Benefits

Job Description

oWOW Development

Job Title: Development Manager
Location: Oakland, CA

Type: Full-time, Onsite

About oWOW
At oWOW, we’re on a mission to create sustainable urban living.

As a vertically integrated real estate company, we bring together development, architecture, construction, component R&D, supply chain, and software development under one roof. These in-house capabilities allow us to push the boundaries to create a superior product.

Our team has worked on groundbreaking projects, including the tallest mass timber building on the West Coast, the first mass-timber multifamily building in San Francisco, and we’re on track to develop 2,000+ affordable housing units across the State of California.

Current focus is on ground-up development of 4% LIHTC projects in California and nationwide. We are leveraging oWOW’s integrated capabilities to create a platform capable of delivering affordable housing in desirable urban-infill locations at half of cost per unit compared to typical affordable housing projects.

Development Manager Mission:
The Development Manager is both a manager and an individual contributor responsible for the success of multiple projects simultaneously. They lead by example — driving schedule and budget discipline, ensuring accountability across all teams, and maintaining alignment through transparent communication, rigorous financial control, and data-driven decision-making. They eliminate ambiguity, replace “I” with “We,” and build systems that ensure clarity, ownership, and forward motion.

Key Responsibilities

Project Vision to Execution

Lead 2–6 multifamily development projects from feasibility through construction start and stabilization.
Develop and gain approval of initial site strategy, test-fits, and LIHTC applications for 3+ projects concurrently.
Translate approved project concepts into actionable drawings, budgets, and schedules that align financial, architectural, and regulatory objectives.
Determine and execute entitlement and permitting pathways; secure required approvals on aggressive timelines.
Coordinate closely with design, construction, and investments teams to align project deliverables with underwriting and financing milestones.

Schedule & Critical Path Management

Build and maintain project schedules, identify critical path items, and manage concurrent work streams.
Facilitate meetings with city planning, building, and utility agencies to secure timelines and commitments in writing.
Manage schematic, design development, and construction document phases with internal and external teams.
Hold monthly schedule review meetings to identify and resolve variances.
Drive accountability for all consultants, contractors, and partners to meet schedule milestones.

Financial Control & Budget Management

Create detailed budgets for each project and align them with proforma assumptions.
Manage financial tracking, invoice approvals, and forecasting in collaboration with accounting and investments teams.
Lead monthly budget reviews and variance analyses, adjusting budgets and schedules as needed to maintain financial integrity.
Secure, review, and negotiate consultant and contractor contracts; ensure all commitments are accurately tracked.
Support pre-construction pricing, GC contract drafting, and coordination for financing close.

Team Leadership & Alignment

Manage internal staff and external consultants with equal accountability and clarity of ownership.
Drive a culture of transparency, proactive problem-solving, and shared responsibility.
Build systems that prevent ambiguity — every deliverable has an owner and every milestone has a deadline.
Lead meetings with data, design markups, and actionable next steps; encourage collaborative decision-making.

Reporting & Forecasting

Prepare and deliver monthly project reports including budget, schedule, variance tracking, and risk updates.
Produce rolling 12-month forecasts for cost and schedule projections aligned with accounting and investor requirements.
Support preparation of investor reporting and lender due diligence documentation.

Qualifications

7-10+ years of experience in real estate development, architecture, engineering, construction management, or combination thereof.
Proven track record leading multiple multifamily or mixed-use projects through entitlement, permitting, and financing.
Deep understanding of LIHTC programs, affordable housing finance, or public/private development partnerships preferred.
Strong technical literacy in design and construction processes, including ability to mark up drawings and interpret codes.
Proficiency with Excel proformas, scheduling tools (Smartsheet, MS Project, or equivalent), and Bluebeam.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field in the industry.

Core Values

Ownership: Acts as both a manager and individual contributor, accountable for results.
Curiosity: Continuously questions assumptions and uses design and code to solve complex problems.
Teamwork: Replaces “I” with “We,” ensuring shared responsibility across all teams.
Discipline: Drives projects to stay on budget and on schedule, without excuses.

Compensation

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus performance-based bonuses potential based on KPIs. Additionally, project promote shares are provided to employees. Full benefits include health, dental, vision, and retirement plan (non-matching).

Why Join Us
At oWOW, you’ll be part of a highly dynamic and dedicated team pioneering new solutions for one of the nation’s most urgent challenges: housing. You’ll gain exposure to innovative real estate development, cutting-edge building technologies, and institutional investment processes–all while contributing to projects that make a real impact in communities. We offer a collaborative culture, opportunities for growth, and the chance to shape the future of housing.

Development

oWOW

• 1-100 employees

At oWOW, we’re on a mission to create sustainable urban living.

As a vertically integrated real estate company, we unite real estate development, architectural design, R&D in building components and software development under one roof.

Our team has worked on groundbreaking projects, including the tallest mass timber building on the West Coast, and we’re on track to develop 2,000+ affordable housing units across the state of California. Why stop there?

Learn more about this company

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