active development environments. Occasional regional travel may be required to support planning and entitlement activities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods during office tasks and meetings.
• Ability to walk undeveloped or partially developed sites with uneven terrain.
• Ability to lift and carry materials up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and planning tools.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families: 

• Competitive Compensation: We provide a competitive compensation structure that rewards performance and results.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive coverage includes medical, dental, and vision insurance options, as well as Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Financial Future: Access a 401(k) retirement savings plan.
• Time Off: Our time-off benefits include vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, and other leave types (bereavement, jury duty, FMLA, military leave).
• Insurance & Protection: Company-provided life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage are included. An employee assistance program (EAP) is also available. 
• Exclusive Perks & Discounts
• Homeownership & Financing: Take advantage of exclusive home purchase and financing discounts.
• Pet Insurance: Enjoy discounted group pet insurance rates.

If you are ready for more than a job and seek a career with one of the most respected organizations in the industry, we encourage you to connect with us. Please visit our website at www.richmondamerican.com for additional information.

Sekisui House U.S., Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.