Director of Land Acquisition

Director of Land Acquisition Atlanta

Position Overview:

Center Park Group (CPG), a leading residential and Build-to-Rent (BTR) homebuilder in the Southeast, is seeking an experienced Director of Land Acquisition to drive our growth in the Atlanta market. This role will focus on sourcing, analyzing, and securing land opportunities that align with our plan for both for-sale residential communities and BTR developments.

The ideal candidate will be well-connected in the Atlanta real estate and development community, with a strong understanding of market trends, zoning, entitlements, and land valuation. This individual will play a key role in building our land pipeline, negotiating land deals, and collaborating with internal teams to ensure the successful execution of projects from contract to close.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and source land opportunities for both for-sale residential and BTR development in target submarkets across Atlanta and surrounding areas.
• Analyze market data and site feasibility (e.g., zoning, utilities, environmental conditions, and pricing).
• Build and maintain strong broker, developer, and landowner relationships to generate a consistent pipeline of off-market and on-market deals.
• Prepare and present detailed land acquisition packages (financial models, project budgets, risk analyses, and market studies) for senior leadership approval.
• Lead negotiations on land purchase contracts, option agreements, and joint ventures.
• Collaborate with the pre-construction, development, and finance teams to ensure smooth transitions from entitlement & permitting to acquisition to development & construction.
• Monitor local land-use trends, zoning regulations, and municipal planning efforts to stay ahead of market shifts.
• Represent CPG at industry events and meetings to enhance brand visibility and build strategic relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, Business, Finance, or related field.
• 5 years of experience in land acquisition, residential development, or related roles (experience in Atlanta strongly preferred).
• Proven track record of successfully sourcing and closing residential or BTR land deals.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to build and review proformas and underwriting models.
• In-depth knowledge of zoning, entitlements, and land development processes.
• Excellent negotiation, relationship-building, and communication skills.
• Self-motivated and entrepreneurial, with the ability to work independently while contributing to a team.

Goals & Expectations

First 90 Days:

• Build a deep understanding of CPG’s business model, product types, and target submarkets.
• Develop and present a market heat map highlighting priority Atlanta submarkets for for-sale and BTR development.
• Establish a pipeline of at least 3 viable land opportunities (off-market and on-market).

First 6 Months:

• Deliver 2–3 land sites under contract that align with CPG’s acquisition criteria.
• Build key relationships with top brokers, developers, and municipal officials in target submarkets.
• Collaborate with the team to refine CPG’s Atlanta land acquisition strategy based on market feedback.

First 12 Months:

• Successfully close on at least 2-3 land or finished lot deals ready for development, representing both for-sale and BTR communities.
• Establish a sustainable acquisition pipeline capable of supporting 50 "for-sale" home starts annually in the Atlanta market.
• Establish a pipeline of potential BTR sites that can be developed in joint venture partnerships with multifamily development clients. 
• Position CPG as a preferred buyer among brokers and landowners in Atlanta.

EEO Statement

Center Park Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of color, religion, national origin, age, genetics, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, or other legally protected status in employment opportunities and benefits.