Case Study: Vice President of Entitlements & Development Management Recruiter

VP of Entitlements & Development Management for Merchant Developer Across Western & Sun Belt Markets

Navigating entitlement processes across multiple jurisdictions requires a highly specialized skill set, particularly for developers operating in competitive and complex markets. When a merchant developer focused on multifamily, student housing, and senior living projects needed a proven leader to manage entitlements and development execution, they partnered with Gill-Mac Partners to identify and recruit a Vice President capable of driving projects forward from early-stage approvals through construction readiness.

Client Profile

A merchant developer focused on sourcing, entitling, and executing ground-up Joint Venture market-rate multifamily (traditional, student, and senior housing) projects for merchant sale or recapitalization.

The Challenge

The firm needed an executive to navigate complex entitlement environments while coordinating consultants, municipalities, and internal stakeholders to de-risk projects prior to vertical construction.

The Assignment

Gill-Mac Partners was engaged on an exclusive basis to recruit this leader from a name-brand competitor who was a proven Vice President of Development.

Scope of Responsibility

• Zoning, land use, and entitlement strategy 

• Due diligence, Consultant management, and municipal coordination 

• Schedule and entitlement risk management 

• Transition from entitlements into construction

Outcome & Impact

The hire accelerated entitlement timelines, reduced development risk, and increased the firm’s ability to scale deal flow across multiple jurisdictions.

Choose Gill-Mac Partners As Your Real Estate Executive Recruiter

Recruiting senior development and entitlement leaders requires a deep understanding of local regulatory environments, project execution, and capital deployment strategies. Gill-Mac Partners specializes in executive search across real estate development, construction, and investment, identifying leaders who can move projects efficiently from concept to completion. By securing talent with proven experience in navigating complex entitlement processes, Gill-Mac helps clients reduce risk and scale their development pipelines with confidence.

If your organization is seeking leadership in development, entitlements, or project execution, contact Gill-Mac Partners to learn how our specialized real estate recruiting approach can help you secure the right executive talent.