Managing Director of Development

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Hilltop Residential is seeking a highly motivated Managing Director of Development that will lead multifamily real estate projects from site selection and acquisition through construction and stabilization, primarily focusing on suburban, garden-style communities and lower density infill opportunities in the DFW metroplex. This role involves comprehensive coordination across all development phases including pre-development planning, zoning, project financing, construction, and lease-up. The ideal candidate has substantial experience in multifamily development, especially within the Greater Southeast US.

Hilltop Residential is a world-class real estate investment company that provides unparalleled excellence to our customers and investors. Hilltop Residential was founded in 2017 and currently owns and operates over $2 billion of multifamily properties throughout the major markets in Texas and the southeastern United States.

Hilltop is a certified Great Place to Work four years in a row, as well as being named a Top Workplace by the Houston Chronicle. We are searching for motivated and talented individuals to be a part of our growing Hilltop family.

Hilltop Residential Offers Great Benefits!

• Competitive Pay • 401k with Company Match • Comprehensive Medical and Dental plans • Paid Vision Plan • Paid Life Insurance • Employee Referral Program • Short and Long-Term Disability • Paid Time

Responsibilities:

Lead the full development life cycle from raw land identification through stabilized operations-ensuring every project meets targeted returns, schedule milestones, and quality standards.

Drive the pre-development process: conduct market and site analyses, oversee zoning and entitlement strategies, structure and underwrite deals, and prepare investment memoranda for executive and investor approval.

Source, negotiate, and close land acquisitions, including purchase-and-sale agreements, options, and joint-venture structures that optimize risk-adjusted returns.

Oversee comprehensive financial modeling (pro formas, IRR, sensitivity, and feasibility analyses) to guide go/no-go decisions and shape capital strategies.

Direct due-diligence efforts-environmental, geotechnical, title, survey, and permitting-mitigating risks and confirming project viability prior to closing.

Collaborate with internal construction management, design, and asset-management teams and external architects, engineers, and general contractors to align scope, budget, and timeline from schematic design through completion.

Coordinate capitalization with finance teams, helping secure debt and equity, monitoring draws, and tracking project budgets and contingencies.

Partner with marketing, leasing, and property management to craft pre-leasing strategies and achieve rapid lease-up and stabilization.

Cultivate and maintain relationships with municipal officials, utilities, brokers, consultants, and community stakeholders to expedite entitlements and expand the project pipeline.

Maintain an active prospect database; monitor industry trends and regularly report on pipeline status, project progress, and emerging opportunities to senior leadership.

Negotiate and manage vendor and service contracts, ensuring seamless hand-offs to operating teams and strict adherence to budgetary guidelines.

Champion cross-functional collaboration within the organization to align development initiatives with broader investment, construction, and operational goals.

Exercise decisive, independent leadership in a fast-paced environment-making timely decisions, reallocating resources, and resolving obstacles to keep projects on track.

Ensure compliance with corporate governance, sustainability, safety, and regulatory requirements across all project phases. Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Finance, Economics, Business, or related field.

5-10 years of experience in multifamily real estate development, acquisitions, or similar roles, with proven management experience.

Extensive experience developing projects in Southeast United States.

Experience with various construction types and full-cycle project management highly preferred.

Strong financial analysis and quantitative skills with proficiency in pro forma analysis.

Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.

Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, and possesses a high degree of professionalism and ethical standards.

Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.

This position reports directly to the Managing Partner of Development and will office in Dallas, TX.

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of job qualifications-not race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship or any other status or characteristic covered by federal, state or local law.