Senior Manager - Property Permit

About the role

The Senior Manager - Property Permit is a pivotal leadership role within the Property Development Division, solely focused on expertly navigating and securing all necessary governmental permits, licenses, and essential support for the successful acquisition, layout design, construction of new store & mall extension, refresh projects and significant re redevelopments including overseeing the annual renewal permit management for all type of business permits in order to operate a business smoothly and legally. This role requires an unparalleled understanding of complex legal regulations, town plan & land use, zoning ordinances, related building acts and environmental permitting processes.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine a proactive and efficient strategy for the timely acquisition of all required permits, entitlements, and governmental approvals throughout the entire property development lifecycle (e.g., zoning changes, conditional use permits, master plans, environmental approvals, demolition permits, building permits, occupancy permits)
• Conduct thorough due diligence on prospective development sites to identify all permitting requirements, potential challenges, and associated risks and costs upfront
• Direct the meticulous preparation, accurate submission, and diligent tracking of all permit applications, ensuring completeness, technical accuracy, and strict compliance with all regulatory requirements
• Manage and oversee all public hearing processes, presentations, and community engagement efforts related to project entitlements and permits
• Proactively identify and assess all potential permitting risks inherent in proposed development projects (e.g., regulatory hurdles, political opposition, environmental constraints, unforeseen conditions)
• Work in lockstep with internal Property Development teams, including Land Acquisition, Project Management, Design, Construction, Legal, and Finance, to integrate permitting strategies seamlessly into overall project timelines, budgets, and critical path objectives
• Cultivate and maintain strong, productive working relationships with external consultants (e.g., architects, civil engineers, traffic engineers, environmental consultants, land use attorneys), and key government officials at local, regional, and national levels

About you

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Real Estate Development, Law, Environmental Science, or a closely related field
• Master's degree or relevant professional certification highly preferred
• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience directly in property permitting, land use, zoning, and entitlements, with at least 3-5 years specifically in a leadership or managerial capacity within a property development context
• Demonstrated and verifiable track record of successfully securing a wide range of complex permits in retail/wholesale industry
• Profound and current expert-level knowledge of local, regional, and national land use laws, zoning ordinances, building codes, environmental regulations (e.g., EIA processes, wetland delineation), and other pertinent statutory requirements impacting new development
• Strong understanding of the entire real estate development lifecycle, from site selection and acquisition through design, construction, and close-out
• Proven ability to expertly navigate highly complex bureaucratic processes, anticipate regulatory challenges, and build effective working relationships with government officials and diverse stakeholder groups
• Exceptional leadership, team building, and talent development skills, with a track record of motivating and guiding a specialized team
• Outstanding written and verbal communication, public speaking, and advanced negotiation skills, capable of influencing critical regulatory and political outcomes
• Superior analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decisive decision-making abilities under pressure