Sr. Manager of Development

Extra Space Storage is seeking a Sr. Manager of Development to lead the front end of a national pipeline of ground-up and redevelopment self-storage projects.

Job Summary
The Sr. Manager of Development is responsible for leading pre-construction activities for a national portfolio of self-storage development and redevelopment projects. This role serves as a subject matter expert in commercial real estate development, with deep expertise across site due diligence, entitlement strategy, design management, permitting, cost estimating, and pre-construction execution.

The role partners closely with internal design, construction, asset strategy, and investment teams, as well as external consultants and public officials, to advance projects from concept through entitlement and into construction. The Sr. Manager develops investment-ready project concepts and budgets for approval by the Extra Space Real Estate Committee and is accountable for advancing approved projects toward targeted risk-adjusted returns.

• This position is posted as a Senior Manager, with potential to negotiate to Director based on candidate experience and qualifications

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead pre-development activities for self-storage development and redevelopment projects nationwide, coordinating with internal design teams, construction managers, and external architects, engineers, land-use attorneys, and government-relations consultants.

• Establish optimal entitlement strategies for each project, managing development applications and working directly with city planners, elected officials, and community stakeholders to navigate complex regulatory, political, and approval processes and secure zoning, land-use, and development entitlements on schedule.

• Oversee site due diligence activities, including zoning analysis, environmental review, utility availability, access, and constructability assessments, identifying risks early and proposing mitigation strategies.

• Develop preliminary site plans, massing studies, and design concepts that maximize return on investment while aligning with Extra Space Storage brand standards and community context.

• Prepare and refine project budgets and schedules using internal cost models and third-party cost estimators; validate assumptions and drive value-engineering efforts where appropriate.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with third-party professional service providers across multiple markets, ensuring consistent quality, accountability, and cost control.

• Actively manage multiple projects across different geographies and development stages simultaneously, demonstrating strong prioritization, time management, and execution discipline.

• Contribute to the evolution and standardization of Extra Space development processes, policies, and best practices; identify opportunities to improve efficiency through technology, software tools, and data-driven workflows.

• Collaborate with the Asset Strategy team to support real estate transactions, underwriting, and investment memoranda, and present development opportunities to the Extra Space Real Estate Committee.

• Partner with Construction Managers to transition entitled projects into construction, providing ongoing support through groundbreaking and certificate of occupancy as needed.

• Monitor trends in construction costs, materials, delivery methods, and regulatory environments, identifying opportunities to innovate and enhance Extra Space Storage development and construction standards.

• Uphold Extra Space Storage values and act as a responsible corporate citizen by engaging constructively with municipalities and communities throughout the development process.

Sr. Manager Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Construction Management, Real Estate or related degree from a four-year university or college.  

• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in real estate development, construction, or a related discipline.   

• MBA, MRED or equivalent graduate degree preferred. 

Director Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Construction Management, Real Estate or related degree from a four-year university or college.  

• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience in real estate development, construction, or a related discipline.

• MBA, MRED, or equivalent graduate degree preferred.

Job Specifications

• Demonstrated expertise in commercial real estate development, with a strong emphasis on pre-construction and entitlement activities.

• Proven project management capability, including the ability to manage complex, multi-market project portfolios.

• Strong financial and analytical skills, with experience evaluating development feasibility, budgets, and returns.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and industry-standard project management and development software (e.g., Procore, eBuilder, or similar platforms).

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to investment committees or Sr leadership.

• High attention to detail, strong judgment, and the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced environment.

• Resourceful, solution-oriented, and comfortable navigating ambiguity.

• Self-storage real estate experience preferred.

• Willingness to travel regularly.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Performs sedentary work in an office environment with limited lifting (less than 10 pounds) or walking required. Close visual acuity required to perform work at computer terminal. No exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Requires repetitive typing motion, talking, hearing, grasping and feeling.