Director of Development & Construction - San Francisco

Job Description

Job Description

Jamestown

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION/LEVEL: Director, Development FLSA STATUS: Exempt

DEPT/OFFICE: Development & Construction DATE: July 2025

About Jamestown

Jamestown is a design-focused, vertically integrated real estate investment and management firm with a mission to transform spaces into vibrant community hubs. With over 40 years of experience, we specialize in placemaking and value-driven redevelopment. Our portfolio includes iconic projects like Chelsea Market, Industry City, Ghiradelli Square, and Ponce City Market. At Jamestown, we shape cities through design, and lasting impact.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director, Development is a dynamic and entrepreneurial real estate professional who is adept in the repositioning/value-add components of office and retail re-development. This individual will lead select development initiatives across a national portfolio, with an initial emphasis on entitlements and early-stage planning activities. The role requires an ability to assess feasibility, develop project scopes and budgets, and work within site, lease, and zoning constraints to unlock value and drive project viability.

Success in this position demands a blend of strategic thinking, strong financial acumen, and the ability to evaluate multiple development scenarios quickly and thoroughly. The Director will oversee all phases of the development lifecycle from initial vision and feasibility through entitlements and execution. This individual must be able to distill complex physical and regulatory conditions into clear development pathways, engaging internal and external teams to execute accordingly. Program management, analytical rigor, and the ability to direct consultants and technical experts with precision and clarity are critical. This role also calls for exceptional writing and communication skills, as the Director will regularly develop internal recommendations, consultant deliverables, and executive-facing materials.

The Director will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners, including the President, Acquisitions, Asset Management, and Construction, to ensure alignment between developing strategy and broader investment objectives. This is a highly visible role that contributes to portfolio-level decisions and long-term asset planning. The position reports directly to the Head of Construction & Development and plays an important parts in departmental planning and execution.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s level degree in Real Estate, Engineering, Management or a related field.
• Must possess strong working knowledge of commercial real estate - retail, office and residential, building operations, and construction management.
• More than fifteen experience in institutional level real estate management
• Must have development and/or redevelopment experience, including oversight of designers, consultants and contractors.
• Possess strong budgeting and scheduling skills.
• Strong ability to handle multiple priorities and tight deadlines.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Generation and Analysis of Vision– Responsible for execution and formulation of the vision for redevelopment and repositioning improvements for various assets. Keeper and driver of master redevelopment vision. Must possess understanding of all key design decisions and the background of why specific decisions are made and where constraints exist. Ability to communicate constraints to allow for go/no go decisions early in the process. Provide information regarding evolving vision to the property management, marketing and leasing teams. Manage consultants including:
  • Architects
  • Engineers
  • Specialty Consultants (food and beverage specialists, political strategists, etc.)
  • Legal (for entitlements efforts)
  • Ensure all consultant work aligns with project vision, timeline, and budget.
  • Provide clear scopes of work and ongoing performance oversight.
• Entitlement Oversight and Reporting – Lead execution of entitlements strategy for IDB asset, including but not limited to pursuit of commercial use allocation via city and state processes, and amendments to existing ground leases. Understand priority of various entitlement efforts, and the timing of such initiatives and how they relate to leasing various components of property at various times in the project life cycle. Ensure compliance with variety of design initiatives.
• Community & Government Relations– Develop a strong and positive relationship with community and municipal leaders and departments, particularly those groups with influence with respect to entitlements efforts. Monitor and manage political and public dynamics that may impact entitlements or project timing in several key markets.
• Development Opportunity Evaluation–
  • Conduct site-specific development assessments across the portfolio, identifying value-add and repositioning opportunities.
  • Lead internal evaluation of zoning, site constraints, and market demand.
  • Prepare pro formas and scenario-based analysis to support investment decisions.
  • Support short term intervention and training of local teams of developers
  • Ensure compliance with vision throughout development
  • Follow up specific development opportunities on assets throughout portfolio from identification of constraints, market payoff, development of pro-forma to allow for go/no go decision
  • Develop zoning expertise in multiple key markets
  • Critical assessment of existing portfolio for development value-adds opportunities
  • Review property level budgets and variances
• Project Oversight and Execution
  • Ensure development projects are aligned with the approved visions, scope, and budget throughout execution.
  • Review and monitor property-level budgets, financial performance, and variance reporting.
  • Coordinate closely with Construction, Asset Management, Leasing, and other departments to ensure seamless delivery.
• Zoning & Regulatory Expertise
  • Build and maintain working knowledge of zoning, code, and entitlement frameworks in key markets.
  • Monitor emerging regulatory risks and opportunities that could affect development potential or timelines.
• Special Projects & Portfolio Support
  • Lead or support special initiatives focused on unlocking hidden value across the portfolio.
  • Special projects include analysis of value-add opportunities on various assets throughout the portfolio.
  • Flexibility adapt to changing priorities and business needs, including travel or after-hours work as required.
  • Take on additional duties or analysis assignment that contribute to the company’s overall development strategy.
• Other Duties as Assigned
  • It is understood that these stated responsibilities are demanding and fluid. Requirements and focus, by necessity, may change from time to time and additional responsibilities assigned when appropriate. Other than normal business hours will be necessary from time to time.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Information Systems and Technology:

• Strong computer skills and understanding of MS Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Fluent in commercial real estate accounting and information software.
• Familiar with drawing review and construction information software
• Exceptional knowledge of budgeting, recoveries and billings.
• iPad and applications
• Knowledge of MRI and Argus is a plus

Skilled in:

• Organizational and interpersonal skills
• The ability to meet deadlines, accomplish work in order of priority, professionally maintain composure & effectiveness under pressure and changing conditions
• Self-motivation, leadership, teamwork and collaboration.
• Conflict Management Resolution
• Detail-oriented, logical, and methodical approach to problem solving
• Written and verbal communication
• Public speaking and presentations

Working Conditions:

• Responsibilities may require an adjusted work schedule, travel, and evening/weekend hours to meet deadlines or attend special events. Please be aware this is an IN OFFICE role with travel NOT REMOTE!