Land Acquisition Manager
Description

Job Purpose

To secure a consistent pipeline of strategically aligned land opportunities that support the Company’s long-term growth, pacing targets, and geographic expansion objectives and leads those opportunities from initial sourcing through contract execution and internal underwriting kickoff.


Key Responsibilities

  • Build and manage strategic relationships with landowners, developers, brokers, and other industry partners to generate acquisition opportunities in target and expansion markets.
  • Source, evaluate, and advance land opportunities aligned with the Company’s 3-year Builder order and long-term growth strategy.
  • Prepare and negotiate Letters of Intent outlining key business terms, financial assumptions, and deal structure for Leadership review.
  • Lead negotiation of acquisition terms and coordinate development of Agreements of Sale in conjunction with the Legal Assistant and external legal counsel.
  • Maintain primary ownership and accountability for each land opportunity from initial sourcing through completion of due diligence.
  • Maintain ownership of the Agreement of Sale, including all negotiations, modifications, and contractual obligations, through settlement.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for the Seller from initial engagement through settlement, ensuring consistent communication and relationship management.
  • Own the coordination and kickoff of the internal underwriting process, ensuring alignment across Construction, Finance, Operations, and Sales.
  • Collaborate with Leadership, Finance, Operations, and the Director of Land Development to ensure ongoing alignment of land strategy, product positioning, and project feasibility.
  • Support acquisition strategy by coordinating with the Director of Land Development on zoning considerations, entitlement risk, and municipal dynamics as it relates to deal structuring.
  • Represent the Company in municipal meetings, community engagements, and stakeholder discussions as required.
  • Maintain disciplined pipeline tracking and organized due diligence documentation within company systems.
  • Leads and manages easement acquisition efforts associated with land transactions as required.

Accountability

  • Deliver land opportunities sufficient to meet or exceed the Builder’s established 3-year order targets.
  • Maintain primary ownership and accountability for land opportunities from initial sourcing through completion of due diligence.
  • Maintain accountability for the Agreement of Sale, including all negotiations, modifications, and contractual obligations, through settlement.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for the Seller, ensuring consistent communication, relationship management, and successful navigation of all acquisition-related milestones through settlement.
  • Ensure all acquisition opportunities are thoroughly documented, clearly communicated, and positioned for executive evaluation and decision-making.
  • Own the coordination of the due diligence and underwriting process, ensuring timely input, alignment, and decision readiness across internal stakeholders.
  • Ensure a clear and complete transition of each project into Land Development through organized documentation, communication of key assumptions, and identification of risks and outstanding items.

Expectations

  • Proactively identify opportunities ahead of competitors.
  • Maintain a forward-looking understanding of market trends, land values, regulatory environments, and municipal dynamics. 
  • Present opportunities clearly and decisively to Leadership.
  • Build trust-based, long-term partnerships in both active and expansion markets.
  • Maintain disciplined CRM documentation and pipeline visibility.

Authority

  • Negotiate Letters of Intent and core business terms in land transactions. 
  • Represent the Company in municipal meetings and strategic discussions. 
  • Engage legal counsel for contract drafting and revisions. 
  • Recommend pursuit, renegotiation, or termination of acquisition opportunities.

Relationships (Internal/External)

  • Internal:
    Managing Partner, Senior Director of Business Development, Director of Land Development, Finance, Operations, Construction
  • External:
    Landowners, Developers, Brokers, Municipal Officials, Attorneys, Engineers
Requirements
  • 5+ years of experience in land acquisition, real estate development, or related residential markets.
  • Demonstrated experience sourcing and negotiating land transactions, including preparation of Letters of Intent and coordination of purchase agreements.
  • Demonstrated high level of emotional intelligence and executive presence in interactions with external partners and internal leadership.
  • Strong financial acumen with ability to evaluate land value, development economics, and market feasibility.
  • Working knowledge of zoning regulations, municipal processes, and real estate contract structures.
  • Proven ability to build strategic relationships and communicate effectively with landowners, brokers, municipalities, and internal leadership.