Entitlements & Government Relations Manager

The Land Development Entitlements & Government Affairs Manager is responsible for securing jurisdictional approvals and permits by leading political strategy, stakeholder alignment, and public positioning for land development projects.

Key Responsibilities

Political Strategy & Approval Leadership

· Develop and execute approval strategies tailored to each jurisdiction, accounting for political dynamics, staff priorities, and community sentiment.

· Lead direct engagement with elected officials, city leadership, and key influencers to build support for projects.

· Shape how projects are positioned publicly to improve likelihood of approval and reduce opposition.

· Identify decision-makers, power structures, and approval risks early—and actively manage outcomes.

· Serve as the lead negotiator in discussions related to zoning, land use, and development approvals.

Development Agreements & Public Deal Structuring

· Lead negotiation of development agreements, including phasing, obligations, and jurisdictional requirements.

· Partner with municipalities to structure agreements balancing project feasibility with public benefit.

· Participate in discussions related to public incentives, cost-sharing, and infrastructure participation.

· Translate business objectives into terms that can be supported politically and publicly.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

· Design and implement community engagement strategies to build support and mitigate opposition.

· Lead neighborhood meetings, public hearings, and outreach efforts with a focus on transparency and alignment.

· Anticipate objections and proactively address concerns through design, communication, or negotiation.

· Maintain ongoing relationships with community stakeholders across active markets.

Entitlements & Permitting Oversight

· Maintain accountability for securing all required entitlements and permits.

· Direct internal teams and consultants to prepare and process submittals aligned with approval strategy.

· Engage directly with agency reviewers to resolve issues and maintain momentum.

· Ensure approvals support project timing and constructability.

Cross-Functional Alignment & Project Positioning

· Partner with Land Acquisition to assess entitlement risk during underwriting.

· Influence project design and engineering decisions to improve approvability.

· Align with Construction teams to ensure approval conditions are practical and executable.

· Act as the bridge between internal teams and external decision-makers.

Risk Identification & Issue Resolution

· Identify political, regulatory, and community risks impacting approvals or viability.

· Develop mitigation strategies and alternative approval paths.

· Escalate and resolve issues through engagement with senior staff or elected officials.

Consultant & External Advisor Leadership

· Direct land use attorneys, planners, engineers, and public affairs consultants.

· Ensure all external efforts align with messaging and approval strategy.

· Hold consultants accountable for advancing approvals, not just deliverables.

Reporting & Executive Communication

· Provide clear updates on approval status, political landscape, and risks.

· Forecast approval outcomes and timelines based on technical and political factors.

· Advise leadership on strategy shifts needed to secure approvals.

Qualifications

· 5+ years of experience in land development, entitlements, government relations, or related field.

· Demonstrated success navigating political environments and securing project approvals.

· Strong understanding of municipal processes, zoning, and land use regulations.

· Experience negotiating development agreements or similar public-facing agreements preferred.

· Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills