Director of Hospitality Real Estate Development

CANDIDATES MUST LIVE IN OR CLOSE TO ORLANDO + HAVE PRE-CONSTRUCTION REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE. Director / VP, Pre-Development & Land Acquisition (Hospitality & Luxury Residential) Location: Orange & Osceola Counties, Florida Overview We are seeking a highly strategic and execution-focused leader to drive pre-development initiatives for high-end hospitality and luxury condominium projects. This role will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and securing prime land opportunities, while overseeing the full pre-construction lifecyclefrom concept and feasibility through transaction and handoff to construction. This individual will operate at the intersection of real estate, finance, design, and brand strategy, playing a critical role in shaping luxury destinations from the ground up. ? Key Responsibilities Land Acquisition & Site Identification Source and evaluate off-market and on-market land opportunities in Orange and Osceola Counties Build relationships with brokers, landowners, municipalities, and local stakeholders Conduct site feasibility analysis including zoning, entitlements, utilities, and environmental factors Lead negotiation and execution of land acquisition agreements Pre-Development & Feasibility Oversee due diligence, underwriting, and financial modeling in partnership with finance Define project vision, positioning, and highest-and-best use Collaborate with sales & marketing teams to shape product mix, unit design, and pricing strategy Coordinate with architects, planners, and consultants during early design phases Project Scoping & Entitlements Lead entitlement processes including zoning approvals, permitting, and regulatory coordination Manage civil engineering scope including infrastructure, grading, and site development plans Ensure alignment with brand standards and luxury positioning Cross-Functional Leadership Partner with finance on deal structuring, pro formas, and exit strategies Work closely with sales & marketing to ensure market alignment and product-market fit Serve as the internal lead bridging development, design, and investment teams Execution & Handoff Oversee pre-construction timelines, budgets, and deliverables Prepare projects for seamless transition to Project Management and General Contractor teams Maintain accountability for project viability through transaction and pre-build readiness ? Qualifications 815+ years of experience in real estate development, land acquisition, or pre-construction, ideally within hospitality or luxury residential Proven track record sourcing and executing land deals Deep understanding of zoning, entitlements, and development processes in Florida (Orange/Osceola preferred) Experience with high-end hotel, resort, or luxury condo projects strongly preferred Strong financial acumen, including underwriting and feasibility analysis Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on ? What Success Looks Like Identifying and securing high-value land opportunities in competitive markets Bringing well-conceived, market-aligned luxury projects from concept to shovel-ready Seamlessly aligning finance, design, and sales strategies into executable developments