Development Manager

The Missner Group is a Chicago-based industrial real estate and construction firm with a decades-long track record in acquisition and development across the Midwest. We're entrepreneurial, vertically integrated, and hands-on with deep experience delivering speculative and build-to-suit industrial product throughout the Chicago market. 

We operate as a lean, high-performing team where accountability, initiative, and ownership are expected. This role offers meaningful exposure to senior leadership and the opportunity to drive live industrial projects from concept through completion. 

The Role 

You'll sit at the intersection of acquisitions and development — assisting with the evaluation of new opportunities and leading projects from initial underwriting and entitlement through construction and delivery.  

What You'll Own: 

• Lead Industrial development projects from initial site evaluation and due diligence through entitlement, design coordination, construction, and delivery 
• Manage third-party/vendor partnerships, including civil engineers, environmental engineers, land planners, surveyors, and traffic consultants 
• Drive accountability, scope adherence, and budget control across all consultants 
• Reviewing and interpreting civil, environmental, and geotechnical reports to assess project feasibility and risk 
• Direct permitting and entitlement processes with municipalities 
• Review and interpret civil, environmental, traffic, and geotechnical reports to assess feasibility and risk 
• Oversee zoning analysis and entitlement strategy 
• Manage project schedules, development budgets, and cash flow forecasting 
• Coordinate with internal construction teams to ensure alignment during preconstruction and execution 
• Participate in value engineering and scope optimization 
• Prepare investment summaries and development updates for internal leadership 
• Acquisitions support — site evaluation, underwriting, and deal structuring 

What We're Looking For 

• 5+ years of experience in real estate development, construction management, or related field 
• Experience with industrial, commercial, or land development is strongly preferred 
• Demonstrated experience leading entitlements and municipal approval processes 
• Strong financial modeling skills and advanced Excel proficiency 
• Experience overseeing third-party consultants and driving accountability 
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment 
• Ability to read and interpret construction and civil engineering documents 
• Experience managing civil engineers, environmental consultants, surveyors, and other third-party professionals 
• A degree in Civil Engineering is a plus, but not required — we’re open to Real Estate, Construction Management, Architecture, Finance, or related fields 

Why The Missner Group 

• Competitive compensation + annual performance and company-wide bonus  
• Full health benefits — medical, dental, vision, and disability 
• 401(k) Employer match  
• Generous PTO and paid holiday schedule  
• 3 PM close every Friday + Summer Friday half-days  
•  Full-cycle exposure across active industrial developments  
• Direct access to senior leadership 
• Strong Chicago industrial pipeline and established Midwest platform 
• High-performing, close-knit integrated development/construction team with deep Chicago roots