Real Estate Site Development Manager in Salisbury

At Food Lion, Associates are the most important assets to our organization. We want associates to have meaningful careers full of variety and challenges. Each associate contributes to the overall success of Food Lion, and in return, we strive to provide all associates with a fulfilling work experience and reward performance and commitment. We are committed to the professional development of our associates through on-the-job learning opportunities and training.

Position Summary

The Site Development Manager is responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of new store site development projects from inception to completion. This role ensures that all aspects of land development—including permitting, design, budgeting, scheduling, and construction—are managed efficiently and align with company goals and regulatory requirements. The manager collaborates with internal teams, external consultants, contractors, and government agencies to deliver high-quality, cost-effective, and timely site development solutions.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage multiple new store project lease agreements from concept design to store openings.
• Ensure the developer meets lease agreement obligations relative to entitlements, schedule projections and due diligence.
• Provide necessary support to prepare and present project details for internal approval.
• Conduct and provide project planning and scope preparation for new store projects to ensure risks are mitigated, internal expectations are achieved and drive successful project completion.
• Ensure entitlement, permit and approval processes are adequately planned for and hold the developer accountable to the lease agreements and timing of critical milestones.
• Provide project updates and reporting with the ability to identify risks to feasibility, budget and schedule.
• Proactively resolve any issues pertaining to developer’s responsibilities.
• Exhibit effective verbal and written communication skills across a diverse audience.
• Work with internal and external partners to determine priorities and scope for due diligence to manage costs and meet schedules.
• Ensure the developers provide timely documentation and milestones in accordance with the lease agreements (i.e., Phase I, Geotechnical reports, etc.).
• Develop strong working relationships with all key stakeholders, with emphasis on Real Estate Managers, and peers in Store Development, Retail Services, and Retail Operations.
• Review external developer’s budget and schedule for feasibility and accountability.

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years in retail site development, land development project management or construction.
• Knowledge of retail site development design, real estate entitlement processes, and project management.
• Strong knowledge of zoning, permitting, and land use regulations.
• Proficient in project management.
• Must be able to read and interpret plans; specifications; building codes; and lease exhibits.
• Must be able to create new processes where needed, and drive accountability and execution in cross-functional environment.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills, able to represent the company with the highest levels of efficacy and ethics within the marketplace.
• Decision Making: must be able to evaluate complex situations, analyze options and make sound recommendations.
• A high-energy individual, able to be successful in a fast-paced environment.
• An individual possessing the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

Preferred qualifications

• Demonstrated track record of leadership for a high growth business unit/region.
• Demonstrated ability of initiative and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability strategic planning.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Education

• B.A./B.S. degree required.

Experience

• 5+ years in real estate development and construction.

Skills and abilities

• Strong leadership, decision-making, and critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge of commercial real estate that includes site evaluation, city/county/state regulations, building and permitting process, traffic flow, easements, etc.
• Ability to effectively resolve financial and contractual issues and disputes.
• High personal standards in accordance with company standards.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Quality of Work.
• Adaptability and Flexibility.
• Communication.
• Use of Influence.
• Planning and Organization.
• 50% of travel needed.

Food Lion provides equal employment opportunities to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or gender expression or any other characteristic protected by law. If you have a disability and require assistance in the application process, please contact our Recruiting Department at recruiting@foodlion.com.