Development Controller – Real Estate Development
Location: Pikesville, Maryland
About Us
Sage Ventures is a vertically integrated real estate development and construction company based in Maryland. We specialize in the development, construction, ownership, and management of high-quality residential communities — including for-sale townhomes, condominiums, and multi-family rental properties.
As we continue to expand into large-scale, mixed-use and luxury multi-family projects, we are seeking a highly capable and strategic Development Controller to lead all aspects of financial planning, cash flow management, and project-level financial strategy.
The Development Controller will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for providing strategic financial direction and oversight across the company’s development and construction operations.
This role requires deep experience in real estate development finance, including cash flow modeling, project-level forecasting, capital planning, and financial analysis that supports operational and investment decisions. The ideal candidate is both analytical and strategic — someone who can anticipate capital needs, optimize funding strategies, and provide actionable insight to ownership and project leadership teams.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Serve as a financial partner to ownership and the executive team, contributing to company-wide strategic planning and decision-making.
- Develop long-term financial forecasts and capital strategies to support growth across multiple active developments.
- Evaluate new project opportunities and acquisitions through detailed pro formas and scenario modeling.
Cash Flow Management & Forecasting
- Prepare, maintain, and continuously refine detailed cash flow projections for all active projects and corporate operations.
- Anticipate funding needs and manage capital allocation between projects, lenders, and partners.
- Oversee draw schedules, loan requisitions, and funding coordination with lenders and investors.
- Ensure adequate liquidity for ongoing construction and development operations.
Project & Operational Finance
- Collaborate with development, construction, and property management teams to align financial planning with operational realities.
- Analyze construction budgets, schedules, and cost reports to identify financial risks and opportunities.
- Support project executives and development managers with accurate financial data for key decision-making.
Corporate Financial Oversight
- Oversee accounting, financial reporting, and compliance
- Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for ownership, investors, and lenders.
- Manage relationships with external auditors, tax professionals, and financial institutions.
Team Leadership & Development
- Build and mentor a high-performing finance team that supports both project-level and corporate financial functions.
- Establish processes and reporting systems that enhance visibility, accuracy, and efficiency across departments.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a senior role within real estate development, construction, or investment.
- Proven success managing development project cash flows, including lender draws.
- Deep understanding of real estate financial modeling, pro forma analysis, and project accounting.
- Strong ability to translate financial insights into strategic, operational recommendations.
Preferred Background
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business (MBA or CPA strongly preferred).
- Experience with vertically integrated or developer-builder organizations.
- Advanced proficiency with Excel-based financial modeling, development software, and accounting platforms.
Key Attributes
- Strategic and forward-thinking, with the ability to anticipate financial challenges before they arise.
- Highly analytical with exceptional attention to detail.
- Clear communicator capable of distilling complex financial data into actionable insight.
- Collaborative, proactive, and aligned with the fast-paced, entrepreneurial nature of a development company.
Benefits:
This position requires the ability to regularly climb stairs, inspect and show the community, and occasionally bend, stoop, squat, reach above the shoulder, push or pull doors, and lift or carry packages up to 30 lbs.
Sage Ventures is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.
Our goal at Sage Ventures is to maximize value for all stakeholders, including employees, investors, and tenants. We strive to make a positive impact on the greater communities in which we operate. We take advantage of new opportunities, using our resources and agility to make good decisions quickly.
As a resident, choosing Sage means choosing a professional, experienced management team, which provides exceptional service in a quality home environment. Personable staff and our aim to nurture relationships with our clients, ensure that our tenants feel part of the larger Sage Management family.
Sage’s strict adherence to fair housing laws promises that our tenants will not encounter discrimination on any level.
