(Junior) Development Manager Full Time

Do you want to own projects end-to-end and help shape a growing residential development platform? Do you thrive when given real accountability for planning strategy, consultant performance, and project outcomes? If so, ELM may be the right place for you.

ELM Developments is a real estate development firm focused on sourcing, entitling, and delivering residential and mixed-use projects across Ontario. We take a disciplined, detail-oriented approach to development, working closely with consultants, municipalities, and internal teams to move projects efficiently from early-stage approvals through execution.

As our development platform continues to scale, we are seeking a Junior Development Manager or Development Manager to lead projects through the development lifecycle, from concept and entitlement through permit, registration, and occupancy. The level will be calibrated to the successful candidate’s experience.

THE ROLE

Reporting directly to Mark Zaky, Director, Development, this role will sit within ELM’s Investments team and take ownership of assigned development files. This is a hands-on, accountable role. You will drive the entitlement strategy, manage the consultant team, maintain the schedule and budget, and be a primary point of contact with municipalities and agencies for your projects. The scope and level of project ownership will be scaled to experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead all aspects of development approvals on assigned projects, including Draft Plans of Subdivision, Official Plan Amendments, Zoning By-law Amendments, Minor Variances, Site Plan Approvals, and building permit coordination.
• Develop and execute the entitlement strategy for each project, including risk assessment, OLT scenario planning, and council/committee engagement.
• Manage the full consultant team (planning, architecture, civil, transportation, landscape, noise, environmental, legal), including scoping, procurement, performance, and deliverables.
• Own project schedules, milestone tracking, and critical path management from acquisition through occupancy.
• Lead submissions, revisions, and resubmissions, including reviewing and interpreting technical reports and drawings to identify issues, opportunities, and alignment with ELM’s investment thesis.
• Liaise directly with municipal staff, councillors, agencies, and community stakeholders; represent ELM at statutory meetings and community consultations.
• Build and maintain project budgets and cash flows; track actuals against approved costs and flag variances to the Investments team.
• Understand the project’s financial drivers and how proforma assumptions translate into design, program, and phasing decisions on the development side.
• Review and approve consultant invoices, proposals, and change orders; track project-level budgets against approved costs.
• Coordinate internally across Investments, Construction, and Asset Management to maintain alignment through key project milestones.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready project documentation and reporting through ELM’s SharePoint system.

COMPENSATION

• Competitive compensation, commensurate with experience.
• Full-time, permanent position.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Undergraduate degree in Business, Real Estate, Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree (MBA, Master of Real Estate, or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
• 4+ years (Junior DM) or 6+ years (DM) of relevant experience in real estate development, planning, or a related discipline, with demonstrated ownership or co-ownership of entitlement files.
• Strong working knowledge of Ontario’s planning framework, including the Planning Act, municipal approval processes, and OLT practice.
• Proven ability to manage multi-disciplinary consultant teams and deliver projects on schedule and on budget.
• Ability to build and maintain project budgets and cash flows, and to read a proforma well enough to understand how financial assumptions shape design and program decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to municipal staff, councils, and community groups.
• High level of ethics and integrity.

ADDITIONAL ASSETS

• Direct experience with purpose-built rental development is a strong preference.
• Working knowledge of BlueBeam Revu.
• Experience working on projects that have gone to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

This role is designed to grow over time. Candidates hired as Junior Development Manager will progress toward Development Manager responsibilities; candidates hired as Development Manager will progress toward Senior Development Manager responsibilities, with continued advancement possible within the Investments team as ELM’s platform expands.

SUPPORT FROM ELM

At ELM, we strive to provide our team members with the best possible support. Here is an overview of the current perks we offer:

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities to help build the career you want and hit the goals you set, while ensuring you’re reaching your fullest potential
• Two weeks of Vacation in addition to public holidays
• A unique opportunity to build, grow and leave your impact on the historically significant and fast-growing industry of creating places to live, work, and play
• To find your place within a small team of quality professionals passionate about improving, supporting each other and our partners, and caring about our customers
• Company events including bi-weekly Lunch & Learns, and Summer/Winter celebrations.

If you are a results-driven, self-motivated individual who thrives in a collaborative and fast-paced environment, we invite you to join our team at ELM. You will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference, while working in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Thank you to all the applicants who have shown interest in this position. We appreciate the time and effort you have taken to apply.

While we carefully review every application we receive, we regret to inform you that only the candidates who are being considered for further evaluation will be contacted.

ELM Development is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified candidates to apply. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), we are committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities to support their participation in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.