Work with the senior leadership team, functional leads and GEO leadership to develop and implement business strategies and operational policies and process. Directly manage and lead a team of development managers and relevant support team members. Provide guidance, leadership, support and mentorship to the development team in order to grow individuals within the team and to identify issues and opportunities early in development process for all project and program types including NSOs, refreshes, MEP equipment replacements, fleet wide programs, and complex design issues in operational stores. Ensure that projects are set up properly and with best practice processes and systems to ensure the teams can operate efficiently and effectively using the business workflow process and Apple Standards of quality and design. Support the development team to manage the project’s schedule, budget, quality, safety, and facilities turnover. Drive functional and operational excellence of all projects and programs by providing consistent and prescript feedback to all cross functional teams including real estate, design, innovation, standards, merchandising, direct sourcing, security, IS&T, etc. Partner and collaborate with various internal Apple teams to ensure alignment between the RE&D team and the wider Operational Business to ensure the successful creation and implementation of tools, systems and processes. Sign-off the project performance, budget and schedule at relevant and key stages within the workflow process (Gate1, Gate2, Schematic Design Review, GC Contract signing). Relationship management and responsibility for appointing and signing off major external partners and contracts to include Architect, Cost Consultant and General Contractor. Oversight of development and procurement of FFE, bespoke materials, specialty equipment, including establishing performance criteria, mocking-up, testing, QA/QC and strategic implementation of new initiatives. Management of commissioning agents and the proper commissioning of all installed systems and infrastructure to ensure operations are aligned with Apple Standards and the design intent. Management of the closeout process, warranty, construction defects and design errors and omissions, as well as turnover of the project or program to the facilities team. Review of lease terms and collaborate with leasing manager to obtain all necessary approvals from the Landlord. Engage and maintain positive working relationships with local government jurisdictions/departments, works council, etc. Engagement of general contractors, consultants, and vendors including competitive bidding and negotiation including SOWs, CPSAs, and project specific contracts. Review of all proposals, and change order requests from the consultants, general contractors, suppliers and subcontracts for alignment with Apple policies and procedures, and striving for best value to Apple.