Director of Project Development - Ascendo Resources : Job Details

A vertically integrated real estate development and hospitality company, is seeking a highly skilled Project Development Director to lead a landmark luxury resort development in Upstate New York. This individual will oversee the entire lifecycle of the development-from early-stage planning and entitlement to design coordination, budgeting, construction, and final project delivery and turnover. The ideal candidate will bring a track record of leading complex mixed-use or hospitality developments with high design standards, financial rigor, and operational awareness. This is a high-impact leadership position within the company's development team and will serve as the central point of accountability for the project's success, on time and in budget.

• Must have Resort development experience

Key Responsibilities:

Oversee and coordinate the full development process for the resort project, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic objectives related to design quality, budget, schedule, and delivery.

Lead and manage the owner's representative team, acting as the point of integration across internal teams, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders.

Set and maintain clear project scope, deliverables, and performance targets throughout the project lifecycle.

Direct and monitor the design process, managing multiple architectural and engineering consultants to achieve a coherent, executable, and world-class design.

Oversee entitlement and permitting processes, ensuring compliance with local planning, zoning, environmental, and regulatory frameworks.

Provide hands-on oversight of project budgeting, cost tracking, and financial reporting; proactively identify variances and manage corrective actions.

Manage procurement, contract negotiation, and execution with general contractors, consultants, and vendors.

Supervise construction progress, quality control, and compliance with specifications.

Ensure all aspects of the development meet the company's luxury brand standards and operational objectives upon turnover.

Oversee early operational planning, including interfaces with hospitality operators, facility management, and service standards.

Skills & Qualifications:

Proven ability to lead complex, design-driven development projects from concept to completion.

Strong understanding of development finance, budgeting, and scheduling tools, including experience managing project budgets exceeding $200 million and controlling all aspects of the construction management and overseeing the selected GC for the project.

Demonstrated experience in contract review, title, insurance, and entitlements.

Familiarity with commercial, land-use processes, and zoning regulations.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to lead a multidisciplinary team of consultants, stakeholders, and internal staff.

High emotional intelligence, problem-solving mindset, and ability to navigate challenges proactively.

Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with a rigorous attention to detail.

• Including managing the process of various points of input from the hotel operator and brand to the architects and owners and investors

Experience Requirements:

Minimum 7+ years of experience in a full-charge development leadership role.

Experience overseeing ground-up mixed-use or luxury hospitality developments is essential.

Direct experience managing projects through all phases: planning, entitlement, design, pre-construction, construction, and turnover.