Director, Business Development - Atlanta, GA

Director, Business Development - Atlanta, GA

At Cortland, we operate with a forward-thinking approach that challenges conventional norms and actively seeks insights beyond traditional industry boundaries. As a recognized leader in the multifamily sector, our focus on performance, innovation, and disciplined execution continues to drive strong growth and market leadership. We are committed to building a best-in-class organization by empowering top talent with the resources, autonomy, and support needed to deliver results and advance their careers in a high-performance environment.

Role Overview As the Director, Business Development, you'll drive growth by identifying, pursuing, and securing new third-party management opportunities within the multifamily industry. You’ll build relationships with owners, investors, and developers while managing opportunities from initial prospecting through contract execution and successful transition to Operations.

Business Development & Pipeline Growth

• Identify and qualify new business opportunities with multifamily owners, institutional investors, developers, and strategic partners.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified opportunities through market research, networking, referrals, and industry events.
• Develop targeted business development strategies for assigned markets, ownership groups, and prospective clients.
• Maintain accurate CRM records and regularly report on pipeline activity, forecasts, conversion metrics, and business development results.

Deal Execution

• Manage opportunities throughout the business development lifecycle, from initial outreach through proposal development and contract execution.
• Lead underwriting, proposal development, pitch presentations, and contract negotiations with prospective clients.
• Evaluate opportunities using market, operational, and financial insights to support informed business decisions.
• Coordinate the transition of newly secured business to Operations and other internal partners to support a successful onboarding and launch.

Client & Industry Relationships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with prospective and existing clients, including owners, investors, developers, and other key industry partners.
• Understand client investment objectives, operational priorities, and portfolio needs to develop tailored management solutions.
• Represent the company at conferences, client meetings, industry events, and networking functions.
• Serve as a brand ambassador by clearly communicating the value of the company’s management platform, capabilities, and services.

Market & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Monitor multifamily market trends, ownership changes, transaction activity, new development, and competitive dynamics to identify growth opportunities.
• Partner with Operations, Marketing, Finance, and leadership to develop compelling proposals and ensure new opportunities align with operational capabilities.
• Share market and client insights with internal stakeholders to support business development priorities and decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Finance, or a related field; MBA or CPM preferred.

• 3+ years of business development experience in multifamily property management, real estate investment, or a related industry.

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with multifamily owners, investors, developers, and other industry stakeholders.

• Proven ability to develop a pipeline, advance opportunities, and close new business.

• Strong understanding of multifamily operations, market dynamics, and financial fundamentals.

• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

• Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to evaluate opportunities and understand deal economics.

• Entrepreneurial and results-driven, with a strong focus on prospecting and relationship development.

• Collaborative and persuasive, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.

• Highly organized with strong pipeline, CRM, and follow-through discipline.

• Ability to travel regularly for client meetings, property visits, conferences, and industry events.

• About Cortland

• Founded in 2005, Cortland is an international, vertically integrated multifamily real estate investment, development, and management firm with a resident-centric approach to living experiences. Recognized as one of the top 10 multifamily owners and operators in the US, Cortland combines in-house design, construction, and operations to deliver value and innovation across its portfolio.

• Join us as we reimagine apartment living and drive outsized returns through purpose, performance, and people.

• Cortland is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud to support and celebrate diversity in the workplace. We are committed to equal consideration for all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

• Cortland is a drug-free workplace.