Real Estate Development Manager - Brazil

About the Role

We are a growing international real estate investment group expanding into the Brazilian market. We are looking for a hands-on Development Manager to lead our local operations and drive residential projects from site identification through to delivery.

This is an execution-oriented role —not a pure advisory or land-sourcing position. You will be the key person on the ground, managing day-to-day development activities, coordinating with local consultants and authorities, and serving as the primary liaison with our China-based headquarters.

Key Responsibilities

I. Land Acquisition & Feasibility

• Identify and evaluate residential development opportunities in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and surrounding metropolitan areas.
• Build and maintain relationships with landowners, real estate brokers, and local government agencies to source off-market and on-market opportunities.
• Lead preliminary feasibility studies, including market research, cost estimation, and basic financial modeling.
• Support the negotiation and acquisition process, coordinating with legal teams on due diligence and title verification.

II. Planning & Approvals

• Manage the municipal licensing and permitting process for residential projects.
• Coordinate with city halls, environmental agencies, and utility providers to secure all necessary approvals.
• Monitor urban planning policies and zoning regulations to ensure project compliance and identify potential risks early.

III. Project Coordination & Delivery

• Coordinate with architects, engineers, and design consultants to develop project designs that balance commercial viability, regulatory compliance, and buildability.
• Support budget preparation and cost monitoring throughout the development cycle.
• Track project schedules and milestones, flagging issues and working with contractors and consultants to resolve them.
• Support the procurement and tendering process for construction contracts and key suppliers.

IV. Financial & Reporting Support

• Prepare project reports, feasibility summaries, and cost breakdowns for China HQ.
• Work with local financial institutions and the group finance team to support project financing arrangements.
• Assist in preparing investment approval documentation for internal decision-making.

V. Cross-Cultural Communication

• Act as the day-to-day interface between China HQ and local project stakeholders.
• Translate business requirements between Chinese and Portuguese contexts, ensuring clear communication on both sides.
• Regularly report project progress, risks, and financial updates to HQ.

Key Qualifications

Experience

• 5–8 years of real estate development or project management experience in Brazil.
• Experience in São Paulo state or Rio de Janeiro state real estate markets.
• Demonstrated involvement in residential projects from land acquisition to delivery (end-to-end exposure preferred).
• Experience working on the developer/investor/client side is preferred.

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering , Architecture , Urban Planning, Real Estate, Business Administration, or a related field.
• CREA or CAU registration is a plus.
• PMP, MBA, or postgraduate qualifications in Project Management or Real Estate are advantageous.

Language Requirements

• Mandarin Chinese : Fluent (spoken and written) – essential for reporting to and communicating with China HQ.
• Portuguese : Fluent (spoken and written) – required for engaging with local authorities, consultants, contractors, and partners.
• English : Professional working proficiency is a plus.

Core Skills & Attributes

• Execution-focused : Willing to get hands-on with site visits, design meetings, permit applications, and day-to-day project issues.
• Strong organizational skills : Ability to manage multiple workstreams and meet deadlines.
• Good communication and negotiation skills : Able to build rapport with diverse local stakeholders.
• Financial literacy : Comfortable with project budgets, cost tracking, and basic feasibility analysis.
• Problem-solving mindset : Able to identify issues and propose practical solutions.
• Cross-cultural adaptability : Comfortable bridging Chinese and Brazilian business cultures.
• Existing local network in the Brazilian real estate sector is highly desirable.