Job Description

Who is Centinel?

Headquartered in Nashville, TN, Centinel Public Partnerships is dedicated to enhancing the lives of U.S. military members and their families through its high-quality housing and lodging communities. We bring nearly 25 years of experience to one of the largest military housing privatization portfolios in the United States, including 10 housing communities and over 70 hotels across 26 states and Puerto Rico. We’re proud of the exceptional communities and lodging experiences we provide to service members and their families in partnership with WinnResidential Military Housing Services and IHG® Hotels & Resorts, hotel operator and manager of IHG Army Hotels.

Job Summary

The Development Operations Director is responsible for establishing and managing the operational framework, policies, and tools embedded throughout the development business. This role aims to ensure effective governance, streamlined operations, and continuous improvements in productivity. The role leads the creation and execution of strategic operational plans and policies, oversees their implementation, and fosters strong relationships with key stakeholders. They also guide the allocation of resources to achieve company objectives, while ensuring alignment with stakeholder expectations and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities & Duties

The following statements summarize the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not an exhaustive list.

• Guide teams to the most efficient use of resources by identifying needs for key initiatives and evaluating return on investment, ensuring alignment with established parameters.
• Analyze development, construction, cost and project data – e.g., cost per unit, delivery path comparisons, and escalation trends – to uncover actionable insights, identify industry trends, and craft compelling proposals that demonstrate strategic development capabilities to clients, stakeholders, and senior leadership.
• Enforce consistent document and data management practices across the portfolio, ensuring the use of approved technologies. Ensure operational activities across the Development business are fiscally responsible, ethically sound, and aligned with compliance and business objectives.
• Oversee and enhance internal operations from project origination through delivery. Support the Development team in managing risks and achieving key targets related to safety, sustainability, financial performance, and strategic goals.
• Assess economic and technological trends to mitigate risks and leverage opportunities that could impact the Development team’s performance and resilience.
• Support the Senior Vice President (SVP) of Development in day-to-day portfolio administration, including interactions and standing meetings with clients, project companies, design and construction teams and other stakeholders.
• Assist the SVP of Development with preparing and managing contracts, schedules, and budgets as needed.
• Periodically travel to and conduct detailed investigations at various sites – independently or with design consultants – and develop strategies to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities for the project or portfolio. All sites are domestic (including Alaska and Hawaii), and travel expenses are covered by the company.
• Support on-site project teams’ preparation and tracking of development budgets, operating budgets, financial proformas, monthly cost reports, and business plans.
• Oversee general contractors during project execution to ensure delivery on time, within budget, and in accordance with quality standards.
• Manage change orders, RFIs, and construction-related challenges with a focus on minimizing risk and limiting impacts to cost and schedule.
• Represent Centinel at networking events, industry forums, and tradeshows as part of its public relations and engagement strategy.
• Develop and maintain operational frameworks that support both national and regional innovation efforts, ensuring alignment with the broader development business.

Background and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate development, engineering, architecture, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-graduate experience in real estate development, design, construction project management, or a closely related field.
• Working knowledge of site planning, market analysis, financial forecasting, budgeting, and governmental entitlement processes.
• Background in large-scale residential land development projects, including infrastructure and utility coordination, is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrable experience managing multiple complex projects simultaneously with a critical eye and advanced organizational and project delivery skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence internal and external partners at all levels.
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgment in evaluating risk, making decisions, and solving complex problems.
• Proven ability to deliver high quality projects, on time and within budget.
• Highly aware and excellent communicator with strong written, verbal, negotiation, and presentation skills. Able to adjust messaging based on keen situational awareness.
• Comfortable setting goals and taking ownership of outcomes, with a demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Knowledge of key real estate development transaction components, including contractual agreements (e.g., leases, real property registrations, titling, entitlements, environmental compliance, etc.) and financial proforma (e.g., key inputs, assumptions, risks, PV, FV, amortization, IRR, etc.).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams.
• Capable and willing to travel (estimated at once per quarter) to project sites spread across the country, including Alaska and Hawaii.
• General knowledge of property management platforms is preferred; experience with Yardi is a considerable plus.
• Familiarity with public-private partnerships or incentive-based development programs is a plus.

Ready to Apply?

If you’re still reading there is a good chance you’re interested in applying; if so, we’re ready to hear from you.

Send an email to CentinelPeople@centinelus.com expressing your interest. Be sure to attach your resume – ideally in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format – to the email. We’re a lean team, and while we review all applications we aren’t in a position to reply to everyone.

Centinel is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating outstanding, caring communities where our employees work and thrive. We believe a strong community is the foundation for people to flourish. As such, we comply with all federal, state, and local laws, including the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Act and Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. For more information, please contact CentinelPeople@centinelus.com.

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