Vice President of Development - Adult

Vice President Of Development – Adult Active Living

Great States Development is a rapidly growing real estate development firm focused on active adult (55+) communities across the Midwest and Mountain West. We are seeking a Vice President of Development – Adult Active Living to lead the sourcing, underwriting, and execution of 55+ lifestyle-oriented communities.

This is a high-impact leadership role with direct influence on company growth, investment strategy, and long-term portfolio performance. This role is designed for a high-performing developer who wants to take ownership of a growing platform and scale it into a market-leading development operation. This position will report directly to the President of Great States Development.

Compensation Structure

• $200k/yr+ depending on experience
• Uncapped commission structure based on performance and deal execution
• Opportunity to partner on projects

Essential Job Functions

• Deal Sourcing & Pipeline Development
• Source and secure new Active Adult (55+) development opportunities
• Build and maintain a pipeline of off-market and brokered opportunities
• Lead initial underwriting, site selection strategy, and go/no-go decisions
• Capital Markets & Investor Relations
• Partner with executive leadership to structure capital stacks (debt/equity)
• Support or lead investor presentations, capital raises, and lender relationships
• Strategic Planning & Market Positioning
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify emerging trends, assess competitive landscapes, and make informed decisions regarding project feasibility and positioning
• Go-To-Market Strategy & Lease Up Execution
• Partner with marketing and operations teams to develop and execute lease-up strategies tailored to the Active Adult demographic
• Influence branding, positioning, and pre-leasing strategies to align with target resident profiles and drive early engagement
• Project Lifecycle Management
• Own the full lifecycle execution from site selection, due diligence, and entitlements through design, construction, and lease-up
• Financial Management & Feasibility
• Oversee project budgets, financial modeling, and financing structures to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget constraints
• Team Leadership & Partner Coordination
• Build and lead a high-performing team while coordinating across development, design, capital markets, marketing, and operations
• Nurture and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including landowners, brokers, municipalities, lenders, investors, and community members
• Mentor and develop internal team members as the platform grows
• Risk Management & Compliance
• Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize project delays, cost overruns, and other potential obstacles
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and zoning requirements throughout the development process
• Sustainability & Design Standards
• Integrate sustainable design principles and practices into development projects to enhance long-term value and environmental stewardship
• Reporting & Stakeholder Communication
• Serve as the primary point of accountability to executive leadership and capital partners for project performance, timelines, and financial outcomes

Education and Work Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate Development, Urban Planning, Architecture, Business Administration, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in real estate development, with direct experience in active adult, senior housing, hospitality, or lifestyle-driven residential communities strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Experience with ground-up development and amenity-rich, lifestyle-oriented residential communities
• Demonstrated success sourcing and executing development deals
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
• Proven ability to operate in a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment
• Strong financial acumen and proficiency in financial analysis, including real estate modeling, investment analysis and risk assessment.
• In-depth knowledge of real estate markets, zoning regulations, entitlement processes…