At Cumming Group, you will work on some of the world's most exciting projects in a dynamic environment where your success is measured by the impact you make. We are one of the fastest-growing project and cost management consultancies in the United States, as reflected in our top 10 rankings in ENR. With over 60 offices globally, an extremely diverse project portfolio, and double-digit year-over-year revenue growth, the opportunities to make your mark are limitless!
This position is with Seneca Group, a Cumming Group affiliate, who delivers top-tier real estate advisory and development management services on projects ranging from 10,000 to over 1 million square feet across corporate office, education, luxury residential, civic and cultural, healthcare, and life sciences across North America and select EMEA and APAC markets. As part of Seneca Group’s continued growth, we are seeking a skilled Associate Principal based in our DMV office in Arlington, VA. This role will play a key part in providing superior client service, delivering exceptional projects, and supporting the continued growth of the firm.
If you’re looking to join a team of exceptional people working with recognized clients on high-profile, complex projects - and make a real impact - we’d love to meet you.
Overview:
The Associate Principal is a leadership role responsible for guiding complex real estate development initiatives while providing strategic leadership to clients, project teams, and the broader office. This position builds upon core development management responsibilities with an elevated focus on client leadership, account management, mentorship, and contribution to office operations and growth.
The Associate Principal serves as a trusted advisor to clients, leading projects from early feasibility and entitlement through design, construction, and closeout. In parallel, the role actively shapes team culture, develops future leaders, supports business development efforts, and partners with firm leadership to advance Seneca Group’s strategic objectives.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Development & Project Leadership
Lead one or multiple complex projects of varying scale.
Establish and oversee development strategies, including feasibility analysis, entitlement pathways, procurement strategies, budgets, schedules, and delivery plans.
Maintain accountability for project scope, cost, schedule, quality, and risk management throughout the project lifecycle.
Oversee entitlement, permitting, and agency coordination efforts.
Direct and integrate multidisciplinary consultant teams, including architects, engineers, and specialty consultants.
Review and validate cost estimates, value engineering recommendations, and contractor pricing.
Negotiate and administer major consultant, construction, and development-related contracts.
Provide senior-level construction management oversight to ensure alignment with development objectives.
Client & Account Leadership
Along with the Principal, serve as the primary senior point of contact for assigned clients and accounts.
Build and sustain long-term, trusted client relationships through proactive communication, responsiveness, and performance excellence.
Lead client decision-making processes by presenting clear analyses, options, and recommendations.
Identify opportunities to expand services within existing accounts and support revenue growth through repeat and follow-on work.
Partner with firm leadership to support proposal development, contract negotiations, and staffing strategies.
Team Leadership & Mentorship
Lead, mentor, and develop internal project teams through coaching, performance feedback, and professional development planning.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Guide senior project staff in managing complex client relationships and project challenges.
Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new team members.
Office & Firm Leadership
Support office operations, resource planning, and workload balancing in coordination with regional and firm leadership.
Contribute to business development participating in pursuits and fostering industry relationships.
Represent Seneca Group’s values and leadership philosophy in both internal and external settings.
Promote best practices, knowledge sharing, and process improvements across teams.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Maintain regular attendance during normal business hours, with on-site presence at the office and project sites as required.
Knowledge & Skills Required:
Demonstrated expertise in real estate development management and delivery of complex projects.
Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams and mentor senior professionals.
Strong financial acumen, including development budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
Advanced problem-solving and risk management capabilities.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentations.
Ability to balance project execution responsibilities with broader business and leadership objectives.
Strong client leadership skills with a consultative, solutions-oriented mindset.
Preferred Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree required in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Real Estate, Urban Planning, or a related field.
Minimum of 15+ years of demonstrated experience in commercial real estate development management, project management, design, engineering, and/or construction, including significant leadership and client-facing responsibilities.
Experience delivering large-scale, complex development projects.
Technical or sector-specific expertise in commercial office, healthcare, life sciences, education, research & development, cultural, luxury residential, and/or complex mixed-use projects.
Experience delivering projects involving secure facilities, including SCIFs (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities).
Established client relationships and market presence within the assigned region is preferred.
Experience contributing to business development, account growth, and office operations preferred.
Willingness to travel domestically (approximately 10–25%).
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The salary range for this full-time role is $175,000.00-$200,000.00 per year. Ranges are determined based on the position, geography, client and industry experience and level, and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range reflects base salary only, and not the total compensation package. Cumming Group reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range, depending on a candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications, including client requirements.
Cumming Group is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity in its personnel policies and practices. It is Cumming Group’s policy to recruit, hire, train and promote Team Members and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, registered domestic partner status, genetic information, sexual preference, sexual orientation, gender (including gender expression and gender identity), pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions, including breastfeeding), military service, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, veteran status or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. All such decisions are based on (1) individual merit, qualifications, and competence as they relate to the particular position, and (2) promotion of the principle of equal employment opportunity.
All other terms and conditions of employment, such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoff, return from layoff, training, education, and social and recreational programs, are administered without regard to the characteristics described above. To this end, Cumming Group complies with all provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, all of the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor, and all similar state and local laws.
In addition to base salary, Cumming Group offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
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